Sport Flight Instructor Helicopter - Simplified Flight Controls › VII. Hovering Maneuvers › Task E. Slope Operations

FH.VII.E.S10

Skill

Make a smooth transition from the slope to a stabilized hover parallel to the slope.

Study note

Get a short, cited explanation of this element written from the FAA handbooks: the core idea, the numbers that matter, common test traps, and a quick self-check.

From the FAA library

Helicopter Flying Handbook p. 10-8
Chapter 10: Advanced Flight Maneuvers › Slope Operations › Technique
Refer to Figure 10-6. At the termination of the approach, if necessary, move the helicopter slowly toward the slope, being careful not to turn the tail upslope. Position the helicopter across the slope at a stabilized hover headed into ... touches the ground, hesitate momentarily in a level attitude, then apply slight lateral cyclic in the direction of the slope (frame 2). This holds the skid against the slope while the pilot continues lowering the downslope skid with the collective…
Helicopter Flying Handbook p. 2-14
Chapter 2: Aerodynamics of Flight › Hovering Flight
Hovering Flight Hovering is the most challenging part of flying a helicopter. This is because a helicopter generates its own gusty air while in a hover, which acts against the fuselage and flight control surfaces. The end result is constant ... helicopter where it is required to be. Despite the complexity of the task, the control inputs in a hover are simple. The cyclic is used to eliminate drift in the horizontal plane, controlling forward, backward, right and left movement…
Helicopter Flying Handbook p. 10-7
Chapter 10: Advanced Flight Maneuvers › Slope Operations
Slope Operations Prior to conducting any slope operations, be thoroughly familiar with the characteristics of dynamic rollover and mast bumping, which are discussed in Chapter 11, Helicopter Emergencies and Hazards. The approach to a slope is similar to the approach ... other landing area. During slope operations, make allowances for wind, barriers, and forced landing sites in case of engine failure. Since the slope may constitute an obstruction to wind passage, anticipate turbulence and downdrafts. Slope Landing A pilot usually lands…
Helicopter Flying Handbook p. 9-7
Chapter 9: Basic Flight Maneuvers › Hovering › Technique
Hovering A stationary hover is a maneuver in which the helicopter is maintained in nearly motionless flight over a reference point at a constant altitude and on a constant heading. Technique To maintain a hover over a point, use sideview ... peripheral vision to look for small changes in the helicopter’s attitude and altitude. When these changes are noted, make the necessary control inputs before the helicopter starts to move from the point. To detect small variations in altitude…
Helicopter Flying Handbook p. 7-4
Chapter 7: Helicopter Performance › The Effect of Weight Versus Density Altitude › Hovering Performance
Hovering Performance Helicopter performance revolves around whether or not the helicopter can be hovered. More power is required during the hover than in any other flight regime. Obstructions aside, if a hover can be maintained, a takeoff can be made ... especially with the additional benefit of translational lift. Hover charts are provided for in ground effect (IGE) hover and out of ground effect (OGE) hover under various conditions of gross weight, altitude, temperature, and power. The IGE hover ceiling…