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Old 29th December 2015 | 13:44
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ShyTorque

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SASless, I tend to think that there are too many variables to give a "one size fits all" answer to your question.

During my time as a simulator instructor we were tasked by Boscombe Down to experiment with tail rotor malfunctions in order to provide further guidance on tail rotor failures for RAF Puma pilots.

Until that time the only tail rotor "failure" covered in the FRC checklist was drive shaft failiure. We flew many different scenarios in the sim which enabled us to provide guidance on other types of failures. We were careful not to give actual drills to follow by rote because correct diagnosis of the actual type of malfunction was critical and we were "flying" a simulator, not the real aircraft and the response of the sim may not have been exactly as per the real airframe.

The FRCs said that in the event of a tail rotor driveshaft failure the pilot should "find a speed and power combination which will enable the aircraft to be flown to a suitable area for an engine off landing" - total rubbish! It isn't safely possible to do that in a Puma; the only suitable speed power combination with no driveshaft is nil power and best auto speed.

I do know that we probably saved one aircraft after it suffered a tail rotor pitch control failure, rather than a drive shaft failure. Using the guidance we provided and later taught, the aircraft was successfully ditched in the North Sea. The crew escaped unscathed and the aircraft was recovered, despite floats not being fitted. The pilot told us that had he not received the training we provided he would have just pulled both throttles, which would probably have caused total loss of aircraft control in the circumstances.
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