Vertical Takeoff and Landing

Objective

Upon completion of this lesson, the CFI candidate will demonstrate the ability to teach vertical takeoff to a hover and landing from a hover in accordance with ACS task HI.VIII.A. The CFI candidate will explain and demonstrate proper techniques, identify and correct common errors, assess risk factors, and evaluate student performance to commercial pilot standards while maintaining instructional flow and safety awareness.

Content

Elements of Vertical Takeoff and Landing (HI.VIII.A.K1)

Vertical Takeoff to a Hover:

• Begin with proper pre-takeoff checks and hovering checklist completion
• Slowly increase collective to reach translating tendency power setting
• Apply appropriate anti-torque pedal to maintain heading as collective increases
• Continue collective increase until helicopter becomes light on the skids
• Make final power application to achieve desired hover altitude
• Immediately establish hover attitude with cyclic control

Landing from a Hover:

• Maintain position over intended landing spot with cyclic
• Gradually reduce collective while maintaining rotor RPM with throttle
• Apply appropriate pedal inputs to counteract decreasing torque effect
• Continue descent until helicopter settles on landing gear
• Ensure collective is fully down and throttle properly adjusted

Wind Effects on Flight Control Inputs (HI.VIII.A.K2)

Headwind Conditions:

• Helicopter naturally wants to move forward during vertical ascent
• Requires slight aft cyclic to maintain position
• Less power required due to increased rotor efficiency
• Most stable hovering condition

Crosswind Conditions:

• Helicopter will drift sideways in direction of wind
• Requires cyclic input into the wind to maintain position
• Wind gradient effects more pronounced near surface
• Anticipate control inputs before drift occurs

Tailwind Conditions:

• Helicopter tends to move aft during ascent
• Requires forward cyclic pressure to maintain position
• Increased power requirements due to reduced rotor efficiency
• Most challenging hovering condition - avoid when possible

Weight and Balance/CG Effects (HI.VIII.A.K3)

Forward CG:

• Requires more aft cyclic to maintain level attitude
• Increases power requirements
• More stable in forward flight but less responsive
• Can limit aft cyclic authority in hover

Aft CG:

• Requires forward cyclic to prevent aft movement
• Helicopter more sensitive to control inputs
• Can become unstable in hover if too far aft
• Increased risk of loss of control

Heavy Weight:

• Increased power requirements approaching power limits
• Less margin for error in power management
• Longer response times to control inputs
• Critical to monitor power available vs. power required

Ground Effect (HI.VIII.A.K4)

In Ground Effect (IGE):

• Occurs within approximately one rotor diameter of surface
• Increased rotor efficiency reduces power requirements
• Can hover at higher gross weights than out of ground effect
• Effect diminishes rapidly with altitude increase

Out of Ground Effect (OGE):

• Power requirements increase significantly above one rotor diameter
• Must ensure sufficient power available before attempting OGE hover
• Performance charts essential for determining capability
• Always verify power available with gradual collective increase

Common Errors (HI.VIII.A.K5)

1. Overcontrolling: Excessive control inputs causing oscillations
2. Poor Power Management: Allowing rotor RPM to decay or exceed limits
3. Inadequate Anti-torque: Allowing heading changes during power changes
4. Position Drift: Failing to maintain position over reference point
5. Improper Collective Technique: Rapid or jerky collective movements
6. Poor Coordination: Not coordinating controls smoothly together

Risk Management Elements

Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness (LTE) - HI.VIII.A.R1:

• Most critical in right crosswinds and left tailwinds
• Maintain awareness of wind direction relative to helicopter
• Avoid critical azimuth positions when possible
• Have escape plan ready (immediate landing or forward flight)
• Recognize early signs: yaw rates that cannot be stopped with pedal

Dynamic Rollover - HI.VIII.A.R2:

• Risk highest on sloped surfaces or with lateral drift
• Always lift off vertically without lateral movement
• If skid catches, immediately lower collective
• Land immediately if any unusual rolling motion develops
• Use smooth control inputs to prevent rollover initiation

Ground Resonance - HI.VIII.A.R3:

• Most likely with skid-type landing gear
• Occurs when rotor and fuselage vibrations synchronize
• Immediately get airborne or shut down if resonance develops
• Avoid prolonged operation at critical rotor RPM ranges
• Maintain proper tire pressure and landing gear condition

Powerplant Failure During Hover - HI.VIII.A.R4:

• Immediate lowering of collective to maintain rotor RPM
• Autorotation entry within one rotor disk radius extremely challenging
• Hover only over suitable landing areas when possible
• Maintain minimum altitude necessary for operations
• Have emergency procedures immediately available in memory

Schedule

Equipment

Required References:

• FAA-H-8083-21 Helicopter Flying Handbook
• FAA-H-8083-4 Helicopter Instructor’s Handbook
• Aircraft Flight Manual/Pilot Operating Handbook
• Height/Velocity Diagram for aircraft type

Training Materials:

• Model helicopter for control demonstration
• Performance charts and tables
• Hover checklist for aircraft type
• Wind direction indicators
• Whiteboard or visual aids for sketching

Visual Aids:

• Ground effect diagram
• LTE wind azimuth chart
• Dynamic rollover illustration
• Control coordination charts

Instructor Actions

The CFI candidate will:

1. Explain the complete vertical takeoff sequence while demonstrating proper collective, cyclic, and pedal coordination using chair flying techniques
2. Demonstrate wind effect compensation by showing required control inputs for headwind, crosswind, and tailwind conditions
3. Calculate weight and balance effects using actual aircraft data and explain impact on hover performance and control requirements
4. Illustrate ground effect principles using diagrams and performance chart examples showing IGE vs OGE power requirements
5. Identify and demonstrate common errors such as overcontrolling, poor power management, and position drift while explaining correction techniques
6. Assess risk factors by analyzing wind conditions, surface characteristics, and aircraft limitations for each specific scenario
7. Present emergency procedures for LTE, dynamic rollover, ground resonance, and powerplant failure with emphasis on recognition and immediate responses
8. Evaluate student understanding through questioning techniques and practical application scenarios
9. Demonstrate proper teaching progression from basic hover establishment to advanced wind condition operations

Student Actions

The student will:

1. Verbalize the complete takeoff sequence including checklist items, power application, and control coordination requirements
2. Identify wind effects on helicopter behavior and demonstrate proper control inputs for various wind conditions
3. Calculate hover performance using weight and balance data and determine power requirements for specific conditions
4. Recognize ground effect influences on hover capability and explain the relationship between altitude and power requirements
5. Demonstrate error recognition by identifying common mistakes and providing appropriate correction techniques
6. Assess risk scenarios presented by instructor and determine appropriate risk mitigation strategies
7. Respond to emergency situations by stating immediate actions for LTE, dynamic rollover, ground resonance, and engine failure
8. Ask relevant questions about techniques, limitations, and safety considerations
9. Practice chair flying the complete vertical takeoff and landing sequence with proper control coordination

Completion Standards

The CFI candidate demonstrates instructional competency for HI.VIII.A when able to:

Knowledge Demonstration:

• Explain all elements of vertical takeoff and landing technique with proper sequence and coordination (HI.VIII.A.K1)
• Describe wind effects on control inputs and demonstrate compensation techniques for all wind conditions (HI.VIII.A.K2)
• Calculate and explain weight/balance and CG effects on hover performance and control requirements (HI.VIII.A.K3)
• Define ground effect principles and explain IGE/OGE power requirement differences (HI.VIII.A.K4)
• Identify and demonstrate correction techniques for all common errors (HI.VIII.A.K5)

Risk Management Instruction:

• Explain LTE conditions, recognition, and avoidance/recovery procedures (HI.VIII.A.R1)
• Describe dynamic rollover causes, prevention, and recovery techniques (HI.VIII.A.R2)
• Identify ground resonance characteristics and immediate response procedures (HI.VIII.A.R3)
• Present powerplant failure emergency procedures specific to hover operations (HI.VIII.A.R4)

Skill Instruction Standards:

• Demonstrate proper checklist usage and completion techniques (HI.VIII.A.S1)
• Show appropriate radio communication procedures for hover operations (HI.VIII.A.S2)
• Maintain and teach proper powerplant and Nr management within normal limits (HI.VIII.A.S3)
• Demonstrate vertical ascent/descent technique maintaining position within 2 feet in all wind conditions (HI.VIII.A.S4, HI.VIII.A.S6, HI.VIII.A.S7)
• Show altitude control to ±1/2 recommended hover altitude within 10 feet of surface, ±5 feet above 10 feet (HI.VIII.A.S5)
• Maintain heading within ±10° throughout all phases (HI.VIII.A.S8)
• Demonstrate error analysis and correction techniques for common student mistakes (HI.VIII.A.S9)

Teaching Effectiveness:

• Presents information in logical, understandable sequence appropriate for student level
• Uses effective questioning techniques to assess student comprehension
• Maintains safety awareness while providing comprehensive instruction
• Demonstrates proper use of teaching aids and references