Confined Area Approaches for Helicopters
Welcome back! This video covers techniques for landing a helicopter into a confined area. If you're enjoying the videos so far, be sure to hit like, subscribe, and leave a comment!
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Simply put, helicopters come with the idea that they must be able to takeoff and land just about anywhere since they generally do not require a runway. Customers or missions may dictate landing in areas just big enough for the helicopter itself. It's important to know how to do so. Just about every reference starts with a high recon. This generally takes place 300' to 500' above the intended landing area to survey the site. There are a lot of techniques or acronyms to do this and this video will list a few. The first reference I'll use is the Army's SSBATW which looks at the following:
Size: Is the landing zone (LZ) big enough? Experience and comfort level play a big part here. Some pilots are just better at gauging size. But one technique to gauge size is to consider known size of objects. Ex: Look in the surrounding area for a semi trailer. These trucks are roughly 50' long. Most helicopters are less than 50' long and wide. Does it appear that a semi could in the proposed LZ? What about cars? They average 15' long. Could you fit 4 end to end? Practice gauging size to better develop this skill.
Suitability: What are the surface conditions? Is it sloping? Is there loose gravel, blowing dust or snow? Wavy grass? Evaluate how that could affect the last 50' of the approach.
Barriers: Is it surrounded by trees, hills, buildings, etc.? Where are the nearest towers, wires, or obstacles?
Approach/Departure Direction: Is there a preferable long axis to use? Is there only 1 way in or out? Better to consider this before the approach rather than find yourself on the ground unable to takeoff again.
Touchdown point: What are you using? You may not be able to use half of a field after you recon because it could be marshy or unsuitable. Specifically determine the touchdown point and amend your approach or Go Around on the approach if you can't make the point.
Winds: Consider winds at altitude and on the surface. How are they affected by objects on the ground? What happens if they shift or change on approach? Are winds different than long axis? Check how my videos on determining winds here ( • Understanding Winds - ... ).
That was the Army's SSBATW technique but there are others. The NAVY uses SWEEP to consider the following:
Size/Shape/Surface/Suitability: these consider the same factors of the 2 "S's" above.
Winds
Elevation: What is the specific Pressure Altitude (PA), Density Altitude (DA), AGL/MSL altitude
Egress: What is the Go Around plan. Also, what is the takeoff plan after landing?
Power Required vs. Power Available: Do you even have power for the type of approach. Do you have power for the takeoff?
Another acronym from the FAA is SWOAT to consider Suitability, Winds, Obstacles, Approach/Departure axis, & Touchdown Point. Ultimately you need to have a method to analyze the LZ prior to initiating a confined area approach.
Following the High Recon analysis, move to a Low Recon analysis. This is generally on the approach path up to a decision point. Either execute your Go Around Plan prior to ETL or continue the approach if all factors of the analysis are good.
I'll outline 3 techniques that are commonly used for the actual approach itself. The first is a Steep Approach. This is generally a 15 degree descent angle. The benefit of this type is that you can easily maintain visual contact with the touchdown point and obstacles throughout the approach. The downside is that it can require OGE power and is more prone to LTE in high winds and limited power. To optimize tail clearance, shoot the approach for the forward 1/3 of the landing area. The next type of approach is a Low Level or Terrain Flight Approach. Visibility is limited and clearing the tail can be more difficult. For this reason it's important to find a rock, tree, puddle, or some feature in the LZ to use as an abeam point. That is, a point where once you are beside it, you are safe to descend down. The last technique is the "L Turn" where you fly perpendicular to the final inbound heading and parallel to the obstacles. In this example, you keep the trees out of your right door Ince in the LZ then turn & descent down to the left into the LZ. You maintain treetop or higher altitude until you see the entire LZ out of the left side of the aircraft before descending.
Be sure in all of these approaches you have a Go Around Plan. Specifically, what heading and power setting are you using if you have to abort the approach. Also, do your performance planning. Are you landing to pick up people or equipment? Plan your takeoff power accordingly.
Пікірлер: 51
Thanks for putting these videos up. I’m just at the solo point of my add on rating after flying fixed wing for 40 years. Your style and content delivery is exactly what my learning style wants. You are also completely consistent with the FAA’s Helicopter Flying Handbook so it reinforces what I’m reading prior to watching your video. Thanks again!
I come from EMS and we loooove our acronyms. I love that SWEEP acronym, it just stuck right into my brain. Thanks so much for this content!
I just started my rotary add-on about a month ago and am super happy that you started putting videos out again. Talk about good timing!
Currently in advanced helicopter training for the navy- your videos have helped me a ton, thank you for making them!
2 years ago I commented on one of your videos, aspiring to be an Army aviator, I had questions about the SIFT. I start my last phase of CC and select next month. Thank you for the inspiration and information to help! Glad you're back! 🤙🏼
@helicopterlessonsin10minut10
3 жыл бұрын
Awesome! Congrats on making it through all the hurdles. Only few more before you pin your wings!
@HL10- That was a great big picture synopsis of the ADM for doing a confined area assessment and apprch. The one gem that really stuck out was your comment about making your decision to either go around or commit to your touch down point before losing ETL on the low recon.
Did my first rotary solo this week. I expect confined work in my future very shortly so this video is of great timing.
@Not-a-bot222
3 жыл бұрын
Congrats
@apedorimusa4176
3 жыл бұрын
That's a beautiful thing. Where i study (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering) at East African Civil Aviation Academy. .. A pilot who gets the first solo is showered with dirty water and soil. You could have been showered too. Congratulations.
@glennwatson
3 жыл бұрын
@@apedorimusa4176 Thanks, is the covering with soil meant to be symbolic of being connected to the ground or something?
@apedorimusa4176
3 жыл бұрын
It is to symbolise that, in your new journey, many factors will bring bad energy (which is the soil or dirt) to you, it can come from poor maintenance of the aircraft, bad advise or many more. But then you have to receive all that and then wash them away - then stay focused.
Great video as always. It's not rocket science, the acronyms are a good way to actually vocalise howto pick a spot. Instead of just saying "eh, I'll put 'er down over there I guess".
@helicopterlessonsin10minut10
3 жыл бұрын
Exactly!
Great video sir. Thank you for the information.
Doing recon for the WOTFEEL ! Wind - Obstacles - Turbulence/Terrain - Forced landing areas - Entry - Exit - Landing area.
@helicopterlessonsin10minut10
3 жыл бұрын
Nice acronym. What’s it from?
Keep em comin! Good stuff.
High Recon- PWOT Pressure Altitude, Wind, Obstacles, Terrain Low Recon- FEEL Forced landing areas (on approach), Entry, Exit, Landing area Great Videos! Keep up the good work!
@helicopterlessonsin10minut10
2 жыл бұрын
I like those acronyms. What reference are they from?
@gregkelso595
2 жыл бұрын
@@helicopterlessonsin10minut10 I picked it up from my Instructor in flight school. He used to serve in the USAF. I am not sure where he got it from.
Really loving your videos dude. Trying to soak up some of your teaching style while working on my CFI. In case you wanted another mnemonic for your toolbox, I learned the 5 S's and the 5 W's for area recon. Size, shape, slope, surface, sun, wind, wires, way in, way out, and wildlife.
@helicopterlessonsin10minut10
2 жыл бұрын
Haven’t heard of that one. Thanks for the feedback!
@Steeyuv
2 жыл бұрын
I only just passed my GFT in the UK - basically it's the 5Ss - size shape surround slope surface, plus wires and people. Pressure Altitude isn't a great concern when our landscape looks as though it's been ironed!
Another great video ' complete please . Can you describe about the basic maneuver flight
All I can add is how fun it is to be in a max performance takeoff rising above the treetops in an R-22 pretending for that moment you’re in an Apache....hope I’m not the only one
Amazing!!
I was trained with WOPPS wind obstacles path in/out power surface.
Hi Jacob Can you make an explanation of high terrain landing ? How to choose direction,approach angle and etc.
@helicopterlessonsin10minut10
3 жыл бұрын
Sure thing. I’ve got a mountain flying series in the works that will include all of that.
Another great video. I just was reading this section a few days ago. Still requesting that slips and skids haha. Also I have ordered all the books you shared as well as some of my own. In one of the practice questions it states Q: What chart uses a 1:500,000 scale? A: sectional Aeronautical charts It further explains one should be familiar with low altitude VFR & IFR charts and their symbols. My question is Where in the FAA helicopter manual does it discuss this? I’m sure I’m overlooking but have yet to find it.
@jaraelhicks
3 жыл бұрын
Also I have ordered all the books you shared as well as some of my own. In one of the practice questions it states Q: What chart uses a 1:500,000 scale? A: sectional Aeronautical charts It further explains one should be familiar with low altitude VFR & IFR charts and their symbols. My question is Where in the FAA helicopter manual does it discuss this? I’m sure I’m overlooking but have yet to find it.
@helicopterlessonsin10minut10
3 жыл бұрын
Google search the “FAA Aeronautical Chart Users' Guide.” It’s a free pdf that explains everything. Hope this helps!
@jaraelhicks
3 жыл бұрын
@@helicopterlessonsin10minut10 Awesome thank you sir.
You mention a descending decelerating turn - can you do a video where you explain that maneuver in more detail?
@helicopterlessonsin10minut10
2 жыл бұрын
Sure thing.
Shipboard landing? Is it a confined area landing or pinnacle operation landing?
"L" landings. Careful not to cause main Rotor strike on tree line.
Stupid question, what are some helpful techniques you find useful for pnvs/tads or do you just use known object size
@helicopterlessonsin10minut10
2 жыл бұрын
Try to be at a full stop by the time the second bobup box saturates. That’ll help you get in tighter LZs
Can you do a video on PPC table talk?
@helicopterlessonsin10minut10
3 жыл бұрын
I’ll add the topic to the list. Thanks for the feedback!
question regarding a steep takeoff & landing. as far i know in a confined area the best thing to do is vertically. cuze we should consider the (CDP) critical decision point or the commitment point, in case of single engine failure wether you rollout or land. but in a steep technique how to define the CDP???
@helicopterlessonsin10minut10
3 жыл бұрын
I’ve actually got a video in the works for confined area takeoffs. Simply put, you need to establish some sort of abort point based on the type of landing. Short answer to your question: If you get a running start, the abort point is generally when you plan to need to get through ETL. For near vertical takeoffs it would be getting the appropriate altitude prior to moving over the trees.
@abdelrahmanakram
3 жыл бұрын
@@helicopterlessonsin10minut10 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
🚁🚁🚁🚁
They don't teach a circling approach to confined area anymore?
What do you do with these pieces of paper after the video?
@helicopterlessonsin10minut10
3 жыл бұрын
Those sheets and my script notes get filed away in a paper basket in my basement until I find something better to do with them.
@axelram5510
3 жыл бұрын
@@helicopterlessonsin10minut10 your Book deal 👍
@helicopterlessonsin10minut10
3 жыл бұрын
Already have the book made. Links in the video description 😎