PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Hover exit & entry
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Old 15th Oct 2007, 16:24
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paco
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: White Waltham, Prestwick & Calgary
Age: 72
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Here you go - feel free to paraphrase as necessary:

This is defined as allowing trained persons to enter or leave the helicopter without its full weight on the ground, and done where you can't land properly. There should be no danger to third parties and minimal risk to the aircraft, crew, seated passengers and those carrying out the activity (the major consideration is engine failure). Usually, being one or two inches off the ground is enough, but sometimes you might have to go up a couple of feet.

One passenger should be seated before the next gets on board. To give you a decent power margin, the weight should not greater than 95% of the maximum, and you should have at least a 15% power reserve in the low hover anyway. The time in the hover should not be more than the time limit for take-off power. Cargo should not shift.

Your safety briefings should include the effects of C of G changes, especially when it comes to toe-ins. Make sure your passengers transfer their weight slowly (no jumping off, and one at a time!) and not move the helicopter when shifting their baggage or closing doors.

A crew leader should be appointed, who will co-ordinate the procedure with the passengers and crew, normally being the last one out. If a gust of wind causes the aircraft to move, passengers should stay in if they are mostly in, or get out if they are mostly out.

Deplaning Procedure

Seat belts must be unbuckled as instructed, then rebuckled. Only one person or item of cargo should leave the helicopter at a time, from the left side, with the weights being gently transferred to the ground. One person should ensure that all doors are closed after everything has been unloaded. People and cargo should remain huddled ahead of the passenger door where you can see them until you depart.

Emplaning Procedure

Seat positions should be determined beforehand, with people and cargo huddled in a safe place beside the intended arrival area. People must only approach when signalled (either thumbs up, or an exaggerated head nod), from the left side, with only one person or item entering the helicopter at a time. Weights should be gently transferred from the ground to the helicopter. Seat belts should be immediately fastened once seated, and doors closed.

Phil
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