CA and Pinnacle Ops Flashcards
What speed/height is used when orbiting pads?
50-70KIAS @ 200-500ft AGL
Vy is generally the best speed 65KIAS
What are the main 3 steps to landing in a CA?
Recon
PSWATP
Brief the plan
When first approaching a pad, what is required from the pilot?
- Confirm the CA height w/ RADALT
- Position in an orbit to view the pad
- Select ground features to overfly
Before approaching a pad, what Q’s should the pilot answer?
Correct pad?
Can I see it clearly?
What heigh/speed works best today?
What ground markers should I identify?
How many parts of PSWAT are there and how many for each letter?
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
What is included in the “P” of PSWAT?
Power
- Is the power IAW what was expected on the ground?
- Check GM against required levels
What is included in the “S” of PSWAT?
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?
What is included in the “W” of PSWAT?
Wind
- Does the wind favour a particular approach path?
Wires
- Are there any?
- How to avoid?
What is included in the “A” of PSWAT?
Approach and go around
- What are the possible options? Are there many or few?
- Go around /abort paths?
What is included in the “T” of PSWAT?
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?
An approach plan is a compromise between?
Landing into wind
Providing the best approach angle
Options for an abort/overshoot during the approach
What is included in the PWP for a CA brief?
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
Explain the single angle approach
- 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…
Under what conditions is a go around required? (4)
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
You are about to depart a pad, what are the considerations for an engine failure on departure?
Rate/ability to achieve ETL
Ability to climb OEI
Likely to exceed limits
On departure out of a pad, what is an appropriate time to call flyaway?
Once past the final abort point OR
Achieved ETL
Explain the OGE departure?
- Checks complete
- PWP
- Confirm height loss with current wind - “Clear above, lifting”
- Note height of trees, add height loss and 20 ft (e.g. 60ft trees + 50ft height loss + 20 = 130ftAGL)
- Once at fly away height, depart normally
You have completed your PSWATs and PWP for the approach and are now downwind before the base turn, what must be completed?
Line up the CRS bar
Confirm checks
Brief descending/delayed base turn point
What are the steps in completing a double angle approach?
- 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…
What are the steps in completing a OGE approach?
- 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…
There are 4 types of pinnacle approach, and three types of pinnacle departure, what are they?
Approach: Steep, Shallow, Level and Offset
Departure: Profile, Level and Terrain
Explain wind effects relevant for pinnacle approaches/departures
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
What is a demarcation line and how is it impacted by wind strength?
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
What are the two additional consids regarding pinnacle approaches?
- Turbulence/wind/demarcation line
- Go around options
What are the steps to completing a pinnacle reccie?
- Overfly and confirm Cat 4
- PSWAT
- PWP
Regarding wind in a pinnacle approach, what is considered optimal?
- Offset to stay out of downdrafts in lee of the mountain
- Wind from the direction of the power pedal (left) to minimise PWR needed
Why would you choose each of the different pinnacle approaches?
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
How does a profile departure change when from a pinnacle vs a CA?
- Last safe point of hover not included
- IGE not available
Why would you pick each of the departure options from a pinnacle?
Profile
- Requirement to climb
- Potential turb
Level
- Low cloud base
- No requirement to climb
Terrain flight departure
- Tactical
