1-212th AVIATION REGIMENT

COMBAT MANEUVERING FLIGHT

AND

POWER MANAGEMENT

To provide a basic guideline for the performance of Combat Maneuvers and Power Management to support successful high energy employment.

INTRODUCTION

Basic Maneuvering Flight Aerodynamics

Just as rotor performance is affected by the aircraft being in or out of ground effect, there are several characteristics that aviators must be aware of to successfully perform combat maneuvers.

- Transient Torque- Mushing- Conservation of Angular Momentum- High Bank Angle Turns

Transient Torque

This is seen in the cockpit as a momentary increase in torque when the cyclic is displaced left of center. Conversely, as right cyclic is applied, a reduction in pitch on the advancing blade results in a reduction in induced drag that tends to increase Nr and a corresponding transient torque decrease.

Mushing

Mushing results during High G maneuvers when at high forward airspeeds aft cyclic is abruptly applied. This results in a change in the airflow pattern on the rotor, exacerbated by total lift area reduction as a result of rotor disc coning.

Conservation of Angular Momentum

A rotating body will rotate at the same velocity until some external force is applied to change the speed of rotation.

∞∞9090

11.47311.4738585

5.7475.7478080

2.9232.9237070

2.02.01001006060

1.4141.41441.441.44545

1.1541.15415.415.43030

1.0541.0543.63.61515

1.01.0------00

Load / G Factor

Increase in TR (%)

Bank Angle

∞∞9090

11.47311.4738585

5.7475.7478080

2.9232.9237070

2.02.01001006060

1.4141.41441.441.44545

1.1541.15415.415.43030

1.0541.0543.63.61515

1.01.0------00

Load / G Factor

Increase in TR (%)

Bank Angle

If adequate excess engine power is available, increasing collective pitch will enable continued flight while maintaining airspeed and altitude.

High Bank Angle Turns

UH60 Performance Characteristics

TRANSIENT ROTOR DROOPTo minimize transient rotor droop, avoid situations which result in rapid rotor loading from low Ng SPEED and % TRQ conditions. Initiate maneuvers with collective inputs leading or simultaneous to cyclic inputs. During approach and landing, maintain at least 15% - 20% TRQ and transient droop will be minimal as hover power is applied.

High, Heavy, Hot

When high gross weights are added to the equation, crews must be extremely thorough in mission/performance planning and cover contingencies during crew briefs. Less power margin that results from heavy aircraft and high DAs give crews considerably less flexibility in handling contingencies.

Retreating Blade Stall

During missions with a heavy aircraft in a high, hot environment the onset of retreating blade stall occurs sooner (a good hint is when you notice a reduced VNE during PPC computation).

High gross weight High temperature High DA Low Rotor RPM High G Maneuver High speed flight

REVIEW / DISCUSS

- Combat Maneuver Rules of Thumb

- High, Heavy, Hot Rules of Thumb

Combat Maneuver Do’s

and Don’ts - Every aviator that employs these techniques at the wrong place and time endangers our ability to continue this critical training.

- Only train maneuvers that have a combat application.

- Taking unnecessary risks when carrying a load of combat equipped infantry soldiers can be equated to a Commercial Airline pilot showing off when carrying athletes to the Olympics.

- There is no excuse. Do what the mission requires.

Maneuvering Flight 3000 Series Tasks

3005 Demonstrate / Perform Flight Characteristics at Vh-IAS

3006 Perform Maximum Bank Angle

3007 Perform Maximum Pitch Angle

3008 Perform Decelerating Turn

Perform Flight Characteristics at Vh –

IAS

1. Maintain dual engine maximum torque +0%, -5% torque.2. Establish Vh airspeed + 5 KIAS.

Demonstrate Transient Torque

60° Left

60° Right

100 KIAS 1000MSL

Note TQ

Maintain Altitude

TQTQ

Demonstrate/Perform Maximum Bank Angle

60° Left

100 KIAS 1000MSL

Direction of Flight

270° Turn

Transient TQ

Demonstrate/Perform Maximum Bank Angle

60° Right

100 KIAS 1000MSLDirection of Flight

270° Turn

Transient TQ

400 AGL100Kts

Maximum Pitch Up Angle

70 KIAS30° +0/-5

2000 MSL100Kts

130 KIAS30° +0/-5

Maximum Pitch Down Angle

Start to level before1000 MSL

Level Powered Flt No lower than 400 AGL