Helicopter Flight Information
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Helicopter Flight Information This domain is for sale. #1 in all relative searches, 12,000 views per month averaging 400 views per day! |
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Performance ManeuversWhat are they; just what is a Performance Maneuver? In the revised PTS, there are three maneuvers classified as 'Performance Maneuvers'; these are:
There are no other approved 'Performance Maneuvers'. In general, this term is used for/by inexperienced pilots who wish to go out and sport around in an air taxi simulating crop dusting techniques etc. As such, it is an inappropriate term that has been put into use usually by various persons in the helicopter industry whom generally wish to impress others. Outside of the context mentioned above, the mere mention of the term makes me nervous. Other than the maneuvers mentioned above, nowhere else in the PTS, will you find that term. No such maneuvers (outside of those in the PTS) should ever be taught to any student who has not achieved a high enough level of experience to understand the inherent dangers involved, and who is about to move into a job where these types of maneuvers are necessary such as; Agriculture Application, Cattle Mustering, etc. This photo is an exact example of what occurs in just such a circumstance. In this cases, a low time instructor was demonstrating Ag maneuvers, and had just briefed the student that they would be demonstrating 'Performance Maneuvers'. Remember that if something goes wrong in a helicopter at low altitude, the outcome will likely be disastrous; serious damage to the helicopter is highly likely, as well as serious personal injury. The accident preceding this article was a direct result of the teaching of these such maneuvers by a low time instructor whom was in turn taught by someone else; perhaps someone else who was actually qualified; but somewhere along the way, someone forgot human instinct, and one of the most significant rules of learning; 'monkey see, monkey do'. REAL One time not so long ago, when I was interested in taking helicopter flight lessons, I called a flight school for information. This was just one of several schools I called, and also one which operated the Bell 47 as a primary training helicopter (this school was in Florida, and has since gone out of business, it was 'Maverick Helicopters'). I guess maybe it was a while ago come to think of it. When I called this particular school, the person on the phone stated in part, "...we operate real helicopters..." When I inquired what was meant by real, I was told in part, "...as opposed to Robinson helicopters..." At that time, Robinson Helicopters were making deep intrusions into the training market which was once dominated by the Hughes, the Bell 47, and the Enstrom. Some of these operators were very upset as the market that they once controlled was now opening up. The point here is that one should be cautious anytime egotistical terms such as REAL, or PERFORMANCE MANEUVER, etc., are used. These are meant to be attraction terms only, and not a part of the normal flight training process. Every maneuver you are taught during training is REAL, whether the conditions are simulated or not. The moment you enter the ramp area with the intent to fly, things are as real as anything ever gets. Every helicopter is a REAL helicopter regardless of its size or brand. Every time EGO enters the training environment, the risk increases; it does not matter what issue raised the EGO level. I suggest that all students take the time to take the Hazardous Attitude Inventory, a simple 'situation' quiz which will demonstrate the tendencies of any particular individual and provide suggestive guidelines in preventing such potentially hazardous attitudes from entering into the flight environment.
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