Helicopter Flight Information
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Helicopter Flight Information |
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Required InstrumentsI teach all pilots, airplane and helicopter, the "basic seven rule". That is there are seven instruments required for day VFR flight, and eight if the aircraft is equipped with a controllable propeller. The helicopter therefore requires the eighth instrument as the rotor is controllable (through the collective pitch). With that knowledge, these following eight instruments are required for day VFR flight; The tachometer (helicopter requires two, counts as one), altimeter, airspeed indicator, oil pressure gauge, oil temperature gauge, fuel quantity indicator (for each tank, counts as one), magnetic compass, and the eighth is the manifold pressure gauge. Know that if the aircraft is equipped with more than one engine, then each engine must be represented with the required engine instruments, however for the purpose of this discussion, we are assuming a single engine aircraft. Night VFR requires an operating alternator, and also a beacon and navigation lights. More detail may be found under FAR § 91.205, and § 91.209. The question arises often, "can you depart without the operational equipment contained in the above list"? The answer is no, not unless you receive a permit from the FAA, and then no passengers may be carried, and the aircraft must only be flown directly to a facility where the needed repairs can be accomplished. An aircraft cannot be flown at night without all required lights operating. If a non-required instrument becomes inoperative, that instrument must be disabled and placarded "inoperative". The aircraft may not be flown with inoperative instruments that have not been disabled and labeled. |
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