PICK UP & SET DOWN

Objectives

• To pick up from the ground to a hover before takeoff.
• To set down on the ground from a hover after an approach.

Performance standards: Private (10° heading, ±2 feet); Commercial (5° heading, ±1 foot).

Left skid hangs down due to compensation of translating tendency. The rotor disc is tilted to the left. Two steps to lift up to avoid dynamic rollover.

1. Pick up check.
2. "1st step" — Become light on the skids.
   • Raise collective to become light on the skids and simultaneously 1 inch of left pedal.
3. "2nd step" — When light on skids, break the ground.
   • Start using right cyclic and left pedal to straight climb.
   • Raise collective slowly and at a constant rate to avoid pop-up and dynamic rollover.
4. Stabilize at 5 feet.

Avoid sideward and rearward movement with cyclic to avoid dynamic rollover.

Common errors

• Failing to ascend vertically and slowly.
• Excessive collective.
• Overcontrolling pedals.

Left skid hangs down due to compensation of translating tendency. Ground effect at 2' or less skid clearance — expect rough air and more lift.

1. Descend with slow, constant sink rate.
   • Lower the collective.
   • Right pedal.
   • Cyclic for straight down.
2. When left skid contacts ground,
   • Left cyclic, and simultaneously
   • Right pedal.
   • Lower collective.
3. When both skids are fully loaded,
   • Neutralize the pedals and cyclic.
   • Collective all the way down.

Common errors

• Terminating to a hover and then vertical landing.
• Touching down with forward movement.
• Approaching too slow, requiring excessive power.
• Approaching too fast, causing a hard landing.
• Not maintaining skids aligned with direction of travel at touchdown.