## Autorotation with Turns 

Turns (or a series of turns) can be made during autorotation to facilitate landing into the wind or avoiding obstacles. Turns during autorotation should be made early so that the remainder of the autorotation is flown identically to a straight- in autorotation. The most common turns in an autorotation are 90 degrees and 180 degrees. The following technique describes an autorotation with a 180-degree turn. 

The pilot establishes the aircraft on a downwind heading at the recommended airspeed, and parallel to the intended touchdown point. Then, taking the wind into account, the pilot establishes the ground track approximately 200 feet laterally from the desired course line to the touchdown point. In strong crosswind conditions, the pilot should be prepared to adjust the downwind leg closer or farther out, as appropriate. The pilot uses the autorotation entry airspeed recommended by the RFM. When abeam the intended touchdown point, the pilot smoothly reduces collective, then reduces power to the engine to show a split between the rotor rpm and engine rpm and simultaneously applies appropriate anti-torque pedal and cyclic to maintain proper attitude/airspeed. Throughout the autorotation, the pilot should continually crosscheck the helicopter’s attitude, rotor rpm, airspeed, and verify that the helicopter is in trim (centered trim ball). 

After the descent and autorotation airspeed is established, the pilot initiates the 180-degree turn. For training operations, initially roll into a bank of at least 30 degrees, but no more than 60 degrees. It is important to maintain the proper airspeed, rotor rpm, and trim (centered trim ball) throughout the turn. Changes in the helicopter’s attitude and the angle of bank causes a corresponding change in rotor rpm within normal limits. Do not allow the nose to pitch up or down excessively during the maneuver, as it may cause undesirable rotor rpm excursions. 

Pitot-static airspeed indications may be unreliable or lag during an autorotational turn. The pilot should exercise caution to avoid using excessive aircraft pitch attitudes and to avoid chasing airspeed indications in an autorotational turn. 

Note: Approaching the 90-degree point, check the position of the landing area. The second 90 degrees of the turn should end with a roll-out on a course line to the landing area. If the helicopter is too close, decrease the bank angle (to increase the radius of turn); if too far out, increase the bank angle (to decrease the radius of the turn). A bank angle of no more than 60 degrees should be encountered during this turn. Monitor the trim ball (along with one’s kinesthetic sense) and adjust as necessary with cyclic and anti-torque pedal to maintain coordinated flight. Prior to passing through 200 feet above ground level (AGL), if landing or making a 

surface-level power recovery, the turn should be completed, and the helicopter aligned with the intended touchdown area. Upon reaching the course line, set the appropriate crosswind correction. If the collective pitch was increased to control the rpm, it may need to be lowered on rollout to prevent decay in rotor rpm. 

This maneuver should be aborted at any point the following criteria is not met: if the helicopter is not in a stabilized approach to landing profile (i.e., it is not aligned as close as possible into the wind with the touchdown point, after completing the 180-degree turn); if the rotor rpm is not within limits; if the helicopter is not at a proper attitude/airspeed; or if the helicopter is not under proper control at 200 feet AGL. It is essential that the pilot on the controls (or a certificated flight instructor (CFI), when intervening) immediately abort the maneuver and execute a smooth power recovery and go- around. It is important for the CFI who is intervening at this point to remember that the go-around is a far safer option than trying to recover lost rotor rpm and reestablish or recover to the hover or even the preferred hover taxi. 

From all entry positions, but particularly true of the 180-degree entry, a primary concern is getting the aircraft into the course line with as much altitude as possible. Once the collective has been lowered and the engine set to flight idle, the helicopter will lose altitude. A delayed turn will result in a lower altitude when arriving on the course line. Additionally, an uncoordinated flight condition (trim-ball not centered) results in an increased sink rate, which may be unrecoverable if not corrected. 

During the turn to the course line, the pilot should use a scan pattern to see outside as well as inside the cockpit. Of primary importance outside is maintaining the appropriate descending attitude and a proper turn rate. Essential items to scan inside are rotor rpm and centered trim ball. Rotor rpm will build anytime “G” forces are applied to the rotor system. Usually, this occurs in the turn to the course line and during the deceleration flare. 

Throughout the maneuver, rotor rpm should be maintained in the range recommended in the RFM. Rotor rpm outside of the recommended range results in a higher rate of descent and less glide-ratio. When the rotor rpm exceeds the desired value as a result of increased G load in the turn, timely use of up collective will increase the pitch of the blades and slow the rotor to the desired rpm. In an autorotation, rotor rpm is the most critical element, as it provides the lift required to stabilize an acceptable rate of descent and the energy necessary to cushion the landing. Collective should be lowered to the full down position to maintain rotor rpm immediately following a loss of power. However, rapid or 

