SFAR 73 Awareness Training applies to the following helicopters
- Robinson R22
- Robinson R44
- Applicability “SFAR applies to all persons who seek to manipulate the controls or act as pilot in command of a Robinson model R-22 or R-44 helicopter.”
True or False
SFAR 73 Awareness Training is required prior to anyone manipulating R22 or R44 flight controls, UNLESS it is just a quick ‘demo flight’ (with only a few minutes of the prospective student touching the controls) and so not a ‘proper’ flight lesson.
False
- Awareness Training
“ no person may manipulate the controls of a Robinson model R-22 or R-44 helicopter . . . for the purpose of flight unless the awareness training . . . is completed”
True or False
SFAR 73 Awareness Training requires an endorsement.
True
- (a)(1) “and the person’s logbook has been endorsed by a certified flight instructor”
You can find the full SFAR 73 regulation
At the start of Part 61 of the FAR/AIM
SFAR 71 is found at the start of Part 61 of the FAR/AIM or on the Federal Regulations website under
Title 14 → Chapter I → Subchapter D → Part 61 → Appendix
True or False
Anyone can give SFAR 73 Awareness Training, as long all the areas listed in SFAR 73 2. (a)(3) are covered and an endorsement is given.
False
- (a)(3)
“Awareness training must be conducted by a certified flight instructor who has been endorsed under paragraph (b)(5) of this section”
True or False
SFAR 73 Awareness Training is good for both R22 and R44 and is not required to have an expiration date.
True
What are the subject arease to be covered by SFAR 73 Awareness Training?
- Energy Management
- Low G leading to Mast Bumping
- Low Rotor RPM leading to Blade (Rotor) Stall
- (a)(3)
Awareness training . . . consists of instruction in the following general subject areas:
(i) Energy management;
(ii) Mast bumping;
(iii) Low rotor RPM (blade stall); [*rotor stall]
(iv) Low G hazards; and
(v) Rotor RPM decay.
What is Low G?
When the rotor disk is temporarily unloaded, causing the pilot to feel light or weightless
What situations could cause a hazardous Low G situation?
- Pilot abruptly pushing cyclic forward to level after a climb
- Moderate or greater turbulence
- Pilot rapidly pushing cyclic forward to follow falling terrain
- Pilot suddenly pushing the cyclic forward to avoid a bird or other aircraft
Low G Pushovers or turbulence can lead to a rapid (100+ degrees a second) roll to the
To recover from an un-commanded, rapid (100+ degrees a second) roll caused by a Low G Pushover or turbulence, the pilot must immediately
Gradually apply aft cyclic
In hazardous Low G, the pilot must immediately apply gradual aft cyclic to restore positive G forces before applying any lateral cyclic to fix the roll.
See the R44 POH for more information and Robinson Helicopters Safety Notice 11 (SN-11) - Low-G Pushovers - Extremely Dangerous
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True or False
Experienced airplane pilots are especially at danger from Low G Pushovers when flying the R22 and R44. They are more likely to instinctively push the cyclic forward to avoid a collision because that would be a ‘normal’ response in an airplane.
True or False
Low G can be demonstrated if done carefully.
When encountering turbulence, what can a pilot do to reduce the chance of hazardous Low G?
- Reduce airspeed to 60 to 70 KIAS
- Rest cyclic arm on thigh to avoid over-controlling
- Mast bumping is less likely at lower airspeeds - slow to below normal cruise speed and if turbulence is significant slow to 60 to 70 KIAS
- Do not over control, rest your arm on your thigh and allow the aircraft to go with the turbulence
- Depart the area of turbulence if possible, else land as soon as practical.
See more in Robinson Helicopter Safety Notice 32 (SN-32) - High Winds or Turbulence
True or False
Turbulence will likely be most severe on the downwind side of hills, ridges and tall buildings.
The helicopter is more susceptible to turbulence when the aircraft is
Lightly loaded (flying solo for example)
In November 2016 Robinson Helicopters issued a Service Bulletin for both the R44 and R66 to add a yellow arc on the speed indicator from 110 to 130 or a placard for older aircraft. What is the yellow arc telling the pilot?
Only fly in the yellow arc in smooth air
- 110 KIAS should only be exceeded in smooth air
- Doors off limit is 100 KIAS (red and white barber pole)
- Max Continuous Power (MCP) limit is 100 KIAS (red and white barber pole)
In an R22, with the engine running, Low RPM is considered as soon as
RPM drops below the bottom of the green arc (below 101%)
True or False
Low RPM Rotor Stall can happen at any airspeed.
True or False
If the main rotor stalls due to low RPM, a pilot can easily recover by pushing forward with the cyclic, just like in an airplane.
False
If the main rotor stalls, there is a dramatic loss of lift and increase in drag. The increase in drag decreases the rotor RPM further. The loss of lift causes the helicopter to start to fall out of the sky, causing an uprush of airflow that increases the rotor stall further. At this point the situation is unrecoverable and often fatal. We MUST maintain rotor RPM!
Robinson Helicopters Safety Notice 24 (SN-24) - Low Rotor RPM Can Be Fatal
Catastrophic (unrecoverable) rotor stall at 5,000’ MSL can happen if rotor RPM drops below
85%
Catastrophic (unrecoverable) rotor stall can happen if rotor RPM drops below 80%, plus 1% per 1,000 feet of altitude.
So 5,000 feet = 85% (80 %+ 5%)
See Section 4 of the R44 POH
What can often cause Low Rotor RPM?
- Incorrect RPM control in an autorotation
- Rolling the throttle the wrong way (down instead of up)
- ‘Over Pitching’ - pulling up too much collective
- ‘Death Grip’ of the throttle
- Slow or malfunctioning governor
- Engine or transmission failure
What are good indications of Low RPM?
- Reduced engine/rotor noise
- Increased descent rate
- Increased vibration
- Low RPM light and horn
On recognizing Low RPM, the pilot should immediately
Simultaneously lower collective slightly while rolling throttle on
Section 3 of the R44 POH
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FARs108
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HFH Ch2: Aerodynamics of Flight128
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HFH Ch7 Helicopter Performance42
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Pre-Solo Knowledge130
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SFAR 7330
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Weather50
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Navigation and Charts0
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Decision Making2
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Flight Instruments45
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Helicopter Components & Systems3
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R44-II POH Section 1 (General)12
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R44-II POH Section 2 (Limitations)40
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R44-II POH Section 3 (Emergency Procedures)34
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R44-II POH Section 4 (Normal Procedures)16
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R44-II POH Section 5 (Performance)6
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R44-II POH Section 7 (Systems)9
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Cross-Country Planning5
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Weight and Balance5
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HFH Ch11 Emergencies and Hazards1
