Autoratation with slight loss of tail rotor during power rec

[ColtDeltaElite10mm]

This video shows that a power recovery auto is not a true FULL DOWN AUTO! Its a rapid decent with a power recovery at the bottom; maneuver. Two completely different things. By not training how to do a real full down auto is a travesty. Damn insurance companies dont allow it and it robs the srudent of good training.

[benjyboba]

Was this a loss of rotor revs and a torque reaction from the engine. I done something simular on my rc model. I'm also learning to fly real heli's and shall hopefully be practising some autorotation soonish. I don't know about full down auto but any practise is good. Only done 6 hours and can take off, land, sport turn, transition, climbing and decending. I just seem to have a knack for hovering but have to admit how much skill is required is unbelivable.

[mattkreps123]

As a CFI I can tell you that was NOT LTE that was rolling power on to fast without being quick on the pedals.

[bruno600]

dont open the throttle too strong or torque will enter too strong and u cant press right pedal in time! 

[Closhua]

The yaw to the right was cause by the torque when the sprag clutch reengaged as the engine rpms caught the rotor rpms. You definitely need to anticipate that when recovering from an auto.

[obese1konobe]

You should rename this - How not to recover from an Auto in an R22.

Its always the power recovery that causes more accidents than the auto itself. Low and slow with low inertia blades is a bad place to be.

[ohlordmiker]

Reminds me of when I was practicing for CFI checkride... we did about 8 auto's in a row. Then on takeoff my instructor says "quickstop". So being used to rolling off throttle with down collective i slightly rolled off before I caught myself. Maybe as they power recovered and pulled pitch someone accidentally rolled off slightly. That would explain the excessive yaw and rpm horn.... ??

[ohlordmiker]

Maybe you caught a weird crosswind at the end?

[motokid032]

Thats what I was thinking..Vortex ring state of the T/R.

[killawarra]

every autorotation u can step away from alive is a good autorotation

[ADRidge78155]

I'd think that with a field elevation of 5300, throw in a nice sunny day, your DA was probably well over 6 grand. It sounded like you maybe didn't roll back on well enough at first during the power recovery. Happened to me a few times, but at 644'MSL it's a different ballgame.

[Ricks550]

I've had a spin around in one of my first autos....nearly ate one. Heli flying can be dangerous, but it's more enjoyable than almost anything I can think of.

[JlerchTampa]

Scale RC heli pilot here (aka a wanna be) :-)

"Why so much right rudder during non-powered decent?"

I would have thought the forward velocity would let the tail weather vane and necessitate neutral rudder position (no net thrust from the rudder)

Do Full Scale helis setup the rudder pedals so that even pedals = proper tail rotor anti-torque thrust while in hover and or forward flight?

[Magpul]

The sound was the low main rotor RPM light and horn.

[helicopterR22]

was that auto from 2000' ?

[Magpul]

Auto was probably from about 1000 agl

[helicopterR22]

oh we do our autos from about 500'agl and 180's at a 1000'. that wasnt supposed to be a fulldown was it? it was kinda strange seeein that lowrpm light come on so low. or was it cuz you stomped in the left pedal?

[Magpul]

Field evevation here is abuot 5300 feet. They like a little more time for the autos in case something goes wrong.

[helicopterR22]

that auto looked like it was from about 2000' lmao

[RecycleGrinderGuy28]

Whew...good job!

[luisbarillas]

wow scary shit there bro.

nice practice tough, will make you have more knowledge on what to expect in someday it happens again. =)

[blairelliotts]

Nice long story, you screwed up, it happens!

[Magpul]

Part of learning is making mistakes. One of the reasons I post these videos is for others to learn from them. It is easier to learn if you know what is going on.

[vortexringstate123]

loss of tail rotor effectiveness? hahaha the problem is you werent putting enough left pedal in to oppose the torque reaction which happens when you raise the collective, nothing wrong with tail rorotr, or its effectiveness in this video, please dont tell me your an instructor, please tell me your the student!

[Magpul]

After the auto flare I added power and left pedal. I was too early on the left pedal and the nose started going left. I eased off the left pedal just as the main rotor torque kicked in. This swung the nose right. I added full left pedal but the nose kept turning right (loss of tail rotor effectiveness) and the low RPM horn sounded. After about a quarter turn the tail now facing into the wind halted the rotation and I managed to regain complete control.

[helicopterR22]

hmm...you encountered a right yaw upon power recovery initially due to pilot error(easing up on left pedal).the lte you suggest would indicate a dead left xwind. your right yaw would have encountered further LTE via weathercocking. unless you are suggesting weathercocking was the initial problem in which you landed with a tail wind. MR disk interference would be a no factor here. but if you look closely upon recovery your pedals were CENTERED. maybe it was LTE doubtful i thought.

[helicopterR22]

i cant help but agree. LTE relative to his plea suggests Tail rotor vortex ring state(partial) which would be the effect of a due xwind. the right yaw that ensued would put him in a tail wind condition,weathercocking. unless weathercockin was the problem, which would mean he landed with a tail wind. neither anectdote fits the bill in my opinion, but if you look closely, upon recovery the pedals are CENTERED. ive been in partial LTE during a quick stop-...you spin a lil faster.

[Magpul]

I remember reasonably straight wind at us. Not a tail wind. I have done tailwind autos before and they are much slower to stop at this altitude. I thought as the tail rotor faced into the wind it had enough power to stop the rotation.

[JoMo91]

you need to go straight from right pedal (because of the lack of torque) to left pedal because of the increase in torque!

[whanekom]

Agree with Worldcrime - just a little late on the left pedal there, but hang in there not a bad try will get better all the time

[madeljacky]

I bet you near shit for a second or two there,i know i do.

[Messer262]

I do that all the time :).

Of course I only have 20 hours and about 2-3 hours of autorotations :P

[worldcrime]

Hello! A little left pedal on recovery would have prevented this.