I described the situation on the checkride AR, not to show that I'm a fool or a hero of the skys. One of the advantages of this board is to share experiences and opinions. Sometimes it's normally that we discuss some points from a different view and stand.
I described the checkride AR to show some problems you can encounter on an AR entry. Due to the high pitch climb we had a rapidly decreasing NR and IAS. I have made some hundreds of 206 AR's. There is so much difference between an AR entry on level flight (or on descent) with an IAS >> Vy and the described procedure. Rolling the engine to idle on level with good speed is on a 206 really unimpressive. You can count up to 10 and watch with interest the decreasing NR. Pitch down, a slight flare and everything is under control. NR is good, go for the best speed, control the the glide with speed and NR to reach the best landing site. With enough speed it's easy to recover NR. NR drop depends on flight conditions!!!
Skidbiter is right: "a low-inertia rotor is easier to recover" and this an advantage for the R22, compared to other helicopters. But you need speed to flare! And a low inertia rotor is allways tricky on the AR touch down.
Complete real power failure is definitivly other than on practise. Fuel system decelleration time, rest idle power (17hp c20) helps. Look on the h-v diagramm. Why is 300-500 ft with low speed dangerous? It's no problem on an established AR to glide with zero (or negative) speed to reach the best landing site if you have enough altitude to recover the speed for the touch down flare. (the flare decrease the descending rate and gives som extra MR rounds) Needs not so much time. But on this situation you have an established AR and full a/c control! On the AR entry transition with a decreasing NR and low speed it needs much more time. It takes some seconds to come into the AR airflow with additionally bad a/c control. With a very high descend rate on low speed and no effective flare it's not enough rotor inertia available for a smooth touch down.
OK back to R-22: Due to the very low inertia it's clear to get a big NR drop. But as said, relative easy to recover if enough speed is available. Immediately lower the pitch and flare for NR. If you have not enough speed or / and altitude to recover NR, good luck.
Last edited by tecpilot; 12th July 2002 at 21:32.