Schweizer 300CBi
EXERCISE 16
CONFINED AREAS
TRAINING OBJECTIVES:
1. Conduct power check
- 40 Kts Straight/
Level
2. Carry out a high reconnaissance of the confined area
-50-60kias/500ft AGL
3. Carry out an approach and landing to the area
-10ft clear of obstacles
(if all ok – make Decision.Point before loss of ETL or below obstacles)
4. Take-off and transition from the area
-10ft clear of obstacles
5. Display AIRMANSHIP.
INTRODUCTION:
Since having learnt Advanced Transitions and Slope landings, you can now put these
techniques to practice in a practical sense. Confined Area landings are where the
helicopter excels, generally helicopters land in confined areas more often than airports.
Any landing area other than an aerodrome should be treated as a confined area.
CAAP 92-2 provides the detail for basic and standard helicopter landing sites. While the
CAAP is advisory, all students should take note of the requirements.
WIND ASSESSMENT:
Approaching the confined area, assess the wind direction and strength from any available
indicators, eg:






2
V Helicopters Flying School
Smoke or dust,
Water – waves, ripples, or wind lanes,
Windmills or windsocks,
Foliage,
Known or forecast wind, or
Helicopter drift.
Exercise 16 Page No 1
Schweizer 300CBi
POWER CHECK:
To be carried out in smooth air, (non turbulent) 0-500ft in the region of the confined area
1. Straight and level flight at 40 kias.
2. Check power required.
3. Check maximum power available.
4. Calculate power margin. This is the difference between power available and power
required. If this indicates:
7” MAP – Towering Take-off
6” MAP – H.O.G.E
5” MAP – H.I.G.E
4” MAP – Zero/Zero Landing
3’ MAP – Running Landing
HIGH RECONNAISSANCE:
1. Once the confined area has been located, select a marker (s) so you can easily relocate
the area.
2. Select and fly the high recce path:
o At 50 to 60kias/500ft AGL
o Right hand orbit, and
o A path which allows you to view the area so that you
can judge the height of obstacles and see the area clearly, usually a 45 deg.
perspective.
2
V Helicopters Flying School
Exercise 16 Page No 2
Schweizer 300CBi
3. Carry out S.W.AT.C. checks:
S – 6 x S’s
-Size -Basic HLS as per CAAP’s and company
Operations Manual.
-Surface- HIGE/HOGE? Dust, Loose Objects etc
-Slope -Checking if a slope landing will be necessary
and assess the slope to ensure a landing is
possible.
-Shape -Assess the best possible approach
considering whether an IGE hover is
possible and check for dust, and loose
objects.
-Sun
-Avoid approaching or departing into low sun.
-Surrounds
-Consider noise sensitivity, check surrounding
area for buildings, people or livestock.
o W – Wind
-Reconfirm the wind’s direction and strength
o A – Available Approaches - Look for and assess all available
approaches. Preferably the approach should be
1. into wind
2. as close to a normal approach as possible
3. over clear areas
o T- Termination Point
Pick a safe touchdown point in the area where:
The Skids/Engine and tail-rotor will all be clear
o C – Circuit
-Plan a circuit:
1. Avoid population and/or livestock.
2. Consider terrain and turbulance factors.
3. Choose base and final turning points
markers.
CIRCUIT :
1. Fly the planned circuit at 60kts/500ft AGL.
2. Carry out downwind checks.
3. Track via base and final turning points
2
V Helicopters Flying School
Exercise 16 Page No 3
Schweizer 300CBi
APPROACH AND LANDING:
1. Carry out the chosen approach aiming to a point 2/3 to 3/4 of the way into the areas.
2. Choose a point on the approach to abort if necessary, normally prior to loss of
translational lift or descending below obstacles. Approach should be aborted if
approaching to fast, slow, steep or shallow, or if power required becomes to high.
3. Terminate, if possible to an I.G.E hover.
4. Taxi to landing area, be wary of tail rotor clearance, overhanging branches, and loose
objects. Always manoeuvre by left pedal turns, ensuring tail is clear, or by turns about
the tail.
5. Treat all landings as slope landings, as ground can be uneven in long grass. Beware of
landing in long dry grass as exhaust could start a fire.
High Recce - 500ft/60kts
S.W.A.T.C. Checks
Circuit - 500ft/50-60kts
Decision
10'
10'
Take-off point
Aiming point
Confined Area
2
V Helicopters Flying School
Exercise 16 Page No 4
Schweizer 300CBi
TAKE-OFF:
1. Manoeuvre to position as far downwind in area as possible.
2. Assess take-off path, considering -wind
-obstacles, shallowest take-off profile, and
-clear areas
3. Select type of take-off to be used.
4. Carry out pre-take-off checks.
5. Choose an abort point, if necessary.
6. Ensure obstacles are cleared by 10ft during take-off.
AIRMANSHIP:
1. LOOKOUT – Especially for obstacles, wires, livestock and populous areas.
2. LEGALITIES – Gain permission from relevant authority to land in area.
3. WIND – Ensure you know the winds direction and strength, and any turbulence.
4. POWER CHECKS – Ensure correct and accurate.
5. HLS – Ensure you know the requirements for helicopter landing sites as per the
Company Operations Manual or CAAP’s.
COMPETENCY STANDARDS:
The student will be able to perform a valid power check and reconnaissance of the landing
area. The student will be able to make a sound circuit plan, safe approach and landing in
the area. The student will be able to coordinate the controls to perform a take-off along a
desired take-off path and climb profile.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The student will be able to know how to land into and take-off from a confined area. The
student will be able to determine when to use appropriate take-off and landing techniques
into and from a confined area.
The student will be able to navigate to and from the training area and make all radio calls
required.
2
V Helicopters Flying School
Exercise 16 Page No 5
Schweizer 300CBi
2
V Helicopters Flying School
Exercise 16 Page No 6