Schweizer 300CBi
EXERCISE 19
PINNACLES
TRAINING OBJECTIVES:
1. Carry out a power check
-Straight & Level flight in
turbulent free air
2. Assess wind direction and strength at Pinnacle.
-At Pinnacle
3. Carry out a low recce of Pinnacle
(already have height)
-At 200-300ft AGL/50-60 kias
4. Pick Base and Final Points and fly circuit
-At 500ft AGL/50-60 kias
5. Carry out an approach and landing
-on the Pinnacle
6. Take-off to the hover and transition
-from the Pinnacle
7. Display AIRMANSHIP
INTRODUCTION:
One of the advantages of helicopters is that they can transport people to places aeroplanes
and cars cannot get to such as a Pinnacle. Pinnacles differ from confined areas in that the
wind has a much more market effect than landing in a flat area. You now have to contend
with updrafts, downdrafts and also the loss of performance associated with flying at
altitude.
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V Helicopters Flying School
Exercise 19 page No. 1
Schweizer 300CBi
MOUNTAIN FLYING HAZARDS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Updraughts/Downdraughts Turbulence
Powerlines in Valleys
Loss of Translational Lift ‘ETL’
Density Altitude
EFFECT OF WIND OVER MOUNTAINS & RANGES:
Updraughts
Downdraughts
Effect of wind over mountain showing updraughts
and downdraughts.
Downdraught
Updraught
Updraught
Over mountain ranges updraughts and downdraughts
can be where you least expect it.
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V Helicopters Flying School
Exercise 19 page No. 2
Schweizer 300CBi
DEMARCATION LINE:
The demarcation line is where the airflow changes from updraughting air to
downdraughting air. In flight it is often felt as turbulence and you will notice you will
require to change your power setting to maintain straight and level flight.
Strong Wind
Medium Wind
Light Wind
Updraughts
Downdraughts
Side view of the demarcation line. This
line shows where the wind changes from updraughts
to the more dangerous downdraughting air. It moves
further into wind, the stronger the wind is.
Updraughts
Downdraughts
H
Demarcation Line
Above view of the demarcation line. A crosswind
approach in the updraughting air is often preferable
to a straight into wind approach in the downdraughting
air.
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V Helicopters Flying School
Exercise 19 page No. 3
Schweizer 300CBi
1. POWER CHECK:
To be carried out in smooth air, (non turbulent) 0-500ft above the pinnacle, approaching
the mountain.
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
2. WIND ASSESSMENT:
Assess wind direction and strength by:
-Smoke or dust.
-Windsocks or windmills.
-Water or foliage.
-Forecast or known wind.
-Aircraft drift – fly clover leaf pattern.
H
Planned Flight Path
Actual Flight Path
3. RECCE:
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V Helicopters Flying School
Exercise 19 page No. 4
Schweizer 300CBi
At 200-300ft above Pinnacle at 50- 60 kias with a constant power setting, carry out
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.
W – Wind
-Assess wind direction, strength, updraughts &
downdraughts. Find demarcation line.
A – Available Approaches - Decide on the most suitable approach from S.W.A.T.C.
checks, considering:
- Wind
- Demarcation Line
- Shallowest
- Over Clear Areas
- Escape Route
o T- Termination Point
Pick a safe touchdown point on the pinnacle 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.
4. APPROACH:
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V Helicopters Flying School
Exercise 19 page No. 5
Schweizer 300CBi
Ensure your approach is:
-Outside demarcation line
-Shallow as possible (Requires less power)
-Into wind or crosswind
-Along Ridge lines – for rate of closure assessment.
-Use ‘Back-drop’ technique for constant angle approach.
-Choose an escape route – preferably into wind over clear areas.
-Forward to windward side as far as possible.
-AVOID sinking below Pinnacle.
The “Backdrop Technique” helps the pilot to fly a constant angle approach. Using your
sight picture choose a aiming point in line, but beyond the pinnacle. Fly the approach
as if you were flying to the aiming point. If you start to see more of the area around the
aiming point you are too steep, and if you start to see less of the area around the aiming
point you are too shallow.
5. LANDING:
Treat as a slope landing.
Beware of turning down-wind and turbulence when operating near maximum power.
6. TAKE-OFF AND TRANSITION:
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V Helicopters Flying School
Exercise 19 page No. 6
Schweizer 300CBi
TAKE OFF
- Normal hover into wind.
TRANSITION
- Speed over height until speed for normal climb is reached.
- Eyes on horizon.
Pinnacle Landing and Take-off
AIRMANSHIP:
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V Helicopters Flying School
Exercise 19 page No. 7
Schweizer 300CBi
1. Beware of wind and turbulence.
2. Don’t assume there is no turbulence or downdraughts – expect it.
3. Always have an escape route.
4. Carry out accurate power checks.
5. Physiological problems – horizon and visual cues are different – constantly cross refer
flight instruments.
6. Beware that control effectiveness will reduce with altitude. Keep control inputs small.
COMPETENCY STANDARDS:
The student will be able to perform a valid power check, assess the wind (updraughts &
downdraughts) and conduct a thorough reconnaissance of the landing area. The student
will be able to make a sound circuit plan, safe approach and landing on the pinnacle. 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 accurately assess wind and its effects over
mountains. He/She will be able to approach, land, manoeuvre and take-off from a
pinnacle. 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.
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V Helicopters Flying School
Exercise 19 page No. 8