Rotorcraft

FAA Rotorcraft Collective: Sharing Low-altitude Airspace with Drones Midair Collision video, March 2024

https://youtu.be/mZSLZGImITU?list=PL5vHkqHi51DTAkNwV1ZlHydXxPUCjmiRt

Collisions between drones and aircraft are on the rise. Since 2017, there have been in the USA at least six confirmed and another six probable drone collisions with airplanes, helicopters, and hot air balloons, causing significant damage.

Most of these incidents happened to helicopters. These collisions have occurred mainly below 500 feet and some even in controlled airspace. Traditional aircraft always have the right of way over drones, but drone operators don’t always see and avoid in time and air traffic controllers...

Listen to the safety tips provided by Scott Newsome, FAASTeam Representative.

AIRATTACK Magazine, Issue 32 was published on March 1st, 2024.
https://indd.adobe.com/view/e461404d-86c2-4322-8033-13ba486a3065

Not very well known in Europe, this NZ Kia Kaha Media Group Magazine doesn't address air combat as the name could let to believe but firefighting - another type of combat.

It includes the article Black Hawk Tanks, Improving the Breed by Paul Kennard (picture below).

Discover the other AIRATTACK Magazine issues - a superb collection, at:
https://www.airattackmag.com/

HAI replaced by Vertical Aviation International (VAI)
February 24, 2024
https://contentsharing.net/actions/email_web_version.cfm?recipient_id=3…

Excerpts from the VAI Newsletter:
"Our vision at VAI is clear and audacious: to be the world’s most vital membership association leading the evolution and expansion of vertical flight.

While our name and appearance have evolved, the most important change is our expanded focus: we support all aircraft capable of vertical or short takeoff and landing—and yes, that absolutely includes helicopters. Those aircraft complete missions that no other aircraft can accomplish, and we are proud to represent them.

We rebranded to expand our reach, and so VAI focuses on what unites us: the unique capabilities of vertical flight. If you design, build, fix, fly, supply, or support vertical aviation, then you belong in VAI!

Beyond the name change, our commitment to offering the industry's most effective advocacy, communication channels, safety programs, education, and networking opportunities remains steadfast.

Welcome to Vertical Aviation International!"

Signed Nicole Battjes, Chair, VAI Board of Directors, and
James A. Viola, VAI President and CEO

Advice for helicopter pilots in harsh winter conditions
Article by by Anette Kruhaug Haldorsen, Jan. 9, 2022
https://en.ehc.no/advice-for-helicopter-pilots-in-harsh-winter-conditio…
https://www.businessairnews.com/mag_story.html?ident=23445

Norway is a demanding country for helicopter operations. There are many factors involved during the winter season. Icing, white-out, snow landing, weather, flameout, fuel, starting in cold weather, parking outside, skids stuck to the ground, frozen ground and more.

Quote:
To avoid white-out it’s important to:
1. Avoid flying at low altitude over snow covered surfaces without prober references.
2. Do not fly into heavy snow showers.
3. If it’s not possible to see the difference between ground and horizon, turn around or land.

Different technics may be used to reduce the risk of entering self-induced white-out conditions:
1. If possible, stop in high hover and try to blow the snow away. Be aware of different snow types, and that the snow may start to recirculate suddenly when the helicopter is close to the ground.
2. Do not attempt to land if there is no object you can use as a reference during landing.
3. Perform a fast approach with a slightly forward movement and avoid low hovering.
4. Turn the nose of the helicopter, so the reference is visible at all time and fly close to it.
5. Make use of landing lights.
6. At take-off, lift the helicopter slowly to light on skids. If white out conditions occur land immediately, if not a max performance take off shall be performed with a slightly forward movement and always keep a point as a reference. Avoid hovering.

More in this informative article.

I use this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Christmas time and a Happy New Year! Michel, ESPN-R Coordinator

In relation to the volcanic eruption in Iceland mentioned below, EASA has published on Dec. 19, 2023 an update to the Safety Information Bulletin on managing the risk of volcanic ash events.

https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/newsroom-and-events/news/easa-issues-safe…
https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2023-13#download

Iceland volcano erupts on Reykjanes peninsula, 22:17, Dec. 19, 2023
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67756413

Quote: A volcano has erupted on the Reykjanes peninsula of south-west Iceland after weeks of intense earthquake activity.
About 4,000 people were evacuated last month from Grindavik, a fishing town about 4km (2.5 miles) away.
The eruption started north of the town at 22:17 local time (22:17 GMT) on Monday, the Icelandic Met Office said.

Thumb up for the helicopter pilots operating in this risky area!
Fire is never a pilot's best friend.

Do you remember the EASA Volcanic Ash rules and guidance material?
https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/safety-management/volcanic-ash

EASA Handling Unanticipated Yaw (topic of the year) video now with an accompanying article, Dec. 15, 2023
https://www.easa.europa.eu/community/topics/handling-unanticipated-yaw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg5WtgthVyc

Unanticipated yaw is a high-risk phenomenon that can result in Loss of Control In-Flight (LoC-I) accidents, the number one killer also for rotorcraft.

This video is about a professional pilot that performs a training landing as part of an exercise with firefighters. During the short final, he experiences and recovers from unanticipated yaw. Pilots must be aware of and understand the risk of an unanticipated yaw and know how to prevent and recover from it. The key message is: Be prepared to experience unanticipated yaw and should that happen, decisively apply full opposite pedal to stop the yaw and recover control over the situation.

Thank you for sharing this material through your professional networks and on social media.