The Helicopter Pilot’s
Handbook
Phil Croucher
Legal Bit (Small Print)
This book is sold as is without warranty, either express or implied, including but
not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular
purpose. Neither the Author, the Publisher nor its dealers or distributors assumes
liability for any alleged or actual damages arising from its use. In other words:
This book contains English translations of official documentation, which changes,
so there could be technical inaccuracies. As a result, alterations will be made to this
book without reference to anyone, and it's not guaranteed to suit your purposes. In
addition, no liability can be accepted by the author or publisher, their distributors
or dealers for situations arising from its use.
Copyrights, etc.
All proprietary trade names, trademarks and names protected by copyright are fully
acknowledged.
This book copyright © 2003 Phil Croucher. ISBN 0-9681928-3-1
Graphics, photos copyright © Phil Croucher, with help from Corel Corporation
Front photo © Mike Reyno, courtesy Cougar Helicopters (it's the one in Titanic).
Notice is hereby given that the name PHILIP ANDREW CROUCHER, in capital
letters, or any variation thereof, is claimed by Phil Croucher, which name may not
be used without permission.
All rights reserved. Up to three pages of this publication may be used at any time
for non-profit purposes, such as training (where everyone in the class has a copy),
or in Operations Manuals. Otherwise, no part of it may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the author.
Dedication and thanks
This book owes a lot to many people who have taught me a few things along the
way, including Tony Boulter, Peter Boitel-Gill, John Wood, John Marsden, the late
John “Chalky” White, John Woodhouse, Neil Laird, Ron Howard, Dave Moss,
Dave Ankin, Ray Portlock, Paul Smith, Shawn Coyle, Eric Stoof, Don Plattel, Jim
Filippone, Jeff Mitchell, Dan Beck, Northern Mountain Helicopters, Guardian
Helicopters, Cougar Helicopters and several others, especially Jim Gray, Peter
Rover and other Transport Canada or CAA members, many of whom have asked
to remain anonymous. Special thanks to Paul Gibson for his LongRanger info.
About the Author
Phil Croucher holds JAR, UK, US and Canadian licences for aeroplanes and
helicopters and has over 7200 hours on 35 types of aircraft. He has at various times
been a Chief Pilot, Operations Manager and Training Captain, and is responsible
for the safety column in Vertical Magazine (www.verticalmag.com). He can be
contacted at www.electrocution.com
Table Of Contents
INTRODUCTION 1
The Job 1
Getting Started 2
Further Reading 4
QUALIFICATIONS 5
JAR 5
Integrated Courses 6
Modular Courses 6
ATPL 6
Canada 6
USA 9
HOW HELICOPTERS WORK 11
Tail Rotor Drift 14
Tail Rotor Roll 14
Rotor Systems 15
In flight 15
Ground Resonance 16
Dynamic Rollover 16
Ground Effect 17
Recirculation 17
Vortex Ring 18
SPECIALISED TASKS 19
External Slung Loads 19
Ground Crews 21
Equipment 22
Setting Up 23
Hooking Up 27
Setting Down 30
ii The Helicopter Pilot’s Handbook
Vertical Reference (Longlining) 31
EM Bird 37
Aerial Application 38
The Rotor Wake 38
The Procedure 39
Spray Drift 41
Seeding 42
Fire Suppression 43
Aerial Ignition 47
EMS/Air Ambulance 49
Pleasure Flying 50
Running The Site 51
The Technical Bits (for UK) 55
Special Events (for UK) 57
Line Patrol 59
Wires 60
Power Line Cleaning & Maintenance 61
Civil Aviation Notification Procedure (CANP) 61
Pipeline Survey 61
UK Police Operations 61
Prisoners 62
Persons under the influence 62
Bodies and remains 62
Police Dogs 62
Weapons and Munitions 62
Hover Emplaning and Deplaning 63
Formation Flying 64
Landing Helicopters on Roads 64
Parachute Dropping 65
Mountain Flying 65
Illusions 67
Winds 68
Landing Sites 70
Approaches 72
Log Pads and Platforms 74
Summary 75
Night Flying 75
Winter Operations 76
The Weather 76
Whiteout 80
Taking off 80
The Cruise 80
Landing 81
Aerial Filming and Photography 82
The Movies 83
Aerial Survey 84
Table Of Contents iii
Air Testing 85
Seismic Support 85
Avalanche Control 87
Aerial Harvesting 88
　
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