RI-10CONNOR GOUGEADV HELO

Give this a try: Say you are taking off on a local RI hop with your first approach to Pensacola Regional. Call PNS ASOS, 436-4799, and determine which approach you will be shooting. Brief the approach on the ground before you take off and you will not have to worry about scrambling to get the brief done in a very limited amount of time. You are pretty much getting vectors for the approach from P-cola approach as soon as you check in with them so there is basically no time for anything but the level off check list. Give it a try and see if you get a pat on the back for good head work!

  1. TACAN / NDB procedures
  2. Publications carried on RI flights

L 17/18Volume 14/19 Approach plates

Level Off Check ListNOLA Sectional (New Orleans – VFR Sectional)

Student Approach PlatesPCL (Pocket Check List)

SAR / On Scene Commander ChecklistPensacola Area Training Chart

Approach BriefPartial Panel Card and Hood

Yankee Brief (DD-175-1, weather brief)Helmet, gloves, knee board, clear visor

  1. Altitude restrictions when cleared for approach

If on an airway enroute to the IAF (IAF is on the airway) and “Cleared for the Approach” you may descend to the higher of MEA, MOCA, or the IAF Altitude. If on a feeder route you may descend to the feeder route altitude when cleared for the approach. (Reference AIM 5-4-7, See Appendix)

If holding at a published holding pattern and you are cleared for the approach you may descend to the published holding altitude once you are cleared for the approach. (Reference AIM 5-3-7.l.3, See Appendix)

When given an approach clearance which contains an altitude restriction you must maintain that altitude, or if no altitude is specified and you are not on a published route (airway or feeder route) you must maintain your current altitude until established on a segment of the IAP. (Reference AIM 5-4-7, See Appendix)

  1. Weather requirements for RI flights (RWOP, 3710.7 series)

VFR FLIGHT PLAN

RWOP (1010.B, 5002), FTI (809), AIM (3-1-3),

1.Minimum ceiling-visibility for RI flights:(VFR) 1,000-3

2.Minimum ceiling-visibility for NDZ Departure:500-1

3.Max cloud tops for an NDZ-on-top:3500’

4.Minimum ceiling for instrument autorotations:2500’ (2000 +500 cloud clearance)

5.If planning a NDZ-on-top flight, a VFR-on top Weather Brief (DD-175-1) must be on board the aircraft and a copy must be left with the ODO before departing. Sufficient fuel must be on board to complete the flight, proceed to an alternate, if required, and an additional 10-gal plus 10% / 20 gal min fuel reserve must also be on board.

IFR FLIGHT PLAN

Takeoff Minimums (OPNAV 3710.7R 5.3.3.1)

a. Special instrument rating —No takeoff ceiling or visibility minimums apply. Takeoff shall depend on the judgment of the pilot and urgency of flights.

b. Standard instrument rating — Published minimums for the available non-precision approach, but not less than 300-foot ceiling and 1-statute mile visibility. When a precision approach compatible with installed and operable aircraft equipment is available, with published minimums less than 300/1, takeoff is authorized provided the weather is at least equal to the precision approach minimums for the landing runway in use, but in no case when the weather is less than 200-foot ceiling and 1/2-statute-mile visibility/ 2,400-foot runway visual range (RVR).

Note: Determination that existing weather/visibility is adequate for approach / landing is the responsibility of the pilot.

  1. Approach brief

See Terasse info.doc located in the BI section of the Connor Gouge. He stresses a methodical redundant method that works very well and is incorporated into the cockpit setup. But if you don’t like it here is the standard discussion you saw in the Gouge for BI-00S.

A 5 line approach brief checklist is provided to let the pilot flying the approach know what will occur. The most effective way to brief is to understand the approach by studying chronologically (or cookbook style). Once you’ve given a good brief, go to the 5 line brief and make sure you have covered all the easy-to-miss items. This technique will enable you to fly from a mental picture of your approach brief rather than referring to the approach plate as if you had never seen it. When you’ve demonstrated some proficiency in your brief, your instructor might, in the interest of giving you a dose of fleet cockpit procedures, brief the approaches for you. When this occurs, you are cautioned again not to become complacent. In briefing you while you fly, your instructor is trying to get you to do something some students have to work at: Fly and listen at the same time. Include in your approach brief specific requests you have of your crew.

5 line Approach Brief

1.Approach and Page

2.Weather mins.

3.MDA / DH

4.FAF and timing

5.Missed Approach Point

  1. Cockpit/COMNAV organization

Again, the Terasse Info.doc is a wealth of knowledge in this genre of information.

  1. Required equipment for instrument flight (NATOPS, 3710.7)

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR IMCFLIGHT (NATOPS 4.18)

The following equipment must be operative prior to entering instrument meteorological conditions in the TH-57C:

1. Cyclic force trim system

2. Ministab flight control system (pitch and roll)

3. Main generator

4. Standby generator

5. Battery protection circuit

6. Instantaneous vertical speed indicator

7. Two attitude indicators (one automatically powered by approved standby battery source in the event of power loss)

8. One operable communication system

9. One operable navigation system appropriate to the routes to be flown

10. Radar altimeter

11. Other equipment as required by the operating rules.

Instrument Flight Equipment (OPNAV 3710.7R 5.3.2.1)

a. The pitot heater and all vacuum pressure or electrical sources for the pitot flight instruments must operate satisfactorily.

b. The aircraft shall be equipped with the following instruments in proper operating condition:

(1) Airspeed indicator

(2) Altimeter

(3) Turn-and-slip indicator

(4) A clock displaying hours, minutes, and seconds with a sweep-second pointer or digital readout.

(5) Attitude indicator

(6) Magnetic compass with current calibration card

(7) Heading indicator or gyrostabilized magnetic compass

(8) Vertical speed indicator.

c. Aircraft shall be equipped with deicing or icing control equipment for sustained or continuous flight in known or forecast icing conditions.

d. Navigation lights must operate satisfactorily

Introduce

  1. TACAN approach (minimumof two)

Weather

Navaid Setup (Don’t forget a backup plan incase “something” happens)

Timing If you don’t make this obvious and remind the copilot to start the clock you are begging the IP to fail your DME.

Brief the Approach If your IP likes an in-depth brief, give it to him / her. If not the 5 Items are a good guide.

Clearance For the Approach can’t shoot one without it.

Then it is all about the 6 T’s

  1. Missed approach
  1. En route NAV/fuel consumption checks

Take note of the fuel and time every 6 mins and multiply it by 10. This will give you your fuel flow. (Or every 10 and multiply by 6, every 15 and multiply by 4, etc.) 21 to 27 gpm is a good sanity check. So, this number divided into your fuel supply (minus 20 gallons for min usable fuel and IFR reserve) should give you the number of hours you have remaining.

Try this, take the quantity of fuel you have remaining. Subtract 20 from it, and multiply this number by 2. This will give you a rough estimate, in mins., of the useable fuel you have on board.

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