Fam 10 Discuss Items

=Vortex Ring State= VORTEX RING STATE (POWER SETTLING) Vortex ring state is an uncommanded rate of descent caused by the helicopter settling into its own downwash. In this state, the flow through the rotor system is upward near the center of the rotor disk and downward in the outer portion. This results in zero net thrust from the rotor and extremely high aircraft descent rates. Vortex ring state is not restricted to high gross weights or high density altitudes. It may not be recognized and a recovery effected until considerable altitude has been lost. Helicopter rotor theory indicates that it is most likely to occur when descent rates exceed 800 feet per minute during Indications to the pilot are: Recover by:
 * (1) vertical descents initiated from a hover and
 * (2) steep approaches at less than 40 KIAS.
 * 1. Rapid descent rate increase
 * 2. Increase in overall vibration level
 * 3. Loss of control effectiveness.
 * 1. Decrease collective.
 * 2. Forward cyclic to gain airspeed.

WARNING Increasing collective has no effect toward recovery and will aggravate VRS. During approaches less than 40kts do not exceed 800fpm.

If impact is imminent:
 * 3. Level aircraft to conform to terrain.

(changed per NATOPS change transmitted 3 DEC 07)

=Control Feedback= (NATOPS 11.11) Feedback in the cyclic stick or collective stick is caused by high loads in the control system. These loads are generated during severe maneuvers and can be of sufficient magnitude to overpower or feed through the main boost cylinders and into the cyclic and/or collective stick. The pilot will feel this feedback as an oscillatory shaking of the controls even though he may not be making control inputs after the maneuver is established. This type of feedback will normally vary with the severity of the maneuver. The pilot should regard it as a clue that high control system loads are occurring and should immediately reduce the severity of the maneuver.

=Any previously briefed EP or Limitation= Uh,... Yep

=Solo Guidelines=

Solo students are specifically prohibited from performing: 1. sliding landings 2. autorotations (all types) 3. simulated engine failures 4. boost-off flight 5. simulated tail rotor malfunctions 6. no-hover landings 7. simulated emergencies 8. maximum load takeoffs 9. the carrying of passengers.

=RWOP/SOP=

RWOP
Weather Mins 1000-3		Min for FAM Solos (SVFR no longer allowed by RWOP)

Wind / Turbulance <15 kts and or gusts <20 kts	Hold all SNA Solos/Dual FAM’s When gusts exceed 15kts the ODO/FDO shall request a PIREP from any OLF where solos will be or are currently operating

tail wind	SNA solo takeoff / landing prohibited

Student solo flights shall not operate after sunset or prior to sunrise.

Solo flights shall have their position lights on Steady Bright.

SNA solos shall not accept an aircraft that has one engine chip/trans chip or more within a 50 hour period.

Wingers observing other SNA flights shall have flown as pilot at the controls within the previous 15 days (may be 13 days depending on what RWOP version you have, see page 4-1), in the model aircraft in which the solo is flown.

Solos aircraft shall append the word "solo" after their call sign on every radio transmission.

Solo Aircraft shall not request a short approach, but may execute a short approach if directed by South Whiting Tower.

SOP
Make sure you look at YOUR squadron's SOLO SOP, they may be different from what is here...

HT-28, look at appendix A in the Squadron SOP handout.

Crew Rest. The minimum crew rest between a syllabus safe-for-solo check flight and the solo event is one hour. The rest period commences at the end of the check ride debrief and ends when ready to brief the solo flight. The rest period can include time spent post-flight at the crash crew building of OLF Spencer or in transit to NAS Whiting as a passenger.

The crew day for solo day is 10 hrs long.

SNA/Winger Warm-up Criteria. Solo observers must have flown as a pilot at the controls within 13 days prior to the date of the event to be observed. SNA warm-up criteria is described in the Master Curriculum Guide.

Contact solos are required to leave NOLF Spencer no later than 20 minutes prior to official sunset with no less than 25 gallons of fuel and be on deck by official sunset. The weather pilot shall ensure that all solos have departed and will be on deck by sunset.

Hotseats to or from Contact solos shall be conducted on the flight line. Students shall turn on on the seachlight to get preferred parking.

Solo aircraft are not permitted to taxi into the fuel pits.