Night Autorotation training
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Italy UK and USA
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Parachute flares
Flying B205s over mountainous desert at night in the 80-90s we used to carry pyrotechnic parachute flares to aid emergency landings. Transit altitude was 2-3000ft AMSL. The brief was to pop the first flare as soon as the emergency warning came on and then turn downwind. Pop the second flare at 1500ft AMSL in autorotation then turn back into wind.
Practised the technique many times to full auto landing (throttle at idle) on a sand strip.
The first flare gave enough light to pick the landing spot. The second flare gave enough light to employ variable attitude flare to slow/zero speed touchdown and it (the flare) usually landed, still burning, within 200yds on a still night. The Huey had the most forgiving autorotation characteristics of any helicopter I've ever flown.
Practised the technique many times to full auto landing (throttle at idle) on a sand strip.
The first flare gave enough light to pick the landing spot. The second flare gave enough light to employ variable attitude flare to slow/zero speed touchdown and it (the flare) usually landed, still burning, within 200yds on a still night. The Huey had the most forgiving autorotation characteristics of any helicopter I've ever flown.
