Mars, not sure what you mean by
in spite of your handle
but my profile is correct.
Firstly, a question; if this is in your company SOPs, isn't the best place for information/guidance the training department?
Obviously, but they seem as confused as I am. Ask one and they have an interpretation, ask another and they disagree. That’s why I’m looking for outside input.
Onshore and offshore departures are totally different and they should be treated as such.
Exactly. Our SOP does not differentiate between the 2 when it comes to this call.
My original post was made in haste; I will try and clarify what I’m looking for.
Firstly, the call onshore (runway) is not in contention, it is offshore where all the confusion lies, so that is what I will try to clarify.
The gist of the SOP (can’t post the SOP, as it may violate policy), is that the PF is to call when he “feels” the a/c (this call is not type specific, applies to all a/c in the fleet) will continue flight in the event of an OEI. The intent of this SOP is so that the PNF is on the same page as the PF.
As you say,
In the absence of any data (or procedures in the RFM or OM), there is no way that the point at which the helicopter becomes ‘go’ oriented can be calculated and any call will be a guess - 35kts can be used as a rule-of-thumb as this is usually quite close to Vstayup.
So, if a donk fails just after forward cyclic input, do you do everything in your power (drop down, etc.) to try and get enough flying speed (35kts?) to stay out of the water, or just ditch?
I think you would be surprised at the answers to that question when raised in a room full of pilots. Some said if they had not called “flyaway”, they were ditching, not even attempting to get flying speed, others said they would try and then if at say 25 feet with rpm and airspeed decaying, they would simply declare “ditching” and flare for touchdown. One even said that he would try to flyaway but blow the floats (S76) anyway!!!
So what I am looking for is input from others to see if this is a call used by other operators.
Helmet fire, as stated above the confusion is when the rejected area is hostile. Of course if you have a safe reject area, that is where you will go if not assured flyaway.