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