Straight Climbs and Climbing Turns

Objective

Upon completion of this lesson, the CFI applicant will demonstrate the ability to teach straight climbs and climbing turns to a helicopter student pilot by:

1. Explaining the purpose, procedures, and visual references for straight climbs and climbing turns (ACS HI.XI.C.K1, K3)
2. Demonstrating proper flight control techniques and use of trim if applicable (ACS HI.XI.C.K2)
3. Teaching integrated flight instruction methods for climb maneuvers (ACS HI.XI.C.K4)
4. Identifying and correcting common errors associated with climbs (ACS HI.XI.C.K5, S2)
5. Managing risk factors including distractions, situational awareness, and collision hazards (ACS HI.XI.C.R1, R2)
6. Demonstrating the ability to establish, maintain, and level off from climbs and climbing turns (ACS HI.XI.C.S1)

Content

Purpose and Procedures for Straight Climbs and Climbing Turns

Purpose:

• Gain altitude efficiently while maintaining aircraft control
• Navigate around obstacles or terrain
• Comply with air traffic control clearances
• Optimize flight path for wind conditions
• Practice fundamental attitude instrument flying skills

Straight Climb Procedures:

1. Establish climb attitude by applying aft cyclic pressure
2. Increase collective to maintain or establish desired climb airspeed
3. Apply left anti-torque pedal to counteract increased torque
4. Trim aircraft if equipped with trim systems
5. Monitor engine parameters and rotor RPM
6. Cross-check flight instruments for altitude, airspeed, and heading

Climbing Turn Procedures:

1. Establish straight climb first
2. Apply lateral cyclic in direction of desired turn
3. Maintain climb attitude with appropriate back pressure
4. Adjust collective as needed for airspeed control
5. Coordinate with anti-torque pedals
6. Monitor turn rate and altitude gain simultaneously

Flight Control and Trim Use

Primary Flight Controls in Climbs:

• Cyclic: Controls climb attitude and turn coordination
• Collective: Primary control for airspeed during climbs
• Anti-torque pedals: Maintain heading and coordination

Control Sequence (like learning to drive a stick shift):

1. Attitude first (cyclic)
2. Power second (collective)
3. Coordination third (pedals)

Trim Systems:

• Cyclic trim: Reduces pilot workload during sustained climbs
• Collective correlator: Automatically adjusts throttle with collective changes
• Governor: Maintains rotor RPM automatically

Visual References for Climb Maneuvers

Outside Visual References:

• Horizon relationship to aircraft nose/chin bubble
• Ground track for straight climbs
• Reference points for turn coordination
• Traffic scan for collision avoidance

Inside Visual References:

• Attitude indicator for pitch and bank angles
• Altimeter for altitude tracking
• Airspeed indicator for speed control
• Heading indicator for directional control
• Vertical speed indicator for climb rate

Scan Pattern (like a pilot’s dance): Outside → Attitude → Airspeed → Altitude → Outside → repeat

Integrated Flight Instruction

Building Block Approach:

1. Start with straight and level flight review
2. Introduce climb attitude control
3. Add power management
4. Integrate all controls for smooth climbs
5. Progress to climbing turns

Multi-Sensory Learning:

• Visual: Demonstrate proper sight picture
• Auditory: Describe control inputs and engine sounds
• Kinesthetic: Have student feel control pressures

Positive Transfer:

• Connect to automotive analogies (uphill driving)
• Relate to previous straight and level experience
• Build on basic attitude control skills

Common Errors and Corrections

Error 1: Improper Pitch Attitude

• Symptom: Airspeed too fast or slow
• Cause: Wrong cyclic input
• Correction: “Attitude first, then adjust power”

Error 2: Poor Power Management

• Symptom: Rotor RPM decay or engine overtorque
• Correction: Smooth collective inputs, monitor engine parameters

Error 3: Heading Deviations

• Cause: Inadequate anti-torque compensation
• Correction: Left pedal pressure with power increases

Error 4: Uncoordinated Climbing Turns

• Symptom: Slipping or skidding
• Correction: Proper pedal coordination, gentle bank angles

Error 5: Fixation on Instruments

• Cause: Poor outside scan
• Correction: “Eyes outside, quick looks inside”

Risk Management

Distractions and Task Prioritization:

• Maintain basic aircraft control as priority one
• Compartmentalize radio calls and navigation tasks
• Use sterile cockpit procedures during critical phases

Loss of Situational Awareness:

• Maintain geographic orientation during climbs
• Cross-check GPS and visual landmarks
• Monitor fuel consumption and flight time

Disorientation Prevention:

• Trust flight instruments in reduced visibility
• Maintain visual references when available
• Recognize spatial disorientation symptoms

Collision Hazards:

• Clearing turns before starting climbs
• Continuous traffic scan during maneuver
• Radio position reports in traffic areas
• Understanding right-of-way rules (aircraft being overtaken has right-of-way)

Schedule

Equipment

Required References:

• FAA-H-8083-21A Helicopter Flying Handbook (Chapters 5, 6)
• FAA-H-8083-4 Helicopter Instructor’s Handbook
• Aircraft Flight Manual/Pilot’s Operating Handbook
• FAA-S-ACS-29 Helicopter Airman Certification Standards

Training Materials:

• Helicopter cockpit poster or actual aircraft
• Flight instrument panel mockup
• Whiteboard for diagrams
• Model helicopter for control demonstrations

Visual Aids:

• Climb attitude reference photos
• Control input diagrams
• Common error illustrations
• Risk management flowcharts

Instructor Actions

The CFI applicant will:

1. Explain the lesson objective clearly, connecting climb techniques to real-world flying scenarios
2. Demonstrate proper teaching sequence by building from simple to complex concepts
3. Show correct control techniques using actual aircraft controls or mockup, emphasizing the attitude-power-trim sequence
4. Identify visual references both inside and outside the aircraft for maintaining proper climbs
5. Chair fly the complete maneuver while providing simultaneous explanation of control inputs, visual scanning, and decision-making processes
6. Demonstrate error recognition by intentionally showing common mistakes and their corrections
7. Apply integrated flight instruction by connecting this maneuver to previously learned skills and future advanced techniques
8. Teach risk management strategies specific to climb operations, emphasizing threat recognition and mitigation
9. Use effective communication techniques including clear explanations, appropriate analogies, and positive reinforcement
10. Assess student understanding through targeted questions and guided practice scenarios

Student Actions

The student (DPE) will:

1. Listen actively to instruction and ask clarifying questions about procedures
2. Participate in discussions about climb techniques and risk management
3. Practice chair flying the maneuver with CFI guidance
4. Identify errors in demonstrated scenarios and suggest corrections
5. Explain visual references and scanning techniques for climb operations
6. Describe control inputs for various climb scenarios including straight climbs and climbing turns
7. Analyze risk factors and propose mitigation strategies
8. Connect new learning to previously mastered flight maneuvers
9. Demonstrate understanding through verbal feedback and practical application
10. Ask relevant questions about real-world application and advanced techniques

Completion Standards

The CFI applicant successfully demonstrates instructional competency when they:

1. Explain climb purposes and procedures (HI.XI.C.K1) with accuracy and clarity, covering both straight climbs and climbing turns with proper sequencing of instruction
2. Demonstrate flight control techniques (HI.XI.C.K2) showing correct use of cyclic, collective, and anti-torque controls, including trim procedures where applicable
3. Identify visual references (HI.XI.C.K3) both inside and outside the aircraft, teaching proper scan techniques and sight picture establishment
4. Apply integrated flight instruction (HI.XI.C.K4) by connecting climb techniques to other flight maneuvers and building upon previously learned skills
5. Recognize and correct common errors (HI.XI.C.K5, S2) through demonstration and explanation, showing at least three typical student mistakes and their remedies
6. Address risk management items (HI.XI.C.R1, R2) by teaching strategies for managing distractions, maintaining situational awareness, and avoiding collision hazards
7. Demonstrate ability to establish, maintain, and level off from climbs (HI.XI.C.S1) through chair flying with simultaneous explanation of control inputs and performance standards
8. Maintain teaching standards throughout the lesson with clear communication, logical progression, and effective use of training aids
9. Show competency in error analysis by identifying deviations from standards and providing appropriate corrective instruction
10. Meet ACS standards for HI.XI.C by demonstrating thorough knowledge and ability to teach all required elements to the commercial pilot level of proficiency