Task 1040

extract: TC 1-211 AIRCREW TRAINING MANUAL UTILITY HELICOPTER, UH-1H/V SERIES 

TASK 1040
PERFORM VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS TAKEOFF

CONDITIONS: In a UH-1 helicopter with the hover power and before-takeoff checks completed.

STANDARDS: Appropriate common standards plus these additions/modifications:
1. Maintain takeoff heading ± 10 degrees below 50 feet above ground level (AGL).
2. Maintain desired ground track.
3. Maintain aircraft in trim above 50 feet AGL or as appropriate for transition to terrain flight.

DESCRIPTION:
1. Crew actions.
 a. The pilot in command (PC) will determine the direction of takeoff by analyzing the
 tactical situation, the wind, the long axis of the takeoff area, and the lowest obstacles. The PC
 will confirm that required power is available by comparing the information from the
 performance planning card (PPC) to the hover power check.
 
 b. The pilot on the controls (P*) will remain focused primarily outside the aircraft
 throughout the maneuver to provide obstacle clearance. The P* will announce whether the
 takeoff is from the ground or from a hover and his intent to abort or alter the takeoff. The P*
 will select reference points to assist in maintaining the desired ground track.
 
 c. The pilot not on the controls (P) and nonrated crewmember (NCM) will announce when
 ready for takeoff and will remain focused primarily outside the aircraft to assist in clearing
 and to provide adequate warning of obstacles. They will announce when their attention is
 focused inside the aircraft and again when their attention is reestablished outside.
 
 d. The P will monitor the instruments and advise the P* if power limits are being
 approached.

2. Procedures.
 a.From the ground. Select reference points to maintain the desired ground track. With the
 cyclic and pedals in the neutral position, increase collective. As the aircraft leaves the ground,
 maintain heading with pedals and apply forward cyclic as required to smoothly accelerate
 through effective transitional lift (ETL) at an appropriate altitude for the terrain and to avoid
 obstacles. Adjust the cyclic as necessary (approximately 5 degrees nose down), obtain the
 desired climb airspeed, and maintain the desired ground track. Position the collective as
 necessary to clear obstacles in the flight path, and obtain the desired rate of climb. Maintain
 heading with the pedals when below 50 feet AGL or until transitioning to terrain flight; place
 the aircraft in trim above 50 feet AGL. After obtaining the desired airspeed, adjust the cyclic
 as necessary to stop the acceleration. Adjust the collective to continue or stop the rate of
 climb as required.
 
 b. From a hover. Select reference points to maintain desired ground track; maintain heading
 with the pedals. Apply forward cyclic to smoothly accelerate the aircraft through ETL while
 adjusting the collective to maintain the appropriate hover height. Perform the rest of the
 maneuver as for a takeoff from the ground.

Note: Avoid unnecessary nose-low accelerative attitudes. Do not exceed 10 degrees nose
low.

Note: Performing this maneuver in certain environments may require hover out-of-ground
effect (OGE) power. Evaluate each situation for power required versus power available.
Note: The P* should determine the torque required for the planned takeoff technique and
announce the value to the P and NCM(s).
Note: For training, recommended climb airspeed is 70 KIAS with a rate of climb of 500
FPM.

NIGHT OR NIGHT VISION CONSIDERATIONS:
1. If sufficient illumination exists to view obstacles, accomplish the takeoff in the same way as a
visual meteorological conditions (VMC) takeoff during the day. Visual obstacles, such as
shadows, should be treated the same as physical obstacles.
2. If sufficient illumination does not exist to view obstacles, perform an altitude-over-airspeed
takeoff by applying takeoff power first followed by a slow acceleration to ensure obstacle
clearance. The P* may perform the takeoff from a hover or from the ground.
a. Maintain the takeoff power setting until approximately 10 knots prior to reaching climb
airspeed. Adjust power as required to establish the desired rate of climb and cyclic to
maintain the desired airspeed.
b. The P* and NCM should maintain orientation outside the aircraft and concentrate on
obstacle avoidance. The P should make all internal checks and announce when the
instruments show a positive climb inside.
c. Reduced visual references during the takeoff and throughout the ascent at night may
make it difficult to maintain the desired ground track. Knowledge of the surface wind
direction and velocity will assist in maintaining the desired ground track.

3. When performing operations during unaided night flight, ensure that the searchlight or
landing light (white light) is in the desired position. Use of the white light will impair night vision
several minutes. Therefore, exercise added caution if resuming flight before reaching full dark
adaptation.

SNOW/SAND/DUST CONSIDERATIONS: Adjust collective and cyclic as necessary to ascend
vertically. As the aircraft leaves the surface, maintain heading with the pedals and a level attitude
with the cyclic. As the aircraft clears the snow/sand/dust cloud and clears the barriers, accelerate to
climb airspeed and trim the aircraft.

Note: In some cases, applying collective to blow away loose snow/sand/dust from around the
aircraft is beneficial before performing this maneuver.

Note: Be prepared to transition to instruments and execute an ITO (Task 1075) if ground
reference is lost.

Note: At night, use of the landing, search, or anti-collision lights may cause spatial
disorientation while in blowing snow/sand/dust.

CONFINED AREA CONSIDERATIONS: Before departure, confirm the takeoff plan. Perform a
hover power check as required. Reposition the aircraft, if desired, to afford a shallower departure
angle and minimize power requirements. During departure, adjust the cyclic and the collective as
required to establish a constant departure angle to clear obstacles. All crewmembers must be focused
primarily outside for obstacle avoidance.


MOUNTAIN/PINNACLE/RIDGELINE CONSIDERATIONS: Analyze winds, obstacles, and
density altitude. Perform a hover power check as required. Determine the best takeoff direction and
path for conditions. After clearing any obstacles accelerate the aircraft to the desired airspeed.
Note: Where drop-offs are located along the takeoff path, the aircraft may be maneuvered
down slope to gain airspeed.

MUD/MUSKEG/TUNDRA CONSIDERATIONS: Perform one of the following takeoff
techniques:
1. From dry muskeg/tundra areas. A vertical takeoff may be best in drier areas where the aircraft
has not sunk into the muskeg/tundra or where obstacles prohibit motion. Smoothly increase the
collective until the crew confirms that the skids/skis are free. Adjust controls as necessary to
perform a VMC takeoff.
2. From wet areas. In wet areas where the aircraft is likely to have sunk or is stuck in the
mud/muskeg/tundra, the following technique may be best: With the cyclic in the neutral position,
smoothly increase the collective. As hover power is approached, place the cyclic slightly forward
of the neutral position and slowly move the pedals back and forth. Continue increasing the
collective and "swim" the aircraft forward to break the suction of the skids/skis. When free, adjust
the controls as necessary to perform a VMC takeoff.
3. Note: Before performing operations in a mud/muskeg/tundra environment, it is important to
understand dynamic rollover characteristics.

TRAINING AND EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS:
1. Training will be conducted in the aircraft.
2. Evaluation will be conducted in the aircraft.

REFERENCES: Appropriate common references.