Instrument Add On

[eddiebauer86]

We all know the value of getting your instrument rating, so im jumping in the mix.

 

I already have an Airplane Instrument and a Rotorcraft Commercial, so im just getting the Helicopter Instrument added on.

 

Do any instructors have any good "cheat sheets" or study guides to help out someone who already has their airplane instrument learn the helicopter specific stuff.

 

Best ive been able to tell, the only different is the minimums and weather planning?? I could be wrong. Ive googled around quite a bit and it doesnt seemt to be a common thread.

 

Thanks!

[aeroscout]

Fuel reserves are different. I may be able to put you in touch with a guy named Cliff who does have such a study guide as you refer to. PM me and I will see what I can do,

[crashed_05]

you guys pretty much named all the helicopter specific stuff. Other than that, instrument flying is instrument flying. Be sure to become familiar with the AIM chapter 10 section 1 also.

[Gomer Pylot]

I had a FSDO guy in OKC insist to me that the flight instruments in helicopters and airplanes are different. I was getting my commercial rotorcraft certificate, had a private cert for airplanes, and asked about getting a fixed-wing instrument rating. I was in OKCC for an FAA seminar on helicopter operations. My conclusion from that entire exercise was that the FAA was entirely clueless about helicopters. One of the senior controllers at the seminar seriously thought that he could have a helicopter just come to a hover over the outer marker and hold if he wanted. That was in the early seventies, and I hope things have improved, but my interactions with the feds over the years don't show much improvement. The primary difference in flying instruments in a small helicopter and an airplane is that the helicopter is much less stable, and you can't let the controls go and look at the charts. For training, have the instructor fly while you do that stuff. In the real world, you will have either a flight director or a copilot, or both, so it's not an issue. Otherwise, flying instruments is flying instruments. Knowing the regs, such as approach minima and fuel reserves, is assumed.

[zippiesdrainage]

The touchiness of the controls in a Heli make maintaining airspeed and altitude more difficult while on approaches, and you'll certainly have more difficulty with the charts because of the different flying dynamics, but in the end it's not too much more difficult if you've already got the ideas down due to your fixed wing instrument rating.

[eddiebauer86]

Thanks everyone for the info and support. I got a list of the very few difference with regards to planning and execution. Im very fortunate to be doing this as I come right off my airplane instrument, so I feel very good about my knowledge level. As far as flying approaches in an MD-500, we'll see how that goes.