A question from an outsider
 

Hello everybody, I have joined this forum to find out the truth to a question that was asked on a pensioners forum which I belong to and want to know the correct answer, therefore I am hoping that you lovely people can help me and my friends.

The question was, is it my imagination the helicopters when taking off initially fly backwards before going forward?

I would appreciate your help, thank you.

I believe that, in circumstances where it is not possible to land ahead during the transition to forward flight, helicopters may lift into the hover, then climb backwards for a short distance in order to keep the original landing area in sight ahead and available for re-landing if power is lost.


MJ:ok:

helicopters can actually move in any direction after takeoff.
forward, sideways and rearward.

it is normal practise to try to lift off then move forward to take advantage of the lift increase that occurs in forward flight.

I think the OP is referring to Category A operations in twin engined helicopters.

Essentially if one engine fails at any time after the start of takeoff the helicopter can either return to the point of takeoff or safely climb away. In the case of a confined area or elevated helipad the aircraft will fly 300ft backwards to the Take Off Decision Point (TDP) at height of about 100ft, before accelerating forward and climbing away.

In open airfields, and in single engined helicopters, a forwards takeoff profile is normally performed.