Autorotation - Landing a Helicopter without Engine Power

Autorotation seems a bit scary at first but once you realize how precise an autorotation can be, flying helicopters seems much safer. Helicopter pilots have to demonstrate an autorotation to an examiner as part of earning a license and practice the technique frequently.

In this clip Wayne turns the helicopter 360 degrees and lands almost directly under the spot where he initiated the auto. You might not normally practice a turn like that in an auto, but it's nice to know that in a pinch, if there aren't any good spots to set it down in front of you or to the side, you've got more choices.

N24RB is an old Enstrom F28A helicopter and perhaps not so pretty, but it's well-maintained, in excellent mechanical condition, and great to fly. I learned to fly, soloed, and took my private check ride in 24RB, and I enjoy coming back to it.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Dewitt Spain
• Enstrom
• Helicopters
• Autorotation
• Helicopters Inc

[nipponhouseplayer]

Three Enstrom Blades 180 pounds of steele, One Robinson R-22 180 lbs of Steele

[ratsbane]

@nipponhouseplayer Hahaha... I think the entire R-22 weighs SLIGHTLY more than 180 lbs, but the mass in the Enstrom blades and rotorhead does make for a much more tame and controllable autorotation. I sat through (in the back seat) a 480b auto for the first time last week - it was even more sedate and drama-free.

[notar1]

Good Job!!!!

[ratsbane]

Thanks!

[Stevebacca]

He probably meant increased the collective, it increases the lift from the still rotation blades, but at the cost of RPM's.

[MSLTUL]

Watching almost feels like driving a car in compared to flying a fixed wing.

[chopperdude407]

we do all full touch autos at the training facility im attending. doing most of training in the bell 47 g2 then finishing off in the bell 206 i really hate that r22 scary little machine no blade interia inn that sucker

[EduEnYT]

@chatsalot94 read the description

[210482fmj]

thign to remember with a helicopter is rotors are its wings. if the rotors stop being abale to spin effectivly then auto rotation is not going to work. if you damage the rotor blades seriously it is game over

[QeXeQ]

what's happening if i turn off the key?? :D

[videotater]

@CharlieKLima Autorotation works with a complete engine failure. It's your way to "glide" to a forced landing without power. You can trade altitude for forward speed, and that gets the rotor going around, like a pinwheel in the wind. Once you have enough rotation, you can glide in, flare, and touch down with very moderate or no forward speed.

Helicopters are really amazing machines, and the folks who fly them get a LOT of respect from me! They are vry tricky to handle in certain situations

[videotater]

@chatsalot94 the pilot did that. demonstration of the ability to make a turn while autorotating. If you are heading in the direction of "no good place to land here.." you'd better be able to take a look around and point yourself in a different direction.

In fixed wing aircraft, the std procedure is to make a spiraling descent over your intended point of emergency landing when dead-stick. Not a helo pilot, but I liked the demonstration of a rudder turn (turning the helo with the rudder pedals)

[zorbazig]

Nice vid, thanx !!!

[TheitaniofRome]

@chatsalot94 the rotor blades are the same as airplane wings just smaller so if u have forward speed they will create lift since they have enough airflow

[mattnsim]

I got scarred just watching.. great job.