Elements and Performance Criteria
- Carry out pre take-off checks
- Take off helicopter
- Air traffic control (ATC) clearances are obtained and compliance is maintained with clearance conditions and requirements, when operating within controlled airspace
- Helicopter is transitioned from a stationary position in a specified direction passing through translational lift, remaining clear of obstructions, and establishing and maintaining a recommended or nominated climb speed
- Helicopter flight path is controlled using appropriate flight handling techniques including awareness of helicopter performance considerations, aircraft balance and flight control trim as required
- Power and attitude are managed for flight path, departure profile and indicated airspeed (IAS) being flown
- Local and published noise abatement requirements and curfews are observed
- Situational awareness of circuit traffic is maintained and conflict is avoided
- Approach to hover
- Suitable termination point is selected
- Pre-landing checks are completed in accordance with approved checklist
- Appropriate approach angle and track is intercepted and approach manoeuvres are conducted in accordance with air traffic control instructions
- Helicopter is descended to hover at selected termination point at a reducing closure rate and along a specified track on an approach angle appropriate to helicopter type and conditions
- Landing gear is aligned to planned approach direction
- Loss of translational lift is recognised and controlled
- RPM is managed within normal operational limits
- Approach is terminated at hover over termination point
- Perform go-around procedure
- Critical situations are recognised and timely decisions are made to go-around in circumstances that require discontinuing a circuit or approach
- Go-around is initiated
- Power and attitude is set to initiate safe climb at appropriate IAS from any position in the circuit
- Obstructions and traffic are appropriately avoided during climb following a decision to go-around
- Lookout is maintained using a systematic scan technique at a rate determined by traffic density, visibility or terrain
- Situational awareness of circuit traffic is maintained throughout go-round procedure
- After take-off checks are completed in accordance with approved checklist
- Local and published noise abatement requirements and curfews are observed