Instrument Rating – Helicopter › I. Preflight Preparation › Task C. Cross-Country Flight Planning

IH.I.C.K3a

Knowledge

Calculating:

Time, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed, and groundspeed

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

Instrument Flying Handbook p. 8-12
Chapter 8: Helicopter Attitude Instrument Flying › Straight Descents (Constant Airspeed and Constant Rate) › Entry
Straight Descents (Constant Airspeed and Constant Rate) A descent may be performed at any normal airspeed the helicopter can attain, but the airspeed must be determined prior to entry. The technique is determined by the type of descent, a constant ... airspeed, or a constant rate. Entry If airspeed is higher than descending airspeed, and a constant airspeed descent is desired, reduce power to a descent power setting and maintain a constant altitude using cyclic pitch control. This slows the helicopter…
Instrument Flying Handbook p. 8-11
Chapter 8: Helicopter Attitude Instrument Flying › Straight Climbs (Constant Airspeed and Constant Rate) › Entry
manifold pressure continues to be primary for power and should be monitored closely to determine if the proper climb power setting is being maintained. Primary and supporting instruments for a stabilized constant airspeed climb are shown in Figure ... Figure 8-11. Flight instrument indications during climb entry for a constant-airspeed climb. Figure 8-12. Flight instrument indications in a stabilized constant-airspeed climb. The technique and procedures for entering a constant rate climb are very similar…
Instrument Flying Handbook p. 7-47
Chapter 7, Section II: Airplane Basic Flight Maneuvers › Straight Climbs and Descents › Constant Rate Climbs
Constant Airspeed Climb from Established Airspeed In order to enter a constant airspeed climb, first complete the airspeed reduction from cruise airspeed to climb airspeed. Maintain straight-and-level flight as the airspeed is reduced. The entry to the climb ... similar to the entry from cruise airspeed with the exception that the power must be increased when the pitch attitude is raised. [Figure 7-64] Power added after the pitch change shows a decrease in airspeed due to the increased…
Helicopter Flying Handbook p. 9-5
Chapter 9: Basic Flight Maneuvers › Normal Climb › Technique
Normal Climb The entry into a climb from a hover has already been described in the Normal Takeoff from a Hover subsection; therefore, this discussion is limited to a climb entry from cruising flight. Technique To enter a climb ... helicopter while maintaining airspeed, the first actions are increasing the collective and throttle, and adjusting the pedals as necessary to maintain a centered ball in the slip/skid indicator. Moving the collective up requires a slight aft movement of the cyclic…
14 CFR Part 141 — Pilot Schools Open
14 CFR Part 141, Appendix C to Part 141—Instrument Rating Course
Part 141, Appendix C to Part 141—Instrument Rating Course 1. Applicability. This appendix prescribes the minimum curriculum for an instrument rating course and an additional instrument rating course, required under this part, for the following ratings: (a) Instrument—airplane ... Eligibility for enrollment. A person must hold at least a private pilot certificate with an aircraft category and class rating appropriate to the instrument rating for which the course applies prior to enrolling in the flight portion of the instrument…