R44 autorotation from 1500 feet

(Engine on) autorotation onto a small sandy island from 1500 feet, in an R44. 200 miles south of Brisbane.

Landing area selected when directly overhead, followed by airspeed reduction to zero, then spiral descent, then a little airspeed for the flare. Throttle not closed, as not worth the risk in such an isolated location.

Note the clues as to wind direction given by the birds taking off when helicopter is on short finals.

It’s well worth practising engine failure drills, as rare it may be but it’s happened to me for real. In my opinion, arriving accurately at a suitable spot, at the right height, preferably into wind, and without too much forward speed is the most important bit.

For more information on learning to fly a helicopter with me, please visit TimGilbert.com

3 Responses to “R44 autorotation from 1500 feet”

1. flapback says:

   February 18, 2011 at 7:12 pm

   Are these zero airspeed descents possible in the R22?
2. Tim Gilbert says:

   February 18, 2011 at 8:05 pm

   Hi flapback

   I’ve seen them demonstrated safely by seasoned instructors in an R22, so yes, possible but not for beginners.

   In an R22 in particular you have to ensure that you don’t let the RRPM get too high, which means care with the lever, and you need lots of airspeed in hand as you start to flare to make up for lack of rotor inertia.

   The value of this skill is that if an engine ever quits on you (very rare with a piston helicopter) it will be a matter of unlikely good fortune if a large field is directly ahead of you, upwind, reachable at best glide speed.

   In reality, if you are trained and in practise at manoeuvring the machine with great precision in autorotation it will help you find your way into a possibly tight spot (which may be immediately below you as in the example of the tiny island in the video), at the right height and at the right speed.

   If you can do that, and flare to less than a walking pace, you’ll almost certainly walk away.

   Obviously the smaller the helicopter, the more airspeed you need to reintroduce before you get to short finals.

   Works really well in a JetRanger too.

   Needs training and practise.
3. chrnxn says:

   February 20, 2011 at 6:31 pm

   i did a zero speed in a 22 at torrance for the robinson
   safety course ,,,
   the first one was very intense ,!!!!
   the instructor owns orbic helicopters in cali
   very very good pilot ,helped me relax in the seat ,
   air speed before the flare is very critical