AMA Class1 - Last maneuver & idle up

[tgxtrf]

Hi all

A quick question for those practicing AMA C1, the last maneuver "Landing Approach to Eye Level Hover" may require switching from Idle up (Flying upstairs) back to Normal (Hovering). Any special technique to prep your curves to avoid the "mode switch jerk" while descending?

Option1
Switch back to Normal mode before execution. However my Normal mode is for hovering, bottom stick at -3 with no GV-1 feels like autorotation !!

Option2
Continue using Idle up til the maneuver is over, after the end call then switch to Normal and kill engine.

Any other idea?

Thanks, Jay

[head_node]

Hey Jay,

Why not switch to normal mode before declaring the final maneuver? That way you can get all situated before the judging begins.

[edit], dang my reading skills are terrible. I see where you stated basically the same thing. So, what you're really worried about is flying the maneuver in a mode that feels like an auto. Hmm..I'll have to think on that one. The rules say you just need a constant decent rate. I believe that you could manage that without a governor, and still make it nice and constant.

Honestly, I'm still flying that one backwards (from eye-level back up to the start) to get the entry point and slope right. So, I don't know yet how I'll tackle the entry yet either.

-Joey

[ErichF]

If you are coming in with that much negative pitch, you are coming in too fast. Take it slower, maintaining a constant descent rate and angle. That angle is not required to be 45°, only that it be constant from the point you call the start of the manuever (at least 10M up and 10M out).

You should be able to easily perform this manuever in normal, hovering flight mode, as it is simply a slow, steady, hovering descent to eye level.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by tgxtrf

Hi all

A quick question for those practicing AMA C1, the last maneuver "Landing Approach to Eye Level Hover" may require switching from Idle up (Flying upstairs) back to Normal (Hovering). Any special technique to prep your curves to avoid the "mode switch jerk" while descending?

Option1
Switch back to Normal mode before execution. However my Normal mode is for hovering, bottom stick at -3 with no GV-1 feels like autorotation !!

Option2
Continue using Idle up til the maneuver is over, after the end call then switch to Normal and kill engine.

Any other idea?

Thanks, Jay

[ziper_it]

How the 10m up are measured?

Francesco

[heliwreckr]

AGL

[plankdriver]

"How the 10m up are measured?"

By eye. The 10m is a minimum. I teach the class 1 guys to go far out and stablish a smooth 30degress slope with steady and smooooth decend, as they get close to 10m, call the begining.

Chago

[ziper_it]

Thanks

So it's more on the smoothness than on precise measurement.

Francesco

[The Dude II]

So it's more on the smoothness than on precise measurement.

For the approach, yes.

Tip as to when to switch back from Idle-up to Normal...after the roll is "complete" - either before you start your turn to setup the approach - or just after the turn.

Take your time after the turn...get the heli settled and lined-up...halt forward flight or get it to a crawl...then get your descent established (obviously further out & up than the 10m x 10m)...call the beginning of the last move after you've already got it looking as pretty as possible and near the 10m x 10 m mark.

[WreckRman2]

I found coming to a complete stop before the maneuver was easier. Stop, flip into normal, begin to draw your line and once established call the start. Remember you're only judged after your caller stays 'starting now' so having a good line and decent started before saying start is important.