OBJECTIVES:

In this lesson, the student will learn how to safely and accurately maneuver the helicopter out of ground effect. They will also become aware of the limitations and considerations when hovering OGE. They will learn to understand its operational applicability, and how it will be introduced into succeeding exercises, as well as how to manage the associated risks.

LESSON CONTENT:

1. Fully brief the student on the power required/available and hover graphs, noting the MCP and MTOP available based on prevailing conditions.
2. Revise the Height/Velocity diagram and calculate safe OGE operational heights.
3. Revise the IGE/OGE Hover graph. Calculate the power required to HOGE
4. Revise the limit manifold pressure chart.
5. Revise Vortex ring state
6. Revise Low RPM Recovery:
   • Roll throttle on
   • Lower collective
   • Gentle forward cyclic to regain forward speed
7. Demonstrate how to bring the helicopter into an OGE hover:
   • Position the helicopter into wind at 500ft AGL
   • Slowly reduce speed, and increase power to bring the helicopter into a hover, ensuring that no decent is allowed as speed reduces below 30kts
   • Select two ground features as references points, one in front using the instrument panel, doorframe, skid to position yourself relative to the ground feature. Select a second reference point approximately 90° to the right of the nose of the helicopter.
   • Use cyclic inputs to maintain the position relative to the selected reference points
   • Use pedals to maintain constant direction, into wind.
   • Monitor the altimeter and VSI to ensure height is maintained, and a sink is not allowed to develop.
   • Monitor temperatures and pressures and power surplus, looking out for over pitching as the power limit is approached.

COMPLETION STANDARDS:

At the completion of this exercise the student must be able to safely establish an out of ground effect hover maintaining positive positional control by use of reference points. They will also be able to actively scan the temperatures and pressures, as well as the altimeter and VSI to ensure the onset of a descent is not overlooked.