Backward auto...
If you guys are talking about flying backwards in autorotation with a bit of height I’m bored
Sorry Mr. Selfish, if this is all just child's play to you, that you don't want to contribute anything usefull, but that's what I'm gonna talk about!
Anyway...
With a 25kt headwind, a lot of altitidue, and your best spot just below your nose, then the 'backward auto' is a very practical method in a 300cb. As already said, a 360 runs the risk of losing the spot completely and disorientation. In fact I did one of these on my private checkride!
It is really only an extension of a vertical autorotoation with a small rearward component..(not more than 5-10kts). Any more than this, and you might find weathervaning kick you round just when you don't want to. It just seems more as you have the wind moving you backwards too.
In fact, rather than straight back, I prefer to do the auto with the spot out of my side window, and have a very slight sideward component to reposition. That way, I have a good view all the way down (no instrument console and pedals obstructing). When I need to, I just use the pedals to turn towards the spot, forward cyclic to regain the speed, and it turns into a normal autorotation.
Whichever method you use, you must absolutely give yourself enough height to regain the speed. Top of the HV diagram is determined based on a hover. But you already have 1500-2000 fpm of descent with this auto. So I always used HV diagram +200 feet minimum (or generally 600')
Flare Height Training
As for training students to judge flare height in a normal auto, I am a believer of the concept of 'skill progression'. I don't see why everyone starts with autos, when the student is not comfortable with descents and rapid descents, descelerations and quickstops. (Just like how instructors chuck 'hover' practice in on day two!)
One method I used was simply to do 'engine-on' 'rapid-descents' with a quick stop at the end. With the 'psychological pressure of an autorotation' absent, we would do the descent with lower and lower collective pitch, and delay the collective pull longer and longer. Eventually, we would be doing an autorotation profile (flat pitch, flare and pull). Then the only thing to do (to make it an autorotation) would be to roll throttle off at the top, and on at the bottom!
cl12pv2s