Instructor » Flight Training » Gyroplane Syllabus
Syllabus Summary
Preparation for flight and action after
Basic Concepts
- Taxiing
- Effect of Controls
- Straight and Level
- Climbing and Descending
- Turns - Medium, C & D
- Slow Flight
Circuits Training
- Circuit Intro
- Circuit Considerations
- Engine Failure after Takeoff
- Crosswind Circuits
- Glide Approach
- Vacating & Joining
- Radio Failure
- FLWOP
Advanced Manoeuvres
- Steep Turns
Maximum Rate Turns
- Short-Field Takeoff & Landing
- Low Flying Intro
- Low Flying Consolidation
- Precautionary Landing
- Terrain & Weather Awareness
- Basic Mountain Flying
Instrument Flying
Compass Use
IF - Intro
IF - Limited Panel
IF - Unusual Attitudes
Preparation for flight and action after
Personal preparation
- Be Fit and enthusiastic
- Ensure Logbook records are neat and complete in all respects
- Be able to Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the privileges, limitations and currency requirements of the applicable certificate
Aircraft documents
- Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the aircraft’s documents
- Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the aircraft’s limitations
Weather, NZAIP and supplements
- Obtain all Met data appropriate to the proposed or hypothetical flight
- Obtain, review and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the relevance of NOTAM’s to the proposed or hypothetical flight
- Demonstrate ability to analyse ARFOR’s, TAF, METAR and SPECI, SIGMET if applicable
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the contents and use of the AIP Volume 4 and VNC
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of flight planning data and be able to make a sound go/no-go decision
Aircraft performance and operating requirements
- (1) Use all appropriate performance charts, tables and data
- (2) Use the appropriate conditions to accurately and quickly calculate the take-off and landing distance
- Complete the calculations required in (1) and (2) within 30 minutes
- Ensure sufficient runway length is available for take-off and landing by correctly comparing distance required to distance available
- Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of all seasonal factors affecting aircraft performance
Fuel management
- Accurately calculate fuel requirements, including reserves
- Accurately establish the quantity of fuel on board and convert this to flight time, including reserve
- Correctly operate the auxiliary fuel pump in accordance with the aircraft’s flight manual
- Select the appropriate fuel tank for start, taxi and take-off in accordance with the aircraft’s flight manual
- Monitor tank selection and fuel consumption in flight converting to flight time remaining, including reserves
Aircraft loading: Including fuel, oil and baggage
- Demonstrate ability to calculate takeoff and landing weight accurately and quickly
- Accurately determine Centre of Gravity position for take-off and landing
- Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the principles of loading and load security
- Complete all performance calculations accurately and in a timely manner
Pre-flight
- Conduct the pre-flight inspection thoroughly and in accordance with the Pilot’s Operating Handbook
- Identify and explain the purpose of significant aircraft features
- Correctly store and secure baggage, freight and loose articles
Emergency equipment
- Ensure passengers are closely supervised on the movement area
- Brief passengers fully on position and use of emergency equipment
- Ensure passengers can operate doors and briefs on any alternative means of escape
- Ensure passengers can operate seat belts and shoulder restraints and ensure they are secure
- Brief passengers fully on the location and operation of an Emergency Transmitter
- Brief passengers on smoking rules, and does not permit it
- Brief passengers thoroughly on actions in the event of an emergency and to keep hands and feet clear of controls at all times
Engine Start, Warm Up and Shutdown
- Correctly position the aircraft for starting with emphasis on avoiding the creation of a hazard to aircraft, objects or people
- Correctly set brakes
- Start, check and operate the engine, observing all limitations, in accordance with the flight manual
- Observe all engine limitations prior to taxiing in accordance with the flight manual or checklist
- React rapidly in accordance with the aircraft’s flight manual in response to a simulated engine fire
- Shut down the engine in accordance with the aircraft’s flight manual or checklist
- Secure the aircraft in accordance with the aircraft’s flight manual and complete all post flight actions
Engine Checks, Run-up and Operation
- Demonstrate knowledge of all engine operating limitations as specified in the aircraft’s flight manual and complete the run-up in accordance with the checklist
- Operate the engine within its limitations at all times smoothly, precisely and prudently, avoiding sudden temperature changes
Pre Take-Off Checks
- Complete pre take-off checks
- Carry out a thorough pre take-off briefing, including the departure procedure (if applicable)
Air Traffic Service Procedure
- Obtain and record ATIS
- Obtain a clearance or broadcast intentions as and when appropriate
- Evaluate ATS clearances and instructions, complying or rejecting as appropriate
- Read back all appropriate instructions, information and clearances
- Use correct aviation phraseology at all times
- Communicate in an appropriate, authoritative and assertive manner
- Record and set QNH, cross check altimeter(s) for accuracy by an acceptable method and can fully describe unattended altimeter setting procedures
Threat and error management
- Exhibit a high level of situational awareness with emphasis on operational factors
- Exhibit superior knowledge of human factors, particularly those relevant to the operation
- Verbalise the decision making process with emphasis on any decision influenced by the operational environment
Radiotelephony tuning and procedures
- Maintain a continuous listening watch, guarding the appropriate radio frequencies
- Use a clear concise, and well modulated voice when communicating by radio
- Communicate in an appropriately authoritative and assertive manner
- Use correct aviation phraseology at all times
Lookout (critical task)
- Maintain a continuous and systematic lookout both on the ground and in the air
- Maintain VMC to ensure VFR flight at all times
- Maintain a high level of situational awareness by building a mental picture of the relative position of all traffic which may potentially affect the flight
Flight Orientation
- Demonstrate thorough knowledge of the airspace boundaries, VFR lanes and reporting points of the local area
- At all times during the flight remain orientated with no likelihood of unintentionally infringing controlled airspace
- Use VFR reporting points and make compulsory position reports correctly and punctually
Taxiing
Aim:
To manoeuvre the gyro on the ground at an appropriate speed, following a selected path, and stopping at a nominated point.
Considerations:
- Speed Control
- Inertia
- Throttle operation
- Braking operation
- Fast walking pace
- Surface, Slope, Wind
- Directional Control
- Nosewheel steering,
- Differential braking
- Rudder steering (slipstream)
- Pedal operation
- Control Positioning
- Rotors turning or static
Airmanship:
- Lookout
- Rotor tip clearances
- Slipstream considerations
- Right of way rules
- Aerodrome layout
- Windsock location
- Radio use
Aircraft Management:
- T's and P's suitable
- Park brake operation
- Brake check
- Avoid using power and brake together
- Seat and pedal position
- Caution surface conditions
- No reverse available
- Brake failure procedure
Human Factors:
- Clean windscreen/visor
- Blindspots
- Move the head
Exercise:
- Moving off
- Lookout
- Close throttle, release park brake
- Increase power to overcome inertia
- Close throttle
- Test brakes
- Maintaining constant speed
- Anticipate power required
- Taxi at a fast-walking pace
- Avoid using power against brake
- Maintaining constant direction
- Look well ahead and to the sides, not just over the nose
- Turning
- Lookout - scan left & right for traffic/obstacles
- Rudder, Power, &/or differential braking
- Stopping
- Lookout and anticipate nominated point
- Throttle closed
- Apply brake smoothly
- Once stopped, park brake on
- Set idle engine RPM
- After landing (Rotors turning)
- Bring gyro to a stop
- Move stick fwd & keep into wind
- Taxi slowly off runway
- Brake Failure
- Close throttle and steer away from obstacles
- Collision imminent, Ignition off
Objectives:
- Perform brake check smoothly as soon as the aircraft begins to move
- Control taxi speed without excessive braking
- Recognise and avoid hazards
- Position controls correctly
- Park gyro into wind for run-up, wheel straight
- Park gyro correctly after flight
Effect of Controls
Aim:
To demonstrate the effect movement of the controls, have on the gyro in flight & on the ground.
Considerations
- 3 axes of movement
- Longitudinal
- Roll - Stick - Rotor disc
- Lateral
- Pitch - Stick - Rotor disc
- Normal
- Yaw - Pedals - Rudder
- Longitudinal
- Production of lift
- Aerofoil Shape
- Angle of Attack
- Rotor RPM
- Inertia
- Slipstream
- Rudder
- Throttle
- Engine/Propeller RPM
- Trim
- Remove stick force
- Attitude vs Horizon
Airmanship:
- Lookout
- See and be seen
- Clock code
- Handover of controls
- "I have control/You have control"
- "Follow me through"
- Area Orientation
- Local landmarks
- IMSAFE
- Fly using Horizon
Aircraft Management:
- Throttle use
- Appropriate grip
- Smooth movements
- Push forward to increase power
- Pull back to decrease power
- Stick use
- Positive and smooth movements
- Pedal use
- Feet position
- One pedal moves forward, the other moves back
- T's & P's
- Green & normal
Human Factors:
- Blindspots
- Move the head
- Stress/Information Overload
- Practise helps to overcome
Exercise:
- Taxi to holding point
- Attitude vs Horizon
- Effect of primary controls
- Stick aft - Nose pitches up
- Airspeed and Engine RPM reduces
- Stick forward - Nose pitches down
- Airspeed and Engine RPM increases
- Stick left - Aircraft rolls left
- Stick right - aircraft rolls right
- Left Pedal - nose yaws left
- Right pedal - nose yaws right
- Stick aft - Nose pitches up
- Airspeed
- higher speed
- Rudder more effective
- Smaller movements required
- lower speed
- rudder less effective
- Larger movements required
- higher speed
- Slipstream
- higher power
- rudder more effective
- lower power
- rudder less effective
- higher power
- Power
- increase
- pitch up, yaw left, roll right *
- decrease
- pitch down, yaw right, roll left *
- increase
- Trim
- holding forward pressure
- trim forward *
- holding back pressure
- trim back *
- holding forward pressure
- After landing
- stop, stick forward then into wind, taxi off runway
Objectives:
- Smooth positive movements of controls
- Keep constant attitude with power changes
- Appreciate less airflow over rudder = less effectiveness and more movement required
- Lookout ahead and to the sides before turning
- Locate reference points of area for orientation
- Be able to trim the aircraft to maintain an attitude
Straight and Level
Aim:
To fly the gyro at a constant height, speed, and direction.
Considerations:
- 4 forces acting in flight
- Lift, Weight, Thrust, Drag
- Equilibrium
- Lift = Weight
- Thrust = Drag
- Production of Lift
- Angle of Attack vs Airspeed
- Power + Attitude = Performance
- Trim to remove stick force
Airmanship:
- Lookout
- See and be seen
- Sectored scan - 20 degrees/2 seconds
- Clock code
- Handover of controls
- "I have control/You have control"
- "Follow me through"
- Area Orientation
- Local landmarks
- VFR Minima's
- Distance from cloud
- Visibility
- IMSAFE
- Fly using Horizon
Aircraft Management:
- Throttle use
- Appropriate grip
- Smooth movements
- Push forward to increase power
- Pull back to decrease power
- Stick use
- Positive and smooth movements
- Pedal use
- Feet position
- One pedal moves forward, the other moves back
-
- Green & normal
- Cruise ERPM
- Fuel Management
Human Factors:
- Blindspots
- Move the head
- Stress/Information Overload
- Practise helps to overcome
Exercise:
- Select
- ref point on horizon
- ref altitude
- Demo S&L
- note
- attitude relative to horizon (level in pitch)
- disc level in roll
- in balance
- trimmed to maintain attitude
- airspeed
- note
- Maintain (LAI)
- Lookout
- ref point, heading constant
- Attitude
- visual check nose attitude, disc level
- Instruments
- confirm visual check (ASI, ALT, ERPM, Balance)
- Lookout
Student practice: maintaining S&L
- Off Altitude
Small adjustment (<50’)
Low - raise nose slightly
High - lower nose slightly
Large adjustment (>50’)
Low - Increase Power, raise nose
High - Decrease Power, lower nose
Off Heading
Stick & Rudder in direction required
- Out of Balance
- String straight
- Ball centred
- S&L
- lower power
- note higher nose attitude
- higher power
- note lower nose attitude
- lower power
Objectives:
- Achieve and maintain S&L flight at nominated altitude +/- 100feet
- Maintain a heading +/- 5 degrees
- Trim the aircraft to maintain S&L flight
- Maintain a good lookout for collision avoidance
- Remain in VMC
- Navigate aircraft from ADEP to nominated area and back
- Demo familiarity with airspace boundaries
- Monitor fuel consumption during flight
- Confirm fuel pumps on and fuel pressure
- Operating the throttle smoothly, avoiding abrupt temperature changes
Climbing and Descending
Aim:
To climb and descend with a constant airspeed and direction and level off at pre-selected altitudes
Considerations:
- Forces acting in a Climb
- Thrust = Drag + RCW
- Climb Performance
- Depends on power available
- Best ROC speed
- Normal climb
- Full power
- Best ROC speed
- Cruise climb
- Glide descents (engine failure)
- Speed maintained by lowering the nose attitude
- Use idle power
- Best glide speed
- Cruise descent
Airmanship:
- Lookout
- climb nose attitude = less vis
- Situational Awareness
- Threat & Error management
- VFR Minima's
- Minimum heights
- Airspace limits
- Listen out
- Handover of controls
- IMSAFE
- Fly using Horizon
Aircraft Management:
- Use of controls
- Positive and Smooth
- T's & P's
- Green & normal
- Climb operations
- Time limit at full power
- Descent operations
- Prolonged glide
- Fuel Management
Human Factors:
- Altitude
- Sinuses
- Scuba diving and flying
- Vision
- Empty sky myopia
Exercise:
- Select
- Ref point
- Climb (PAT)
- Select Altitude to level off at
- Power
- Full power (rudder)
- Attitude
- Set for best ROC
- Trim
- to maintain attitude
- Lookout, Attitude, Instruments (LAI)
- Level off (Anticipate altitude by 20 feet)
- Power
- Decrease to cruise power (rudder)
- Attitude
- Select cruise speed
- Trim
- to maintain attitude
- Lookout, Attitude, Instruments (LAI)
- Power
- Descent
- Select altitude to level off at
- Power
- Reduce to idle rpm (rudder)
- Attitude
- Set for best glide speed
- Trim
- to maintain attitude
- Lookout, Attitude, Instruments (LAI)
- Level off (Anticipate altitude by 50 feet)
- Power
- Increase to cruise power (rudder)
- Attitude
- Select cruise speed
- Trim
- to maintain attitude
- Lookout, Attitude, Instruments (LAI)
- Power
- Cruise Climb
- Increase speed to more than best ROC
- Cruise Descent
- Increase power to above idle
- Increase speed to more than best glide
Objectives:
- Maintain a nominated climb and descent speed +/- 5 knots
- Maintain a heading +/- 5 degrees
- Trim the aircraft to maintain climb and descent attitudes
- Maintain T's & P's within acceptable limits
- Clearing the flight path ahead of the aircraft
- Remain in VMC
- Navigate aircraft from ADEP to nominated area and back
- Demo familiarity with airspace boundaries
- Listen to communications from ground stations and other aircraft
- Use the aircrafts radio to communicate clearly and concisely
- Use correct aeronautical phraseology at all times
Turns - Medium
Aim:
To turn the gyro with a constant angle of bank, constant altitude, and in balance.
Considerations:
- Lift vector
- Adverse Yaw
- Performance in the climbing turn
Airmanship:
- Lookout
- Scan technique
- Listen out
- Situational Awareness
- IMSAFE
- Fly using Horizon
- VFR Minima's
Aircraft Management:
- Throttle use
- T's & P's - Green & normal
- Fuel Management
Human Factors:
- Disorientation
- Resisting bank
- Blindspots
Exercise:
- Select ref point
- Select ref altitude
- Demonstrate medium turn
- Note attitude, angle of bank, balance, trim, airspeed
- Turn Entry
- Turn Maintenance
- Turn Exit
- Climbing Turn
- Descending Turn
Lesson Objectives:
- Trim the aircraft to maintain level, climb and descent attitudes
- Maintain T's & P's within acceptable limits
- Clearing the flight path ahead of the aircraft
- Entering, maintaining, and exiting from level turning manoeuvres with smooth and coordinated control applications, maintaining altitude +/-100 feet and no major deflection in balance
- Maintaining situational awareness and orientation through lookout and the selection of a suitable reference point
- Maintain a nominated level, climb and descent speeds +/- 5 knots
- Remain in VMC
General Objectives
- Navigate aircraft from ADEP to nominated area and back
- Demo familiarity with airspace boundaries
- Listen to communications from ground stations and other aircraft
- Use the aircrafts radio to communicate clearly and concisely
- Use correct aeronautical phraseology at all times
Slow Flight
Aim:
To slow the gyro, control it in straight and level and turning flight, maintaining a constant altitude at a low airspeed and return it safely to normal operating airspeeds.
Considerations:
- Power available vs Power required graph
Airmanship:
- Lookout
- Listen out
- Situational Awareness
- IMSAFE
- Fly using Horizon
- VFR Minima's
Aircraft Management:
- Throttle use
- T's & P's - Green & normal
- Fuel Management
Human Factors:
- Blindspots
Exercise:
- Select reference point
- Select reference altitude
- Demonstrate medium turn
- Note: attitude, angle of bank, balance, trim, airspeed
- Turn Entry
- Turn Maintenance
- Turn Exit
- Climbing Turn
- Descending Turn
Lesson Objectives:
- Trim the aircraft to maintain level, climb and descent attitudes
- Maintain T's & P's within acceptable limits
- Clearing the flight path ahead of the aircraft
- Entering, maintaining, and exiting from level turning manoeuvres with smooth and coordinated control applications, maintaining altitude +/-100 feet and no major deflection in balance
- Maintaining situational awareness and orientation through lookout and the selection of a suitable reference point
- Maintain a nominated level, climb and descent speeds +/- 5 knots
- Remain in VMC
General Objectives
- Navigate aircraft from ADEP to nominated area and back
- Demo familiarity with airspace boundaries
- Listen to communications from ground stations and other aircraft
- Use the aircrafts radio to communicate clearly and concisely
- Use correct aeronautical phraseology at all times
Circuit Intro
AIM: To fly an orderly pattern around the aerodrome circuit in accordance with NZAIP procedures using the most suitable runway
CONSIDERATIONS:
Take Off
- Swing on T/O
- Slipstream
- Yaw Left Keep straight
- Torque
- Roll right on ref point
- Slipstream
- Wind
- Crosswind
- a/c weathercocks into wind
- Headwind
- shorter ground roll
- steeper climb
- better obstacle clearance
- Tailwind
- greatly longer ground roll
- shallow climb
- poor obstacle clearance
- Crosswind
Landing
- Wind
- headwind
- shorter ground roll
- steeper approach
- tailwind
- longer ground roll
- shallow approach
- Power
- Controls ROD
- Nose attitude
- Controls Airspeed
- headwind
Airmanship:
Right of Way (ROW)
aircraft landing have ROW over aircraft taking off
aircraft in the circuit have ROW over aircraft joining
Follow at a safe distance, do not overtake or cut in front of other aircraft
All turns in the circuit direction
Circuit height 1000' AAL unless otherwise shown
Aircraft Management:
Human Factors:
IMSAFE
Situational Awareness
lookout/listen osut
close proximity to other aircraft
maintain awareness of
your position
other aircraft in the circuit
joining aircraft
Runway perspective
AIR EXERCISE:
Takeoff
- keep straight with rudder
- keep level with stick
- nosewheel balance 1foot off the ground
- smoothly through to full power
- fly level until 60 mph
After Takeoff
- when established in the climb
- positive ROC
- 60mph
- clear of all obstacles
- trim
500ft Point
- Pick ref pt 90° off the nose
- turn onto crosswind
- check a/c is tracking 90° to the runway
Turning Downwind
- Pick ref pt 90° off the nose
- turn onto downwind
- check a/c is tracking parallel to the runway
Objectives (to be confirmed)
- Flys an accurate circuit pattern maintaining the correct circuit height
- Completes pre-landing checks in accordance with the checklist
- Obtains clearances when required, requesting an alternative if necessary
- Establishes a normal approach using full flap when appropriate
- Maintains the recommended approach speed accurately
- Maintains a steady, optimum approach profile, to the round out
- Smooth, timely and correct control applications during transition from approach to round out and landing
- Maintains runway centre line throughout the landing
Circuit Considerations
Engine Failure After Take-off (EFATO)
Crosswind Circuits
Glide Approach
Vacating & Joining
Radio Failure
Forced Landing Without Power (FLWOP)
Steep Turns
Short Field Take-off & Landing
Low Flying Intro
Low Flying Consolidation
Precautionary Landing
Terrain & Weather Awareness
Basic Mountain Flying