SFAR 73 Explained?

[Galadrium]

I've been thinking about what it would take to get into flying Robinson helicopters. I have about 160 hours in helicopters, mostly in Schweizers and Enstroms.

 

The way I've been reading SFAR 73 is that I could get 10 hours in an R22 or R44 and then would have to be signed off by an instructor prior to acting as PIC. I would have to do this every year until I have 50 hours in Robinsons.

 

How exactly should I proceed?

 

Thanks

[Goldy]

I've been thinking about what it would take to get into flying Robinson helicopters. I have about 160 hours in helicopters, mostly in Schweizers and Enstroms.

 

The way I've been reading SFAR 73 is that I could get 10 hours in an R22 or R44 and then would have to be signed off by an instructor prior to acting as PIC. I would have to do this every year until I have 50 hours in Robinsons.

 

How exactly should I proceed?

 

Thanks

 

uhhhh..maybe by booking a flight on an R 22?

 

OK, maybe thats the obvious answer. Dont forget 73 requires you stay current in the 22 AND the 44. Staying current in the 44 doesnt do much for you if your flying the 22. Also, the CFI that signs you off needs to be more than just any helo CFI....they need to be qualified to do the sign off. You can substitute a sign off by getting some hours in and then taking the safety course.. Then your local FSDO can do the sign off....I have never done it that way however.

 

Either way, take the factory safety course..most schools require it anyway.

 

Here's the FAA's take on it. http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance...33;OpenDocument

 

Goldy

Edited December 21, 2007 by Goldy

[delorean]

Ok, the difference is whether you want to PIC or CFI in Robinsons. (Keep in mind, this is for regs only, not insurance!)

 

Regardless of how many total hours you have, here's what you need for PIC:

 

R22: 10 hrs dual and a sign off from a SFAR 73 CFI to act as PIC

R44: 10 hrs dual (of which 5 hrs can be in a R22) and a sign off from a SFAR 73 CFI to act as PIC

 

You will need an SFAR 73 "check flight" which covers low-g, low rotor RPM, and enhanced autos EVERY 12 calendar months in both the R22 and R44.........*UNLESS* you have:

 

R22: 200 hrs TOTAL helicopter time, with 50 hrs in the R22

R44: 200 hrs TOTAL helicopter time, with 50 hrs in the R44 (of which 25 can be in the R22).

 

At that point, you do not need the yearly check flight, however, "a flight review will not satisfy the requirements of SFAR 73 unless that flight review was performed in a R22 or R44 as req'd." So you'll need a flight review in both the R22 and R44 every 24 calendar months that cover the low-g, low RPM, and enhanced auto training. A "flight review" as defined by pt61 must last at least 1 hr flight and 1 hr ground (unless your a current CFI, then no ground).

 

To act as a CFI in the Robinson you need:

 

R22: 200 hrs TOTAL helicopter time, with 50 hrs in the R22

R44: 200 hrs TOTAL helicopter time, with 50 hrs in the R44 (of which 25 can be in the R22).

 

AND a one time SFAR 73 CFI sign off from RHC factory, an FAA inspector, or a DPE authorized by RHC.

[Galadrium]

Ok, the difference is whether you want to PIC or CFI in Robinsons. (Keep in mind, this is for regs only, not insurance!)

 

Regardless of how many total hours you have, here's what you need for PIC:

 

R22: 10 hrs dual and a sign off from a SFAR 73 CFI to act as PIC

R44: 10 hrs dual (of which 5 hrs can be in a R22) and a sign off from a SFAR 73 CFI to act as PIC

 

You will need an SFAR 73 "check flight" which covers low-g, low rotor RPM, and enhanced autos EVERY 12 calendar months in both the R22 and R44.........*UNLESS* you have:

 

R22: 200 hrs TOTAL helicopter time, with 50 hrs in the R22

R44: 200 hrs TOTAL helicopter time, with 50 hrs in the R44 (of which 25 can be in the R22).

 

At that point, you do not need the yearly check flight, however, "a flight review will not satisfy the requirements of SFAR 73 unless that flight review was performed in a R22 or R44 as req'd." So you'll need a flight review in both the R22 and R44 every 24 calendar months that cover the low-g, low RPM, and enhanced auto training. A "flight review" as defined by pt61 must last at least 1 hr flight and 1 hr ground (unless your a current CFI, then no ground).

 

To act as a CFI in the Robinson you need:

 

R22: 200 hrs TOTAL helicopter time, with 50 hrs in the R22

R44: 200 hrs TOTAL helicopter time, with 50 hrs in the R44 (of which 25 can be in the R22).

 

AND a one time SFAR 73 CFI sign off from RHC factory, an FAA inspector, or a DPE authorized by RHC.

Thanks to both of you for your explanations. That is pretty much what I thought. Its good to hear it explained by someone with a lot more experience in Robinsons than me.

Edited December 22, 2007 by Galadrium

[Goldy]

Yes, DeLorean did a great job of laying it out. I was gonna make you dig thru it !

 

However, SFAR 73 does expire in March of 08, which is now only about 3 months away. I know Robinson was going to make a big push to get some modifications made, including getting the R44 off the list entirely (thats been tried before). Anyone heard if there are any extensions or changes in the works ?

[mechanic]

After reading your link Goldy, I see that there was a change in the R44 to help prevent mast bumping.

 

Does anyone know what changes were made to help prevent this? Taller mast? And, are they talking Astro vs. Raven?

 

Thanks, just curious.

[Goldy]

After reading your link Goldy, I see that there was a change in the R44 to help prevent mast bumping.

 

Does anyone know what changes were made to help prevent this? Taller mast? And, are they talking Astro vs. Raven?

 

Thanks, just curious.

 

Yeah, I saw that too. I remember they changed the droop stops....remember the short ones, then the AD came out and they replaced them with longer ones?? Thats the only change I recall, and can't remember when that was...I'll find it on Robinsons site...Goldy

 

 

Found it, April of 94 they changed them, geez, I thought it was yesterday.

http://www.robinsonheli.com/srvclib/r22sb78a.pdf

 

Fly safe, Goldy

Edited December 23, 2007 by Goldy

[mechanic]

Thanks,

But, not to be nit picking, I was referring to this statement.

 

Design changes in the R-44 have improved the aircraft performance and handling characteristics of recently manufactured R-44 helicopters but these changes were not applied to older R-44s.

 

I was curious about what changes they made to improve the 44? Again, is it Astro vs. Raven or something else? To me droop stops are not going to change aircraft performance or am I missing something?

 

Thanks

[Goldy]

Thanks,

But, not to be nit picking, I was referring to this statement.

 

 

 

I was curious about what changes they made to improve the 44? Again, is it Astro vs. Raven or something else? To me droop stops are not going to change aircraft performance or am I missing something?

 

Thanks

 

I think that is just the politically correct way of saying this " Failure of the droop stops causes the main rotor to shear off the tail, leaving the pilot few options other than to pull out his pocket mirror so he can kiss his ass goodbye, so put in heftier droop stops so we don't have this problem anymore".

 

Honestly I dont know what they are talking about. I dont think adding hydraulics leads to a significant change in aircraft performance..your arm just doesnt hurt anymore and the ship feels smoother without all that rotor feedback. The droop stop is the only thing that stuck out at me as being somewhat related to Low G accidents, which is what started SFAR 73 in the first place.

 

I could not find any specific reference to any one thing that was changed to affect the safety of the ship.

 

Goldy