Interesting views but the FAA don't agree
From the AAIB annual report of yesterday:-
Robinson R22 Beta Ely, Cambridgeshire 6 January 2012 Accident
AAIB Bulletin: 2/2013
FACTOR: N/A
Synopsis
The Robinson R22 helicopter was flying from Manston to Fenland. Near Ely, witnesses on the
ground saw it pitch and roll rapidly, the two main rotor blades separated from the rotor head and the
aircraft fell to the ground. The pilot was fatally injured.
SAFETY RECOMMENDATION – 2012-039
The Federal Aviation Administration should amend the requirements in Federal Aviation Regulation
Part 27 to reduce the risk of ‘loss of main rotor control’ accidents in future light helicopter designs.
Response
The FAA responds: We appreciate the analysis the AAIB performed and also for bringing this issue
to our attention. The report, AAIB Bulletin: 2/2013, was very thorough and clearly makes the case
that low inertia rotor systems provide significant challenges to low-time rotorcraft pilots.
Unfortunately, this is a matter of physics that our certification regulations cannot adequately address.
While we agree with the AAIB that helicopters with low inertia rotor systems have unique control and
handling challenges, we do not believe that the certification rules of FAR Part 27 are the best means
of addressing these challenges. Because these challenges are primarily operational in nature, we
continue to believe that pilot training and awareness of the physics of low inertia rotor systems are
the best means to ensure safe operation of this type of rotorcraft.
The Robinson Model R22 and R44 helicopters are the two most prolific examples of rotorcraft with
low inertia rotor systems. FAA Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 73- Robinson
R22/R44 Special Training and Experience Requirements was written in response to the unique
challenges of these specific rotorcraft. We still consider SFAR 73 as the best means of addressing
these challenges. SFAR 73 could be expanded to other low inertia rotor rotorcraft if necessary