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Instructor » Flight Training » Taxiing

TAXIING


AIM:

To manoeuvre the gyro on the ground at an appropriate speed and stopping at a nominated point.

 


CONSIDERATIONS:

Factors affecting taxi speed and stopping distance.

1 Inertia 

  • more power to get started 
  • less power as the gyro is moving   

 

2 Slope              

Uphill

  • more power required to move
  • less braking required to stop

Downhill

  • less power required to move
  • more braking required to stop

 

3 Surface           

  • Grass, long or short, wet or dry  
  • Rough ground, concrete, gravel

 

4 Wind              

  • tailwind, 
  • headwind, 
  • crosswind

 

5 Power

 

Braking

  • Using the hand brake by the throttle
  • feet brakes on/by the pedals

 

Park brake operation   

as applicable to type

 

Directional Control     

  • Rudder pedals to turn the gyro through nose wheel steering
  • Rudder pedals to turn the gyro using slipstream over the rudder
  • Differential braking

 


AIRCRAFT MANAGEMENT:       

  • T's & P's suitable                                           
  • Brake check - speed check                             
  • Avoid using power & brake together           
  • Rotor tip clearances                                      
  • Slipstream considerations                             
  • Instrument checks                                         

 


HUMAN FACTORS:

  • LOOKOUT
  • AIP
  • Give way rules
  • Know Wind Velocity
  • Checklists - STARTIT
  • ATIS
  • Situational Awareness

 


EXERCISE:

1.       Moving off

  • (Rotors turning - Hold stick fwd & into wind)
  • Lookout - Rotor tip clearances
  • Close throttle, release park brake
  • Increase power to overcome inertia
  • Close throttle
  • TEST BRAKES

2.       Maintaining constant speed

  • Anticipate power required
  • Taxi at a jogging pace
  • Avoid using power against brake

3.       Maintaining constant direction

  • Look well ahead and to the sides, not just over the nose

4.       Turning

  • Lookout - scan left & right for traffic/obstacles
  • Rudder pedals only
  • (Rotors turning - move stick into the wind)
  • Power as required

5.       Stopping

  • Lookout and anticipate nominated point
  • Throttle closed
  • Apply brake smoothly
  • Once stopped, park brake on
  • Idle rpm (2000rpm)

6.       Brake failure

  • Close throttle and steer away from obstacles
  • Collision imminent, Mags off