As I remember it, flew about 3 yrs back, engagement has to be achieved in 35 to 45 seconds (25 to 35 seconds in gusty winds).
Idling rpm should be 16,000 to 19,000 rpm. Advance FFCL slowly and gradually, note eng rpm at which rotor starts to rotate, start stopwatch. This is the ICE (Initial Clutch Engagement). Advance FFCL to get an increase of about 50degC of JPT. To obtain a steady engagement the rotor rpm should be 100 rpm at 15sec and 200rpm at 30sec. If lagging, advance FFCL slightly. Ideally, you should never have to retard FFCL (to avoid fast engagement) so better to increase lesser, crosscheck and advance more if required than advance too much.
See the rate at which rotor rpm is increasing and achieve FCE (Final Clutch Engagement) when the engine and rotor rpm needles mesh.
ICE should be less than 24,000 rpm. Initially it will be lower, about 21,000 for a new clutch and will keep increasing as the clutch wears out. Above 24,000 the clutch needs replacement.
Fast (<35sec) or slow (>45secs) engagement will cause the clutch to overheat and reduce the life in the least and cause it to break up at the worst.
After FCE, advance FFCL gradually, JPT will start reducing, accelerate to full rpm, 33,500 eng and 353 rotor rpm.
Happy flying and happy landings. I was an instructor on Alouette and enjoyed every minute of flying on both the Alouette and the Lama.
