Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21B)

Helicopter Flying Handbook2019U.S. Department of TransportationFEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATIONFlight Standards Service

PrefaceThe Helicopter Flying Handbook is designed as a technical manual for applicants who are preparing for their private,commercial, or flight instructor pilot certificates with a helicopter class rating. Certificated flight instructors may findthis handbook a valuable training aid, since detailed coverage of aerodynamics, flight controls, systems, performance,flight maneuvers, emergencies, and aeronautical decision-making is included. Topics such as weather, navigation, radionavigation and communications, use of flight information publications, and regulations are available in other FederalAviation Administration (FAA) publications.This handbook conforms to pilot training and certification concepts established by the FAA. There are different ways ofteaching, as well as performing, flight procedures and maneuvers, and many variations in the explanations of aerodynamictheories and principles. This handbook adopts a selective method and concept to flying helicopters. The discussion andexplanations reflect the most commonly used practices and principles. Occasionally the word “must” or similar languageis used where the desired action is deemed critical. The use of such language is not intended to add to, interpret, or relievea duty imposed by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). Persons working towards a helicopter rating areadvised to review the references from the applicable practical test standards (FAA-S-8081-3 for recreational applicants,FAA-S-8081-15 for private applicants, and FAA-S-8081-16 for commercial applicants). Resources for study includeFAA-H-8083-25, Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, and FAA-H-8083-1, Weight and Balance Handbook, asthese documents contain basic material not duplicated herein. All beginning applicants should refer to FAA-H-8083-25,Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, for study and basic library reference.It is essential for persons using this handbook to become familiar with and apply the pertinent parts of 14 CFR and theAeronautical Information Manual (AIM). The AIM is available online at www.faa.gov. The current Flight StandardsService airman training and testing material and learning statements for all airman certificates and ratings can be obtainedfrom www.faa.gov.This handbook supersedes FAA-H-8083-21A, Helicopter Flying Handbook, dated 2012. Gyroplane information can befound in the FAA-H-8083-20, Gyroplane Flying Handbook.This handbook is available for download, in PDF format, from www.faa.gov.This handbook is published by the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, AirmanTesting Branch, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125.Comments regarding this publication should be emailed to AFS630comments@faa.gov.iii

AcknowledgmentsThe Helicopter Flying Handbook was produced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with the assistance of SafetyResearch Corporation of America (SRCA). The FAA wishes to acknowledge the following contributors:Federation of American Scientists (www.fas.org) for rotor system content used in Chapter 5Kaman Aerospace, Helicopters Division for image of Kaman used in Chapter 5Burkhard Domke (www.b-domke.de) for images of rotor systems (Chapters 1 and 4)New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority for image of safety procedures for approaching a helicopter (Chapter 9)Shawn Coyle of Eagle Eye Solutions, LLC for images and content used in Chapter 10Dr. Pat Veillette for information used on decision-making (Chapter 13)Additional appreciation is extended to the Helicopter Association International (HAI), United States Helicopter Safety Team(USHST), Leonardo Helicopters, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and the AOPA Air Safety Foundationfor their technical support and input.v

Table of ContentsPreface.iiiAcknowledgments .vChapter 1Introduction to the Helicopter .1-1Introduction .1-1Turbine Age .1-2Uses .1-3Rotor System.1-3Rotor Configurations .1-4Tandem Rotor .1-4Coaxial Rotors .1-4Intermeshing Rotors.1-4Tail Rotor .1-5Controlling Flight.1-5Cyclic .1-5Collective .1-5Antitorque Pedals .1-6Throttle .1-6Flight Conditions .1-6Chapter Summary .1-7Chapter 2Aerodynamics of Flight.2-1Introduction .2-1Forces Acting on the Aircraft .2-2Lift .2-3Bernoulli’s Principle .2-3Venturi Flow .2-4Newton’s Third Law of Motion .2-5Weight .2-5Thrust .2-6Drag .2-6Profile Drag .2-6Induced Drag .2-7Parasite Drag .2-7Total Drag .2-7Airfoil .2-7Airfoil Terminology and Definitions .2-7Airfoil Types .2-8Symmetrical Airfoil .2-8Nonsymmetrical Airfoil (Cambered) .2-8Blade Twist .2-9Rotor Blade and Hub Definitions .2-9Airflow and Reactions in the Rotor Disk.2-9Relative Wind .2-9Rotational Relative Wind (Tip-Path Plane).2-9Resultant Relative Wind.2-11Induced Flow (Downwash) .2-11Rotor Blade Angles .2-12Angle of Incidence .2-12Angle of Attack.2-13Powered Flight .2-14Hovering Flight .2-14Translating Tendency (Drift).2-15Pendular Action .2-15Coning .2-16Coriolis Effect (Law of Conservation of AngularMomentum) .2-16Gyroscopic Precession .2-17Vertical Flight .2-17Forward Flight .2-17Airflow in Forward Flight .2-19Advancing Blade .2-19Retreating Blade .2-19Dissymmetry of Lift .2-20Translational Lift .2-21Effective Translational Lift (ETL).2-22Translational Thrust .2-22Induced Flow .2-23Transverse Flow Effect .2-23Sideward Flight .2-23Rearward Flight .2-24Turning Flight .2-24Autorotation .2-25Vertical Autorotation.2-25Autorotation (Forward Flight) .2-26Chapter Summary .2-26Chapter 3Helicopter Flight Controls .3-1Introduction .3-1Collective Pitch Control.3-2Throttle Control .3-2Governor/Correlator .3-2Cyclic Pitch Control.3-3Antitorque Pedals .3-4Heading Control .3-4Chapter Summary .3-5vii

Chapter 4Helicopter Components, Sections,and Systems .4-1Introduction .4-1Airframe .4-1Fuselage .4-2Main Rotor System .4-2Semirigid Rotor System .4-2Rigid Rotor System .4-3Fully Articulated Rotor System.4-4Tandem Rotor .4-6Coaxial Rotors .4-6Intermeshing Rotors .4-6Swash Plate Assembly .4-6Freewheeling Unit.4-7Antitorque System .4-7Fenestron .4-8NOTAR .4-8Antitorque Drive Systems .4-8Engines.4-8Reciprocating Engines.4-8Turbine Engines .4-8Compressor .4-10Combustion Chamber .4-10Turbine .4-10Accessory Gearbox .4-10Transmission System .4-10Main Rotor Transmission .4-11Dual Tachometers .4-11Structural Design .4-12Clutch .4-12Belt Drive Clutch .4-12Centrifugal Clutch .4-13Fuel Systems .4-13Fuel Supply System .4-13Engine Fuel Control System .4-14Carburetor Ice .4-14Fuel Injection.4-15Electrical Systems .4-16Hydraulics .4-16Stability Augmentations Systems .4-17Force Trim .4-17Active Augmentation Systems .4-17Autopilot.4-18Environmental Systems .4-18Anti-Icing Systems.4-19Engine Anti-Ice .4-19Airframe Anti-Ice .4-19Deicing .4-19Chapter Summary .4-19viiiChapter 5Rotorcraft Flight Manual .5-1Introduction .5-1Preliminary Pages .5-2General Information (Section 1) .5-2Operating Limitations (Section 2) .5-2Instrument Markings .5-2Airspeed Limitations .5-2Altitude Limitations .5-3Rotor Limitations .5-3Powerplant Limitations .5-3Weight and Loading Distribution .5-4Flight Limitations .5-4Placards .5-4Emergency Procedures (Section 3) .5-4Normal Procedures (Section 4) .5-5Performance (Section 5) .5-5Weight and Balance (Section 6) .5-5Aircraft and Systems Description (Section 7) .5-5Handling, Servicing, and Maintenance (Section 8) .5-5Supplements (Section 9) .5-6Safety and Operational Tips (Section 10) .5-6Chapter Summary .5-6Chapter 6Weight and Balance .6-1Introduction .6-1Weight .6-2Basic Empty Weight.6-2Maximum Gross Weight .6-2Weight Limitations .6-2Balance.6-2Center of Gravity .6-2CG Forward of Forward Limit .6-3CG Aft of Aft Limit .6-3Lateral Balance .6-3Weight and Balance Calculations .6-4Reference Datum .6-4Chapter Summary .6-4Chapter 7Helicopter Performance .7-1Introduction .7-1Factors Affecting Performance .7-2Moisture (Humidity) .7-2Weight .7-2Winds .7-2Performance Charts .7-2Height/Velocity Diagram .7-2The Effect of Weight Versus Density Altitude.7-3Autorotational Performance .7-4

Hovering Performance .7-4Sample Hover Problem 1 .7-5Sample Hover Problem 2 .7-5Sample Hover Problem 3 .7-6Climb Performance.7-6Sample Cruise or Level Flight Problem .7-8Sample Climb Problem .7-8Chapter Summary .7-9Chapter 8Ground Procedures and FlightPreparations.8-1Introduction .8-1Preflight.8-2Minimum Equipment Lists (MELs) andOperations with Inoperative Equipment.8-2Engine Start and Rotor Engagement .8-3Rotor Safety Considerations.8-3Aircraft Servicing .8-4Safety in and Around Helicopters .8-4Ramp Attendants and Aircraft ServicingPersonnel .8-4Passengers .8-4Pilot at the Flight Controls .8-6After Landing and Securing .8-6Chapter Summary .8-6Chapter 9Basic Flight Maneuvers .9-1Introduction .9-1The Four Fundamentals .9-2Guidelines .9-2Straight-and-Level Flight .9-3Technique .9-3Common Errors .9-3Turns .9-3Technique .9-3Slips .9-4Skids .9-4Normal Climb .9-5Technique .9-5Common Errors .9-5Normal

This handbook supersedes FAA-H-8083-21A, Helicopter Flying Handbook, dated 2012. Gyroplane information can be found in the FAA-H-8083-20, Gyroplane Flying Handbook. This handbook is