1-212th AVIATION REGIMENT
COMBAT MANEUVERING FLIGHT
AND
POWER MANAGEMENT
INTRODUCTION
To provide a basic guideline for the
performance of Combat Maneuvers
and Power Management to support
successful high energy employment.
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.
High Bank Angle Turns
Bank Angle
Increase in TR
(%)
Load / G
Factor
0
---
1.0
15
3.6
1.054
30
15.4
1.154
45
41.4
1.414
60
100
2.0
70
2.923
80
5.747
85
11.473
90
∞
If adequate excess engine power is
available, increasing collective pitch
will enable continued flight while
maintaining airspeed and altitude.
UH60 Performance
Characteristics
TRANSIENT ROTOR DROOP
To 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
TQ
TQ
60°
Right
60°
Left
100 KIAS 1000MSL
Note TQ
Maintain Altitude
Demonstrate/Perform
Maximum Bank Angle
270°
Turn
60°
Left
Transient
TQ
Direction of
Flight
100 KIAS 1000MSL
Demonstrate/Perform
Maximum Bank Angle
Transient
TQ
270°
Turn
60°
Right
100 KIAS 1000MSL
Direction of
Flight
Maximum Pitch Up Angle
70 KIAS
30° +0/-5
400 AGL
100Kts
Maximum Pitch Down Angle
2000 MSL
100Kts
Start to level before
1000 MSL
130 KIAS
30° +0/-5
Level Powered Flt
No lower than 400 AGL