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