My only real experience with of helicopters results from serving as self-loading freight on a handful of occasions. I know rotorcraft flying involves many similarities to fixed-wing operations: The basic FARs applying to rotorcraft pilots are the same ones governing fixed-wing drivers, for example. The charts often are the same; so are airport operations.
A Cirrus SR20 accident, resulting in four fatalities, was attributed to pilots with extensive helicopter experience but limited fixed-wing proficiency, who were flying an overloaded aircraft.
Key contributing factors included the aircraft operating significantly over its weight limit and at a high-density altitude (around 9000 feet), severely impairing climb performance.
The NTSB cited the pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed and control, likely due to applying helicopter-specific flight strategies (slowing down to climb) which are detrimental to fixed-wing aircraft performance, especially in challenging conditions.
My only real experience with of helicopters results from serving as self-loading freight on a handful of occasions. I know rotorcraft flying involves many similarities to fixed-wing operations: The basic FARs applying to rotorcraft pilots are the same ones governing fixed-wing drivers, for example. The charts often are the same; so are airport operations.
288
CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT
Sign up to keep reading
Create a free account to continue. Already a member? Sign in below.
