CA and Pinnacle Ops

Question 1

What speed/height is used when orbiting pads?

Answer 1

50-70KIAS @ 200-500ft AGL

Vy is generally the best speed 65KIAS

Question 2

What are the main 3 steps to landing in a CA?

Answer 2

Recon
PSWATP
Brief the plan

Question 3

When first approaching a pad, what is required from the pilot?

Answer 3

1. Confirm the CA height w/ RADALT
2. Position in an orbit to view the pad
3. Select ground features to overfly

Question 4

Before approaching a pad, what Q’s should the pilot answer?

Answer 4

Correct pad?
Can I see it clearly?
What heigh/speed works best today?
What ground markers should I identify?

Question 5

How many parts of PSWAT are there and how many for each letter?

Answer 5

Power, Size, Shape, Slope, Surface, Sun/moon, Surrounds, Wind, Wires, Approach/go around, Terrain, Turbulence, Take off

P =
S = 6
W = 2
A = 1
T = 3

Question 6

What is included in the “P” of PSWAT?

Answer 6

Power
- Is the power IAW what was expected on the ground?
- Check GM against required levels

Question 7

What is included in the “S” of PSWAT?

Answer 7

Size
- Will the aircraft fit with 10ft obstacle clearance?

Shape
- Does the shape favour an approach path?
- Round vs skinny/narrow

Slope
- Within slope limits?
- Impact on HIGE?

Surface
- Mud/Rocks/tree stumps, are there any noticeable risks

Sun/Moon
- Approaching into the sun?
- Is the pad shaded from moon light?

Surrounds
- Trees, cliffs, wires, mountains, buildings, houses, farms, how will they impact an approach?

Question 8

What is included in the “W” of PSWAT?

Answer 8

Wind
- Does the wind favour a particular approach path?

Wires
- Are there any?
- How to avoid?

Question 9

What is included in the “A” of PSWAT?

Answer 9

Approach and go around
- What are the possible options? Are there many or few?
- Go around /abort paths?

Question 10

What is included in the “T” of PSWAT?

Answer 10

Terrain
- Trees, cliffs, wires, mountains, buildings, houses, farms, how will they impact an approach?

Turbulence
- Increase/decrease as you approach?
- Impact on approach path?

Take off
- Once landed will a take-off be possible?
- Many take off options or few?

Question 11

An approach plan is a compromise between?

Answer 11

Landing into wind
Providing the best approach angle
Options for an abort/overshoot during the approach

Question 12

What is included in the PWP for a CA brief?

Answer 12

Power
Wind
- Direction/strength/turb as req
Plan
- Direction of approach, chosen profile
- Description of landing area
- Action on DVE
- GO around options
- Crew duties

Question 13

Explain the single angle approach

Answer 13

• Begin the approach @40kts 300ft AGL
• “Speed below 60, clear harness clear doors”
• “Commencing the approach” when pad is 4 fingers above the cowling
• Committed

If getting steep, go-around…

Question 14

Under what conditions is a go around required? (4)

Answer 14

RoD above 500ft/min below 40 KIAS
Briefed approach cannot be maintained (e.g. briefed single angle but now too shallow/steep)
Less than 10ft obstacle clearance
Power loss prior to committed

Question 15

You are about to depart a pad, what are the considerations for an engine failure on departure?

Answer 15

Rate/ability to achieve ETL
Ability to climb OEI
Likely to exceed limits

Question 16

On departure out of a pad, what is an appropriate time to call flyaway?

Answer 16

Once past the final abort point OR
Achieved ETL

Question 17

Explain the OGE departure?

Answer 17

1. Checks complete
2. PWP
   - Confirm height loss with current wind
3. “Clear above, lifting”
4. Note height of trees, add height loss and 20 ft (e.g. 60ft trees + 50ft height loss + 20 = 130ftAGL)
5. Once at fly away height, depart normally

Question 18

You have completed your PSWATs and PWP for the approach and are now downwind before the base turn, what must be completed?

Answer 18

Line up the CRS bar
Confirm checks
Brief descending/delayed base turn point

Question 19

What are the steps in completing a double angle approach?

Answer 19

• Begin the approach @40kts 300ft AGL
• “Speed below 60, clear harness clear doors”
• “Commencing the approach” bore sight an approach angle
• “Clear to descend”
• Transition to steeper angle approach

If getting steep, go-around…

Question 20

What are the steps in completing a OGE approach?

Answer 20

• Begin the approach @40kts 300ft AGL
• “Speed below 60, clear harness clear doors”
• Set approach angle to terminate 60/80ft above tree height
• Establish OGE hover
• “Clear to descend”

If getting steep, go-around…

Question 21

There are 4 types of pinnacle approach, and three types of pinnacle departure, what are they?

Answer 21

Approach: Steep, Shallow, Level and Offset
Departure: Profile, Level and Terrain

Question 22

Explain wind effects relevant for pinnacle approaches/departures

Answer 22

Valleys
- Wind flows through valleys creating updrafts along the sides
- Strong wind flow across a valley creates a vortex with down drafts on far side and up drafts on inner side

Hills
- Can create vertical/horizontal rotors as wind flow over the feature and brakes off from laminar flow

Question 23

What is a demarcation line and how is it impacted by wind strength?

Answer 23

A point where airflow flowing around a feature goes from laminar to turbulent, increases in angle (gets steeper) as wind speed increases

In stronger winds turbulence starts further forward on the slope

Question 24

What are the two additional consids regarding pinnacle approaches?

Answer 24

• Turbulence/wind/demarcation line
• Go around options

Question 25

What are the steps to completing a pinnacle reccie?

Answer 25

• Overfly and confirm Cat 4
• PSWAT
• PWP

Question 26

Regarding wind in a pinnacle approach, what is considered optimal?

Answer 26

• Offset to stay out of downdrafts in lee of the mountain
• Wind from the direction of the power pedal (left) to minimise PWR needed

Question 27

Why would you choose each of the different pinnacle approaches?

Answer 27

Steep
- Best in strong winds/turbulence (because you stay above the demarcation line)
- More option/opportunity for aborts

Shallow/Level
- Easier to fly and gauge rate of closure
- Low cloud limits height

Offset approaches
- Strong winds and low cloud
- Limited abort options into wind
- Approaching a ride line/saddle

Question 28

How does a profile departure change when from a pinnacle vs a CA?

Answer 28

• Last safe point of hover not included
• IGE not available

Question 29

Why would you pick each of the departure options from a pinnacle?

Answer 29

Profile
- Requirement to climb
- Potential turb

Level
- Low cloud base
- No requirement to climb

Terrain flight departure
- Tactical