Step-by-Step - Upwind / Normal Takeoff
1
HoverStart to Move Slowly - 5' AGLHover▼- ↗ Gentle forward cyclic - start moving slowly from the hover
- ⬆ Up collective to maintain 5' AGL in no wind
- ↙ Forward and left cyclic to maintain 5' - right pedal to keep heading straight
Right Seat NoteLeft hand stays on collective - ready. Forward cyclic is gentle. Hold altitude as you accelerate. Don't rush it.
2
ETLAt ETL ~20 KIAS - Forward Cyclic~20 KIAS▼- ↗ Forward cyclic - allow acceleration through translational lift. Feel the surge - don't fight it.
ETLAt ~20 KIAS the rotor moves into clean air - efficiency increases dramatically. Let the helicopter accelerate naturally. Resist the urge to over-control.
3
ClimbAt 40 KIAS - Start to Climb40 KIAS▼- ↑ Aft cyclic to 60 kts attitude - establish climb attitude
- ⬆ Up collective for T.O.P. - apply climb power
Climb ASAPPattern card: climb as soon as possible - avoid obstacles, reduce noise, maximize engine failure options. Don't loiter low.
4
CrabAbove 50' AGL - CrabAbove 50'▼- 🐪 Crab - pedal to trim, center ball, nose into wind. Straight ground track.
Crab Rule on UpwindPattern card: "Above 50' AGL to Crab." Pedals centered, ball centered, nose angled into wind. Ground track stays straight.
5
Level OffAt 500' AGL - Level Off for 65 kts65 KIAS▼- → Gentle forward cyclic for 65 kts attitude - smooth, not abrupt
- ⬇ Lower collective to maintain 500' - check horizon, no up and down
- ⚠ Caution: Avoid "Low G Condition" - gentle forward cyclic only. Never push aggressively.
Turning to CrosswindOnce established at 500' / 65 kts - up collective in the turn to crosswind to maintain altitude.
Common Errors - Upwind / Normal Takeoff
Failing to use sufficient collective to prevent altitude loss prior to translational lift
Too much power initially
Extreme nose down attitude
Failing to maintain straight ground track
Failing to maintain airspeed
Failing to crab
What to Do on Crosswind
1
TurningTurning Crosswind - Up Collective65 KIAS▼- ⬆ Up collective in the turn - required to maintain altitude through the bank
- 🐪 Continue to crab - maintain ground track with crosswind correction
Pattern Rule - Every TurnCFI card: "In turning, up collective is required to maintain constant rate of climb or descent." Every turn in the pattern - no exceptions.
2
EstablishedCrosswind Established - 500' AGL / 65 KIAS65 KIAS▼- → Straight and level at 500' AGL, 65 KIAS - maintain T.P.A.
- 👀 Look ahead - begin planning your turn to downwind
- ⬆ Up collective in turn to downwind
Climb as Soon as PossibleCrosswind note: climb ASAP to avoid obstacles, noise, and to be at altitude for engine failure options.
What to Do on Downwind
1
EstablishedDownwind Established - 500' / 65 kts65 KIAS▼- → Straight and level at 500' AGL, 65 KIAS
- 🎯 Check target - identify your landing target visually
- 📋 Landing check - complete before you reach abeam position
Landing Check on DownwindCFI card highlights this in yellow. Do your landing check early - not when you're busy starting the descent at the abeam point.
2
AbeamAbeam the Target - Start Descent60 KIAS▼- ⬇ Lower collective ~15" MAP
- ↑ Aft cyclic to 60 kts attitude
- ↔ Right pedal to center trim strings - stay coordinated
Abeam = Target at Your 3 O'ClockFrom the right seat, the target is directly to your right when abeam. That's your cue. Don't wait until you've passed it. Up collective in the turn to base.
What to Do on Base
1
Turning BaseTurn to Base - 400' AGL / 60 kts60 KIAS▼- ⬆ Up collective in the turn - maintain descent rate through the bank
- ✈ Established on base at 400' AGL, 60 kts, 60 kts attitude
2
Glide PathAdjust Approach Angle to 10 deg - Trim Strings60 KIAS▼- 📐 Adjust approach angle to 10 degrees - trim strings moving toward target
- ⬇⬆ Collective manages glide path - raise to shallow, lower to steepen
- ✈ Adjust attitude for gradual descent - 60 kts attitude beginning to transition
X5 deg - Too Shallow - you are high. Lower collective.
O10 deg - On Glide Path - trim strings on target. This is it.
X15 deg - Too Steep - you are low. Raise collective.
Intercept Trim Strings on PadCFI base leg note: "Adjust approach angle on the base - intercept trim strings on the pad." Lock in 10 degrees here. If trim strings aren't on target before you turn final, you're already behind.
3
Decel1500' From Target - Start Deceleration60 to 50 KIAS▼- ↗ Aft cyclic to slow gradually - smooth deceleration begins
- ⬇⬆ Adjust collective for approach angle - maintain 10 degrees as airspeed decreases
- ↔ Use pedal to center trim strings - stay coordinated throughout
Step-by-Step - Final / Normal Approach
1
300' AGL300' AGL - Up Collective~50 KIAS▼- ⬆ Up collective at 300' AGL - maintain approach angle as decel continues
- ↗ Aft cyclic to slow gradually - continue smooth deceleration
- ⬇⬆ Adjust collective for approach angle - trim strings stay on target
- ↔ Use pedal to center trim strings
2
40 KIASAt 40 KIAS - Continuing Deceleration40 KIAS▼- ↗ Aft cyclic to slow down gradually - progressive, smooth deceleration
- ⬇⬆ Adjust collective for approach angle - maintain 10 degrees glide path
- ↔ Use pedal to center trim strings
3
30 KIASAt 30 KIAS - Critical: VSI 300'/min or Less30 KIAS▼- ⚠ Keep VSI at 300'/min or less - circled on your CFI's card. Avoid settling with power.
- ⬆ Use collective to maintain slow sink rate - 300'/min or less
- ↗ Aft cyclic to maintain approach angle - hold 10 degrees glide path
30 Kts - Vortex Ring State RiskBelow ETL with power and high descent rate = Vortex Ring State. Your CFI circled 30 kts on her pattern card. Collective is your fix - keep descent at 300'/min or less all the way to the pad.
4
Below ETLBelow ETL - Maintain Approach AngleBelow 20 KIAS▼- ⬇⬆ Use collective to maintain approach angle - collective is doing all glide path work now
- ⬆ Use collective to maintain slow sink rate - still 300'/min or less
- ← Left pedal for straight heading - as power increases, heading correction needed
5
100' AGLAt 100' AGL - Crab to Straight Heading~20 KIAS▼- → Use pedal to transition from crab to straight heading
- ↔ Cyclic holds ground track - pedals straighten nose to align with pad
Crab to Slip Transition at 100' AGLAbove 100': crab (pedals centered, nose into wind). At 100': use pedals to straighten heading. Cyclic holds ground track. Align with the pad before you arrive. This is a listed common error - don't skip it.
6
Below 50'Below 50' AGL - Straight Heading~10-15 KIAS▼- → Straight heading - nose aligned with pad
- ⬇⬆ Use collective to maintain approach angle - hold glide path to target
Pattern Card Note"Below 50' AGL to Straight heading." Fully transitioned from crab. Eyes outside on the target. Collective managing the descent.
7
ArrivalHover at 5' AGL - 0 KIAS Over Target0 KIAS▼- ✓ Arrive over target at 0 KIAS and 5' AGL
- ↔ Use pedal for straight heading - aligned with pad
- 🎯 Trim strings on the pad - you arrived where you aimed
One Complete PatternTakeoff to Upwind to Crosswind to Downwind to Base to Final to 0 kts / 5 feet over target. Collective managed glide path. Cyclic managed airspeed. Pedals kept you coordinated and aligned. Now do it again - the same way. That consistency is what earns the solo endorsement.
Common Errors - Final / Normal Approach
Improper collective for angle of descent
Failure to make pedal corrections
Failing to maintain airspeed
Too much aft cyclic close to surface
Failing to crab above 100' AGL
Failing to slip below 100' AGL
Standards & Quick Reference
Every number and rule from your CFI's three cards. Know these before every flight.
Complete Pattern - Key Speeds & Actions
| Speed / Altitude | Leg | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 5' hover | Upwind | Forward cyclic, up collective, right pedal. Start moving. |
| ~20 KIAS ETL | Upwind | Forward cyclic - accelerate through translational lift |
| 40 KIAS | Upwind | Aft cyclic to 60 kts attitude. Up collective T.O.P. Climb. |
| Above 50' AGL | Upwind | Crab - pedals centered, nose into wind |
| 500' AGL / 65 kts | Upwind to Crosswind | Level off. Forward cyclic for 65 kts. Lower collective. |
| 65 KIAS / 500' | Crosswind / Downwind | Straight and level. Check target. Landing check on downwind. |
| Abeam target | Downwind | Lower collective ~15" MAP. Aft cyclic to 60 kts. Right pedal. |
| 400' AGL / 60 kts | Base | Turning base. Up collective in turn. Adjust to 10 deg approach angle. |
| 1500' from target | Base | Start deceleration. Aft cyclic gradually. Collective for angle. |
| 300' AGL | Final | Up collective. Maintain approach angle and sink rate. |
| 30 KIAS | Final | VSI 300'/min or LESS. Circled on CFI card - critical. Avoid VRS. |
| 100' AGL | Final | Transition crab to straight heading. Use pedals. |
| Below 50' AGL | Final | Straight heading. Collective manages approach angle. |
| 0 KIAS / 5' AGL | Final | Arrive over target. Hover. Trim strings on pad. |
Rules That Never Change
| Rule | Why |
|---|---|
| Up collective in every turn | Compensates for load factor - maintains altitude or descent rate |
| Crab above 50'/100' AGL | Maintain ground track in crosswind - pedals centered |
| Slip below 100' AGL | Align nose with landing direction - pedals straighten heading |
| 300'/min max below ETL | Prevents Vortex Ring State - collective is the fix |
| Trim strings on target = 10 deg | Primary glide path reference from base to pad |
| Landing check on downwind | Done early - before you're busy with the abeam descent |
| Collective = glide path | Collective controls descent rate and approach angle on final |
| Cyclic = airspeed | Cyclic controls airspeed - not glide path |
| Pedals = coordination + heading | Trim ball centered in cruise - heading alignment below 100' AGL |
| No Low-G pushover | Gentle forward cyclic only - mast bumping risk in R22 |
What Your CFI Is Looking For
Consistency. Not one perfect pattern - the same pattern every single time. Same speeds, same altitudes, same checkpoints, same control inputs on every leg. When she sees you flying the same numbers lap after lap without prompting, that is when she knows you are ready to go alone. You already have the skill. Now prove the reliability. The solo is close.
Flashcards
Pulled straight from your CFI's three cards. Tap a card to flip. Drill the numbers until they're cold-recall automatic.
Card 1 of 1
Question
Tap to flip
Quiz
10 questions per round, multiple choice. Wrong answers are other real pattern numbers - so you drill telling 400 from 500, exactly where it counts.