Late November Newsletter

Check rides
Those of you talking check rides this weekend, go on the Facebook page and leave a comment with some information about you ride!

Aerodynamics
The previous two newsletters talked about the airfoil and ETL, refer back if you need a refresher.

Transverse Flow Effect
The definition from the Helicopter Oral Exam guide is, "As the helicopter accelerates in forward flight, induced flow drops near zero at the forward disc area and increases at the aft disc area. This increases the AoA at the front disc area causing the rotor blade to flap up, and reduces AoA at the aft disc are causing the rotor blade to flap down. The result is a tendency for the helicopter to roll slightly to the right as it accelerates through approximately 20 kts or if the headwind is approximately 20 kts."

At the aft section the airflow is coming in vertically.

(Causing smaller AoA)

The forward disc section has air moving in horizontally.

(Causing larger AoA)

This causes unequal amounts of lift over the rotor system(dissymmetry of lift). When dissymmetry of lift happens, blade flapping accounts for it, which then the forward disc flaps up to reduce the AoA and the aft disc flaps down the increase AoA. For the most part this equalizes lift over the rotor system, but not completely. So there is a force downward on the rotors in the aft section and upward on the rotors in the forward section. Gyroscopic Precession tells us that with the spinning disc those forces will be seen about 90 degrees later in the direction of rotation(a force upward on the left section and downward on the right section). This is the cause of the right roll. When ever blade flapping occurs, vibrations occur, in transverse flow effect there is a lot of flapping to account for dissymmetry of lift, causing the vibrations.

When you get TFE?

-Accelerating through about 20kts

-With 20kts of relative wind into the rotor system

Symptoms?

-Vibrations

-Roll right

Pilot action?

Continue accelerating into ETL

Commercial Answer

Going through the photo flight scenario from last newsletter and asking the question....

Is this flight on the commercial certificate alone or with a company?

If Alone, is the job listed in part 119?

      If Yes, 

            If common carriage is Not involved, then can be done, just make sure you comply with and other limitations listed in part 119

            If common carriage is involved, then cannot do it.

      

      If No, then most likely cannot be done.... Unless It can be considered a "Private carriage" flight.

If Company, is the company, pilot, and helicopter certified for the operation? (EX. an agriculture part 137 job needs an 137 operator, 137 helicopter, and 137 check out pilot)

      If yes, then can do.

      If No, then must get rated to do the job.

If ever common carriage is involved, then the job needs to be done under part 135 or part 121.

This job is done on your own and as long as common carriage is not involved you can do it.

There is no distance limitation on photo flights that the regs say anyways.

Landing to get fuel is necessary for the flight to be accomplished as long as the photographer doesn't take any pictures on the ground or purchase anything at the fuel stops.

You can advertise for this because common carriage is still not involved as long as you do not transport person or property, so make sure that you terminate the flight at the same airport you started the flight at.

Resources 

Commercial forum
For some help regarding commercial photo flights, this forum mainly talks about photo flight distance limitation.
Here is a Link to JustHelicopters.com

Company website

For some information about LEA’s flight school, maintenance facility, commercial operations, or aircraft sales, visit the company website.

Here is a Link to FlyBend.com

Facebook

Also Flow Leading Edge on Facebook

Here is a Link to the Facebook page.

NTSB Accident Report

For a search query of reports accidents to the NTSB

Here is a Link to ntsb.gov

R22 Preflight written instructions, here is a good Link with pictures and text about a R22 preflight.

And this is the sublink that goes to and miscellaneous page with some really good information about the helicopter and components that aren't identified on the preflight check list.

November Newsletter

Quick Reminder about

Schedule Pointe

The schedule change frequently due to maintenance, check rides, and other conflicts. To avoid missing a scheduled appointment CHECK THE SCHEDULE EACH NIGHT FOR THE FOLLOWING DAY TO CONFIRM FLIGHTS, GROUNDS, AND TIMES. 

Aerodynamics

The previous newsletter talked about the basic aerodynamics acting on the airfoil.

This newsletter will talk about Effective Translational Lift (ETL). Next newsletter will talk about Transverse Flow Effect

Accelerating from hovering flight into forward flight the induced airflow over the rotors decreases and becomes more horizontal(translational lift), this is because as the helicopter moves forwards it creates a horizontal wind which lowers the relative wind and increases AoA.

When translational lift covers the entire rotor system that is when we call in "Effective" translational lift.

Note: Any amount of airflow moving horizontally into the rotors will increase lift, the most noticeable point is at ETL. As the helicopter accelerates faster than ETL the airflow is even more horizontal and further increases lift. 

Commercial Question

Someone calls you asking if he can pay you to fly him to the Columbia river to take photos of some wind surfers.

The flight will depart BDN and fly north to the river(about 80NM away) and return the same day to BDN.

Can a commercial rated pilot accept payment for this job?

Ask these questions to figure it out: "Can a commercial certificated pilot do this?"

Is this flight on the commercial certificate alone or with a company?

If Alone, is the job listed in part 119?

      If Yes, 

            If common carriage is Not involved, then can be done, just make sure you comply with and other limitations listed in part 119

            If common carriage is involved, then cannot do it.

      

      If No, then most likely cannot be done.... Unless It can be considered a "Private carriage" flight.

If Company, is the company, pilot, and helicopter certified for the operation? (EX. an agriculture part 137 job needs an 137 operator, 137 helicopter, and 137 check out pilot)

      If yes, then can do.

      If No, then must get rated to do the job.

If ever common carriage is involved, then the job needs to be done under part 135 or part 121.

Answer: I'll post the answer on the next newsletter.

Resources 

Commercial forum


For some help regarding commercial photo flights, this forum mainly talks about photo flight distance limitation.
Here is a Link to JustHelicopters.com

Company website

For some information about LEA’s flight school, maintenance facility, commercial operations, or aircraft sales, visit the company website.

Here is a Link to FlyBend.com

Facebook

Also Flow Leading Edge on Facebook

Here is a Link to the Facebook page.

NTSB Accident Report

For a search query of reports accidents to the NTSB

Here is a Link to ntsb.gov

R22 Preflight written instructions, here is a good Link with pictures and text about a R22 preflight.

And this is the sublink that goes to and miscellaneous page with some really good information about the helicopter and components that aren't identified on the preflight check list.

Mid October Newsletter

Understanding Airflow into the Rotors

Induced airflow - Air flowing vertically down through the rotors, it is a byproduct of the production of lift. High induced airflow means more vertical flow or faster vertical flow.











Angle of Attack(AoA) - Is the angle between the chord line of the rotors and the relative wind acting on the rotors.





Horizontal airflow(translational lift) - Airflow which is moving across or horizontally over the rotor disk, it is due to forward movement or wind.

Up flow - Air coming vertically up though the rotors.

Relative wind - With respect to the airfoil relative wind is the combination of all air acting on the airfoil: induced airflow, horizontal airflow, rotational velocity, and up flow.

Rotational Velocity - Relative wind acting horizontally on the rotors due to their rotation.

The combination of rotational velocity(horizontal) airflow and induced airflow(vertical) create relative wind.

Increasing induced airflow decreases AoA by changing the relative wind to flow slightly more vertically into the rotors.
Decreasing induced airflow increases the AoA.








Something similar happens when the rotational velocity is increased, it causes induced airflow to have less of an effect on the total relative wind. This creates a higher AoA.


























Horizontal airflow(translation lift) is created by either the helicopter accelerating into forward flight or wind blowing towards the helicopter, this has the same effect as increasing rotational velocity, it increases horizontal movement into the rotors and decreases induced airflow, both of which increase AoA. Induced airflow decreases because clean air is moving into the rotor disc freely.

Next newsletter with compare this theory to ETL and ground effect.






Resources 

Company website

For some information about LEA’s flight school, maintenance facility, commercial operations, or aircraft sales, visit the company website.

Here is a Link to FlyBend.com

Facebook

Also Flow Leading Edge on Facebook

Here is a Link to the Facebook page.

NTSB Accident Report

For a search query of reports accidents to the NTSB

Here is a Link to ntsb.gov

R22 Preflight written instructions, here is a good Link with pictures and text about a R22 preflight.

And this is the sublink that goes to and miscellaneous page with some really good information about the helicopter and components that aren't identified on the preflight check list.

Mid September Newsletter

Check Ride Preparation

Many students are getting ready for check rides this Fall and it is vital that the student to prepared, equipped, and has everything needed for the check ride.

A good place to start to general requirements for the practical test(check ride) is in the FAR AIM. 

FAR Part 61.103(Private Pilot - Subpart E) Eligibility requirements

FAR Part 61.64 Instrument rating requirements 

FAR Part 61.123(Commercial Pilot - Subpart F) Eligibility requirements

FAR Part 61.183(Flight Instructor - Subpart H) Eligibility Requirements

Shortly after these regulation there are regs about flight proficiency, knowledge tests, and aeronautical experience.

You might also want to read FAR Part 61.43 Practical tests: General procedures and FAR Part 61.47 which tells you what the examiner's role is in the flight.

Here is a list of things that the student should bring to every check ride:

Books:

FAR AIM (2011 or 2012)

Appropriate POH

A/FD - Current

Rotorcraft flying handbook

Sectionals for local area - Current

Personal:

Driver's License 

Medical Certificate

Knowledge test official results

Logbook with all endorsements from instructor

Items for oral:

Manual weight and balance completed for flight

Flight plan completed

Knee board

Pencil

E6B computer

Timer(Stopwatch)

Weather charts:

-TAF

-METAR

-Low level significant weather chart

-Winds aloft

-Area forecast

-Standard Briefing(either notes for WX Brief phone call, or DUATs printable)

-Surface analysis

For examiner:

Check or cash

Practical check list(for Rob Grubb)

After you look at the regulations for your flight requirements, make sure to go through your look book and be able to find flight requirements and endorsements.

Show up to the check ride early and dress professionally!!

Check Ride Passes

Comment on your own check ride post with information about questioned you were asked or different maneuvers you had to do in the flight practical.

Schedule Pointe

There will be a recurring schedule for each student on Schedule Pointe for this Fall. This is only for flights, grounds are not schedule till the students and instructors schedule them individually. The schedule is recurring but that doesn't mean that a flight may be canceled for maintenance reasons or check ride priority. CHECK THE SCHEDULE EACH NIGHT FOR THE FOLLOWING DAY TO CONFIRM FLIGHTS, GROUNDS, AND TIMES. 

Resources 

Company website

For some information about LEA’s flight school, maintenance facility, commercial operations, or aircraft sales, visit the company website.

Here is a Link to FlyBend.com

Facebook

Also Flow Leading Edge on Facebook

Here is a Link to the Facebook page.

NTSB Accident Report

For a search query of reports accidents to the NTSB

Here is a Link to ntsb.gov

R22 Preflight written instructions, here is a good Link with pictures and text about a R22 preflight.

And this is the sublink that goes to and miscellaneous page with some really good information about the helicopter and components that aren't identified on the preflight check list.

Mid-August Newsletter

Check Ride Passes
Comment on your own check ride post with information about questioned you were asked or different maneuvers you had to do in the flight practical.

Performance question
Fly from Flight Craft at PDX to the blue outlined box near Mt Hood, plan to land at the best spot, then fly back to Troutdale.
Pax: (John)170lbs with 10lbs large rock that will fit under his seat.

Use Seattle Sectional for your chart



Weather:
PDX
Temp-16º
Dewpoint-11º
Wind is 10 kts from 270º True direction

Hood
Estimated temp/dewpoint-
Estimated wind-

Altimeter, get from appropriate weather chart for route=

Fill-in

DA =
PDX-
Hood-
At 11,000' MSL-

PA =
PDX-
Hood-
At 11,000' MSL-

OGE=
PDX-
Hood-

IGE=
PDX-
Hood-

OGE(after dropping rocks off)=
IGE(after dropping rocks off)=

Fuel
Total for trip-
To landing point-
To fuel stop(if applicable)-
From landing point(at Hood) to Troutdale-

Weight
At PDX-
At landing spot picking up-
After getting fuel(if applicable)-

Wind used
At Hood-
At trout dale when due back-

Pick the best landing spot available in the blue outlined box to land John and drop off his rocks. Then flying around taking pictures of Hood at 11,000' for 20 minutes. Then fly to Trout dale to terminate the flight.

Explain why the off-airport you chose looks the best on the chart.

Think about what A.S. to fly at, was is the best route to fly, any fuel stops available?
How much fuel will you use to get to landing spot at Hood, how much back, how can you help lose weight and carry more fuel?
What is the total time of the trip, could you make it at a later time of day for better conditions(look at Winds/temps Aloft forecast)?

Legal issue
John knows you through a friend and knows you are a Comm pilot and asks to do this flight and will pay you.

Can you do this flight, why or why not, if you can't what is the closest to this flight that you can do for John. You are Commercial pilot wanting to make money, how can you make this possible, what could you change?

What does you pax brief sound like to John?
(Read FAR Part 136.7 Passenger Briefings for guidelines)






Resources

Copter-Blog

This is a blog for better understanding of helicopter topics, like: aerodynamics, long
specific cross country planning, pre-flights of the Robinson Helicopters.
Blog created and managed by Adam Stockland, LEA instructor.
Here is a Link to copter blog

Company website

For some information about LEA’s flight school, maintenance facility, commercial operations, or aircraft sales, visit the company website.
Here is a Link to FlyBend.com

Facebook

Also Flow Leading Edge on Facebook
Here is a Link to the Facebook page.

NTSB Accident Report

For a search query of reports accidents to the NTSB
Here is a Link to ntsb.gov

Weather Underground

For information on weather, visit this Link to wunderground.com

R22 Preflight written instructions, here is a good Link with pictures and text about a R22 preflight.
And this is the sublink that goes to and miscellaneous page with some really good information about the helicopter and components that aren't identified on the preflight check list.