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the helicopter is being crabbed into the wind just as it is when trying to maintain a straight ground track. The amount of crab depends upon the wind velocity and how nearly the helicopter is to a crosswind position. The stronger the wind, the greater the crab angle at any given position for a turn of a given radius. The more nearly the helicopter is to a crosswind position, the greater the crab angle. The maximum crab angle should be at the point of each half circle farthest from the reference line. 

A standard radius for S-turns cannot be specified, since the radius depends on the airspeed of the helicopter, the velocity of the wind, and the initial bank chosen for entry. 

## TURNS AROUND A POINT 

This training maneuver requires you to fly constant radius turns around a preselected point on the ground using a bank of approximately 30°, while maintaining a constant altitude. [Figure 9-17] Your objective, as in other ground reference maneuvers, is to develop the ability to subconsciously control the helicopter while dividing attention between the flight path and ground references, while still watching for other air traffic in the vicinity. 

<img src='content_image/609357.jpg'>

The factors and principles of drift correction that are involved in S-turns are also applicable in this maneu- ver. As in other ground track maneuvers, a constant radius around a point will, if any wind exists, require a constantly changing angle of bank and angles of wind correction. The closer the helicopter is to a direct downwind heading where the groundspeed is 

greatest, the steeper the bank, and the faster the rate of turn required to establish the proper wind correc- tion angle. The more nearly it is to a direct upwind heading where the groundspeed is least, the shallower the bank, and the slower the rate of turn required to establish the proper wind correction angle. It follows, then, that throughout the maneuver, the bank and rate of turn must be gradually varied in proportion to the groundspeed. 

The point selected for turns around a point should be prominent and easily distinguishable, yet small enough to present a precise reference. Isolated trees, crossroads, or other similar small landmarks are usually suitable. The point should be in an area away from communities, livestock, or groups of people on the ground to prevent possible annoyance or hazard to others. Since the maneuver is performed between 600 and 1,000 feet AGL, the area selected should also afford an opportu- nity for a safe emergency autorotation in the event it becomes necessary. 

To enter turns around a point, fly the helicopter on a downwind heading to one side of the selected point at a distance equal to the desired radius of turn. When any significant wind exists, it is necessary to roll into the initial bank at a rapid rate so that the steepest bank is attained abeam the point when the helicopter is headed directly downwind. By entering the maneu- ver while heading directly downwind, the steepest bank can be attained immediately. Thus, if a bank of 30° is desired, the initial bank is 30° if the helicopter is at the correct distance from the point. Thereafter, the bank is gradually shallowed until the point is reached where the helicopter is headed directly upwind. At this point, the bank is gradually steepened until the steepest bank is again attained when head- ing downwind at the initial point of entry. 

Just as S-turns require that the helicopter be turned into the wind in addition to varying the bank, so do turns around a point. During the downwind half of the circle, the helicopter’s nose must be progressively turned toward the inside of the circle; during the upwind half, the nose must be progressively turned toward the outside. The downwind half of the turn around the point may be compared to the downwind side of the S-turn, while the upwind half of the turn around a point may be compared to the upwind side of the S-turn. 

As you become experienced in performing turns around a point and have a good understanding of the effects of wind drift and varying of the bank angle and wind correction angle as required, entry into the maneuver may be from any point. When entering this maneuver at any point, the radius of the turn 

