Operational Requirements – X. Performance Maneuvers, Task B: Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter

Objective

Upon completion of this lesson, the CFI candidate will demonstrate the ability to teach the operational requirements for straight-in autorotations in single-engine helicopters per ACS task HI.XVIII.F, including minimum entry altitudes, go-around criteria, safety prioritization, and landing area assessment procedures.

Content

Entry Altitude Requirements (HI.XVIII.F.K1, HI.XVIII.F.R1)

The minimum entry altitude for straight-in autorotations is 500 feet AGL. This altitude provides sufficient time for:

• Recognition of engine failure
• Entry into autorotation
• Glide path establishment
• Flare execution
• Safe landing or go-around initiation

In strong wind conditions, higher entry altitudes are required because:

• Increased groundspeed affects glide path angle
• Wind shear may be present at lower altitudes
• Greater altitude provides more options for landing site selection
• Additional time is needed for wind drift compensation

Think of autorotation altitude like insurance - 500 feet is the minimum policy, but you buy more coverage when conditions are challenging.

Go-Around Decision Making (HI.XVIII.F.K2, HI.XVIII.F.K3)

Two distinct go-around scenarios exist:

Unsatisfactory Performance (HI.XVIII.F.K2):

• Applicant inability to maintain ACS tolerances
• Poor glide path management
• Inadequate airspeed control
• Improper flare technique
• Results in unsatisfactory evaluation

Safety-Related Go-Around (HI.XVIII.F.K3):

• Landing area safety concerns beyond applicant/evaluator control
• Unexpected obstacles or hazards
• Other aircraft traffic
• Ground personnel in landing area
• Does NOT result in unsatisfactory evaluation

The key distinction: performance-based go-arounds indicate skill deficiency, while safety-based go-arounds demonstrate good judgment.

Safety Prioritization (HI.XVIII.F.K4, HI.XVIII.F.R2)

Safety of flight always takes precedence over task completion. Never force a landing when:

• Approach parameters exceed safe limits
• Landing area becomes compromised
• Weather conditions deteriorate
• Aircraft systems indicate abnormalities

This principle reflects real-world emergency procedures where pilots must continuously assess changing conditions and abort approaches when necessary.

Straight-In Autorotation Technique

The straight-in autorotation differs from 180-degree autorotations by:

• No turning flight required
• Direct approach to landing area
• Simplified flight path management
• Focus on glide path and airspeed control

Key phases include:

1. Entry: Immediate collective lowering, aft cyclic application
2. Glide: Maintain best glide airspeed, monitor glide path
3. Flare: Aggressive aft cyclic at appropriate altitude/airspeed
4. Touchdown: Collective application to cushion landing

Teaching Considerations

When instructing straight-in autorotations:

• Emphasize altitude awareness throughout
• Stress the importance of go-around decision making
• Practice landing area assessment skills
• Reinforce that safety supersedes task completion
• Use progressive instruction from higher altitudes initially

Schedule

Equipment

• FAA-S-ACS-29 Helicopter Airman Certification Standards
• FAA-H-8083-4 Helicopter Instructor’s Handbook
• POH/RFM for applicable helicopter
• Sectional chart for local area
• Whiteboard or visual aid capability
• Autorotation landing area diagram
• Wind condition examples and scenarios

Instructor Actions

The CFI candidate will:

1. Explain entry altitude requirements by demonstrating calculation of minimum altitudes for various wind conditions and relating altitude to available reaction time

2. Differentiate go-around scenarios by presenting specific examples of performance-based versus safety-based go-around situations and their evaluation implications

3. Demonstrate safety prioritization by walking through decision-making scenarios where task completion conflicts with flight safety

4. Chair fly the straight-in autorotation while providing continuous narration of control inputs, altitude callouts, and decision points per HI.XVIII.F.S1

5. Explain go-around procedures by demonstrating the transition from autorotation to powered flight when landing area safety concerns arise per HI.XVIII.F.S2

6. Teach landing area assessment by explaining factors that determine landing area suitability and when safety concerns necessitate a go-around

7. Address common student errors including premature flare, inadequate airspeed control, and reluctance to execute go-arounds

Student Actions

The student (evaluator) will:

1. Ask questions about minimum entry altitude calculations and wind condition adjustments
2. Present scenarios requiring go-around decision making
3. Challenge the CFI candidate’s understanding of safety prioritization
4. Observe the chair flying demonstration for accuracy and teaching effectiveness
5. Evaluate the clarity of explanations regarding operational requirements
6. Assess the CFI candidate’s ability to relate ACS standards to practical application

Completion Standards

The CFI candidate demonstrates satisfactory performance when they can teach a student to meet ACS standards for HI.XVIII.F by:

1. Explaining entry altitude requirements including the 500-foot AGL minimum and adjustments for wind conditions per HI.XVIII.F.K1 and HI.XVIII.F.R1

2. Clearly distinguishing between performance-based go-arounds (unsatisfactory per HI.XVIII.F.K2) and safety-based go-arounds (not unsatisfactory per HI.XVIII.F.K3)

3. Emphasizing safety prioritization per HI.XVIII.F.K4 and HI.XVIII.F.R2 with specific examples of when not to force a landing

4. Demonstrating proper technique for initiating straight-in autorotation at minimum 500 feet AGL per HI.XVIII.F.S1

5. Teaching go-around procedures for landing area safety concerns per HI.XVIII.F.S2

6. Presenting information clearly and accurately using appropriate teaching methods and maintaining student engagement throughout the lesson

Performance meets ACS task HI.XVIII.F standards when the CFI candidate can effectively teach operational requirements while maintaining focus on safety and regulatory compliance.