Off-Site Landings - Part 4 - Departure, Take-off and Climb Procedures

Michel Masson
Michel Masson • 5 December 2024
in community Rotorcraft
0 comments
0 likes

For the last of four videos on Helicopter Off-Airfield Landing Site Operations, helicopter pilot, instructor and technician Mona Seeberger addresses Departure, Take-Off and Climb procedures. The video and article are mainly based on the EHEST Leaflet HE 3 Helicopter Off Airfield Landing Sites Operations | EASA (europa.eu).

 

Pre-flight inspections

Prior to the departure from the landing site, perform a pre-flight inspection, especially if the public could have accessed the helicopter while it was parked. Depending on the location and period of the year, it could be useful to look for ice or for insects’ nests, which can build up very quickly.

Then perform a thorough site reconnaissance to take another chance to spot and assess hazards, obstacles, wind direction and velocity, sun position, etc., which will lead to a safe departure trajectory. Conditions may have changed since the arrival.

As mentioned in the first video, using the right approach, and then the right departure for the landing site is essential for a safe landing and take-off. It depends on different factors like helicopter performance (single-engine helicopter or a multi-engine helicopter?), weather, terrain, wind direction and velocity, type of obstacles on the path, and size of the landing area – remember the 6S checklist.

Check and recalculate performance again. In case of insufficient power while hovering or during the take-off, try to land back inside the landing site.

Caution: Actively look for trees, cables, poles, antennas and other less visible obstacles, and for other in-coming, flying-over or leaving traffic!

That’s the 4th decision gate: if everything is OK and the risks are under control, you may decide to take-off.

Suggested sequence for take-off and departure from a landing site

  • Pre-take-off checks. 
  • Lookout – take-off using sloping ground techniques. 
  • After take-off checks to include power check.
  • Confirm or reselect take-off path. 
  • Reposition within area if required. 
  • Select forward and lateral markers as appropriate. 
  • Lookout above – check for overhead obstructions. 
  • Transition using appropriate techniques. 
  • Thorough lookout on lifting from the confined area especially for any aircraft overflying /arriving/departing the landing site.

Towering take-off 

  • Position the aircraft in a low hover at the maximum possible distance from forward obstacles. 
  • Smoothly apply power up to maximum power available and climb vertically whilst maintaining heading. 
  • Before climb stops assess height in relation to forward obstacles and if a safe margin start a gentle transition (exchanging ground effect for translational lift). 
  • Aim the aircraft at highest point, but do not increase acceleration towards obstacle until at least level with top of obstacle and the helicopter is still climbing. 
  • When level with top of obstacle increase speed to best angle of climb speed to clear the obstacle. 

Note: If insufficient power to maintain the climb and clear the obstacles then a transition should not be attempted, and the aircraft landed back inside the landing site. 

Vertical climb (to outside ground effect) 

  • Establish low hover in centre of landing site. 
  • Identify forward and lateral markers to ensure no forwards/sideward/rearward movement during climb. 
  • Smoothly apply power up to maximum power available and climb vertically whilst maintaining heading. 
  • Note initial rate of climb decreases with height. 
  • When clear of obstacles, maintaining a rate of climb, adopt a gentle transition forward to prevent weight loss. 

Note: If insufficient power to maintain the climb, then descend vertically and land.

Final word

We hope that these four videos have been good refreshers.At an off-airfield landing site, the approach and landing, manoeuvring, and the take-off procedures are demanding, they require enhanced situational awareness, precautions and control.

Use the 6S checklist and the decision gates.

Expect the unexpected, get prepared and know how to cope.

Fly safe and enjoy flying.

References

EHEST Leaflet HE 3 Helicopter Off Airfield Landing Sites Operations | EASA (europa.eu).

Confined Area Take off's - Helipaddy, (30) Andrew Brandt | LinkedIn.

Threat and Error Management (TEM) for Helicopter Operations | EASA Community (europa.eu).

From Take-Off to Landing | EASA Community (europa.eu).

Helicopter Airmanship | EASA Community (europa.eu).

Spotlight on Safety: Best practices for confined-area operations - ROTOR Media.

HAI Spotlight on Safety: Confined Area Operations (youtube.com).

 

 

 

Be the first one to comment


Please log in or sign up to comment.