Autorotations Exposed: How the Law of Primacy Wrecks Pilot Confidence

1. Presented to: HAI FIRC
By: Jon Prater, Principal Operations Inspector,
REACH CMT, OAKLAND FSDO
Date: February 23-24, 2014
Federal Aviation
AdministrationAutorotations
Reality Exposed
How the Law of Primacy
Wrecks Pilot Confidence
By: Dr. Steve Sparks

2. Federal Aviation
Administration
Autorotations
For Official Use Only
Overview
• Perceptions, Startled Reflex and Cry Babies
• Death Traps and Safety Nets
• Sofas and Flight Training Devices
• Tips for alleviating autorotation indigestion

3. Federal Aviation
Administration
Autorotations
For Official Use Only
Autorotations…why me?

4. Federal Aviation
Administration
Autorotations
For Official Use Only

5. Federal Aviation
Administration
Autorotations
For Official Use Only

6. Federal Aviation
Administration
Autorotations
For Official Use Only

7. Federal Aviation
Administration
Autorotations
For Official Use Only
Training, studying & understanding, a pessimistic viewpoint-it can happen to you, thorough preflights, Risk
Management-high transitional altitudes and conservative routes…..

8. Federal Aviation
Administration
Autorotations
For Official Use Only
AC 61-140: Progressive Approach

9. Federal Aviation
Administration
Autorotations
For Official Use Only
Autorotation Scanning Acronym
“RATS”
•R = Rotor
•A = Airspeed
•T = Trim
•S = Spot
 Prevents fixation

10. Federal Aviation
Administration
Autorotations
For Official Use Only
Resources
• Sofas and Flight Training Devices
• US Helicopter Safety Team (USHST)
• FAA FAASTeam
• HAI