Advanced Helicopters-url

Whether you want to fly the Cobra, or really don't want to get stuck with it, start studying now. You can do all the Computer Based Trainers in approximately three days (or less) and you do not have to have picked up yet. ''[Due to the implementation of TIMS, this is no longer true. To access a CAI now, you must complete the prerequisite event - see Syllabus Flow below.]'' You do have to have been assigned to a squadron to get credit for classes but you can sit in them for no credit anytime, the class schedule is available at book issue. While you're there get your EP's, Course Rules and other books. Practice preflighting the helicopters in the hanger. Just wear a flight suit and walk on in and practice on any helicopter that is not currently being worked on. If you have questions, or wonder if it is all right if you look at a particular helicopter, ask any maintenance worker. It is a good idea to start by preflighting the Bravo model as that is what you will be flying for the first half of Advanced. The Bravos have only one Pitot tube under the nose, the Charlies have two.

=TH-57 B/C Manuals and FTIs= Each squadron has a "gouge" or "library" CD (usually with the SDO or Class Lead) with a lot of the pubs on it. Double-check to make sure they're CURRENT pubs, though! To make searching through the endless amount of pubs you're issued a bit easier, CNATRA has published electronic versions on their website. The main listing of TH-57 publications can be found at (https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/pubs/ppub_th_57_helo.htm). The individual pubs are listed here:


 * Intro to Helicopter Aerodynamics: (https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/pubs/folder5/TH57/P-401.pdf)
 * TH-57 B/C Systems: (https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/pubs/folder5/TH57/P-402_CH1.pdf)
 * Contact FTI (Procedures): (https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/pubs/folder5/TH57/P-457_CH1.pdf)
 * Instrument Navigation Workbook: (https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/pubs/folder5/TH57/P-403_CH1.pdf)
 * Instrument Flight Planning: (https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/pubs/folder5/TH57/P-404_CH1.pdf)
 * Instrument and Navigation FTI (Procedures): (https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/pubs/folder5/TH57/P-458_CH1.pdf)
 * Tactical and Formation FTI (Procedures): (https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/pubs/folder5/TH57/P-459_CH3.pdf)
 * TW-5 Rotary-Wing Operating Procedures Manual (RWOP): (https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/tw5/ht28/docs%5CRWOP.pdf)
 * TW-5 Instructions and Notices: (https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/tw5/pubs_instructions.asp)
 * NATOPS Instrument Flight Manual (NIFM): (http://info.publicintelligence.net/USNavy-InstrumentFlightManual.pdf)
 * OPNAV 3710.7U: (http://doni.daps.dla.mil/Directives/03000%20Naval%20Operations%20and%20Readiness/03-700%20Flight%20and%20Air%20Space%20Support%20Services/3710.7U.pdf)

A good source to refresh your memory when you get back into RIs and even some VNAV information is the T-34 FTIs, if you've long since burned them, find them here: (https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/pubs/ppub_t34_pri.htm)

If you want electronic versions of your NATOPS pubs (the "big one" and the PCL), look to NAVAIR's Airworthiness page. Use your NMCI email to request an account and you can download search-able and linked pdf files from the comfort of your own home.

=Ground School Tests= Then, of course study the gouge. In the first couple weeks you will have to take your:


 * Systems Test
 * Old Helicopter Aerodynamics Test (obsolete)
 * New Helicopter Aerodynamics Test (sample test questions now available)

For the Systems test, Hargraves as well as the Italian gouge are HIGHLY recommended as a study aid.

Any SNA's taking the new Aero test (after 01-MAR-2007) please post anything that may be helpful.

The current text (02-NOV-2007) for Aerodynamics is abysmal. [CNATRA still has the old text posted on its website...https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/pubs/ppub_th_57_helo.htm, so use it and the FAA Rotorcraft Flying Handbook if you're having problems finding the answers to the ELO's]] Resorting to API mode (ie: knowing the ELOs, end of chapter questions, and gouge) is definitely the way to go. Find Mr. D'Ambra for further classification of any problem areas. He had a hand in writing the 4 versions of the exam!

Before FAM 4 (C4004) you will have to take and pass the Course Rules test. It is recommended to take the class at least once before your FAM 1 (C4001), but wait to take the test until you have actually seen course rules from the air a couple of times. That is not required however, as soon as you have taken the class you are eligible to take the test.

=Cockpit Procedure Trainers (CPTs) & Emergency Procedures (EPs)= You will also begin your CPT instruction. You will be required to know the cockpit checklists and your Emergency Procedures.

As for the individual EPs you will see on each CPT hop, check out the [[media:CPT MPTS 001.jpg|Cockpit Procedures Trainer MPTS Sheet]].

There will also be a handful of required CPT comms to memorize. Consult the latest edition of the RWOP for exact phraseology once you leave CPTs on your way to the TH-57B. In addition you'll need to know all of the TH-57B limitations by your second CPT.

=Familiarization (FAM) Flights= In addition to the above ground school classes, you will also be required to take a FAM 0 class. This class is largely about how to preflight the TH-57, a mastery of which you will be expected to have by your FAM 0; practice preflighting while you have time. They will also cover basic weight and balance calculations for the TH-57.

You will then be ready to start your Familiarization flights. Much of the Helo Gouge is based on the Conner Gouge, by John Richerson, used without permission or prohibition.

If you want to leave the pattern on your flight you will need to know the Course Rules. You must take the Course Rules Test before FAM 4.

Prior to your C4390 Checkride you must take and pass the Open and Closed Book NATOPS exams. You can pick up a copy in your squadron STAN/NATOPS Office. The NATOPS open book exam can be taken home, and is recommended to be completed sometime in the C4100 or early C4200 blocks. Its an easy check to ensure you can flip the pages of your NATOPS book. The closed book test is a fill-in-the-blank written test that is administered and supervised in the squadron spaces. Usually around 20-30 blanks purely on limitations, EP indications, EP procedures, and EP notes/warnings/cautions. Know your EPs and you'll do fine. Its graded on a 4.0 point scale with a 3.3 needed to pass meaning you can miss around 6-8 blanks depending on your test.

=Helicopter Course Rules= Check out the new | Google Earth Package for Helicopter Advanced (updated with Santa Rosa, Pace, and Western arrival course rules) The course rules for Pace, Spencer and Site 8 may be also be viewed with Satellite photos on Google Maps here. Select 'Hybrid' or 'Satellite'. You can download them for Google Earth using the 'KML' link above the map. If you're assigned to Pace, you'll probably spend your first four flights at Site 8 / Santa Rosa (ref R&I: "C4001-4004 should not be flown at Pace").

=Tactics, TransFams, and Night Fam Flights= Tactics are flown in the 'B' model aircraft and so they usually follow FAM's. However, according to the MPTS flow chart you can go straight to Trans Fams so it is a good idea to start studying your 'C' model stuff at the same time as you prepare for Tactics.

After your first block of TransFams usually you get one Night Fam before you head to BI's. The second night flight is often held until you get back to the aircraft (after BIs) as is the second block of Trans Fams (after RI sims).

=Basic Instruments= Before you get to BI's you should have your BI courseware done. Get in the computer lab and spend about 3 hours knocking it out.

Next stop is with the Terasse Gouge. You need a system for flying your upcoming instrument hops and the Major's got a proven one for you.

BI's will start with five single-pumped (double pumped in HT-18 and HT-8) simulator flights, followed by six flights and a I4290 Checkride in the TH-57C. After your first block of BI flights, you should start completing your RI CAI lessons. Before your I4290 schedule to take the CRM-II class as well as your required RIFP review and INAV classes, so you have them done before RI's. Use the "down time" in BIs wisely...

=Visual (Day/Night) Navigation= VNAVs are generally flown after your BI sims or during/after your RI flights.

The best way to fly these are during a cross country after or during your BI sims.

Get with an IP after flying your first BI sim to plan a cross country and save yourself a ton of time planning and flying them locally later on in the syllabus.

=Radio Instruments= Radio instruments start with an EP simulator event, be prepared for compound EP's. Generally in the sims you will get approach after approach, so prepare by flying them in the RIOT trainer. Use the RIOT 6 BETA 6 if you have Windows Vista/7. Mac users, find a Windows buddy.

By the end of RI sims you have to have all your jet logs done so you can take the INAV test after your last AIRNAV sim.

That last sim by the way will be an Air Navigation sim, the 4 AIRNAV flights after the sim can be done as a cross country if you plan early. Start coordinating with an IP prior to your second block of RI sims. They have to be done before you can fly your instrument check ride.

=Low Level Navigation= Typically you will do low-levels after RI's but if the sims are backed up, you may do them at any time after C4602. You need to take the MITAC class first. Get someone who is in Low-Levels or recently completed them to help you prep your first chart. Take a look at the Low Level STAN Binder and the PFPS routes in the 8/18 ready room too. There are some non-FTI things that are expected of you.

=Ship/SAR= Ship Ops-Marines and Coasties, take a look. As of summer 2011, Navy students may or may not do Ship/SAR.

=Formation= Helicopter Formations is a funny group of flights, you will do one, two and three in order. Four and five will be double pumped.

=NVG= NVG- Not sure how these keep getting deleted....

=FAA Commercial License= Probably a good idea to leave Pensacola with your FAA Commercial License.