ANAC Private Pilot Helicopter (PPH) (ANAC) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

PPH licence privilege

A private pilot helicopter licence permits non-remunerated flight carrying passengers or property. Commercial operations require a commercial licence and the associated operational approvals.

Certificate of Airworthiness

The Certificado de Aeronavegabilidade issued by ANAC confirms the aircraft meets its type design and is safe to operate. Flight without a valid certificate is prohibited.

VFR cloud separation minima

In controlled airspace at lower levels VFR flight requires cloud separation of at least 1500 m horizontally and 300 m vertically, with visibility commonly 5 km.

Alcohol rule for pilots

No flight within 8 hours of consuming alcohol, and blood alcohol must be zero. Impairment from alcohol invalidates pilot privileges and is a regulatory offence.

Swashplate function

The swashplate translates non-rotating control inputs from the cyclic and collective into rotating blade pitch changes, allowing control of lift and thrust direction.

Freewheeling unit

A sprag clutch between engine and rotor that lets the rotor turn freely when engine power is lost, enabling autorotation without driving the engine.

Collective and cyclic

The collective changes pitch on all blades equally to control power and altitude; the cyclic changes pitch cyclically to control airspeed and attitude.

Carburettor icing range

Carburettor ice can form at ambient temperatures from roughly -7 °C to +21 °C with high humidity. Carburettor heat is applied before ice forms.

Density altitude effect

Density altitude rises with elevation, temperature, and humidity. Higher density altitude reduces engine power and rotor efficiency, lowering hover and climb performance.

Centre of gravity limits

The loaded centre of gravity must remain between the forward and aft limits for every fuel state and loading configuration. Exceeding them degrades control and stability.

Hover ceiling IGE and OGE

In-ground-effect hover ceiling is higher than out-of-ground-effect because the surface reduces induced velocity. Both vary with weight, temperature, and pressure altitude.

VFR fuel reserve

Fuel planning includes trip fuel, reserve, and contingency. In Brazil a VFR reserve of about 30 minutes by day or 45 minutes at night is typical.

Hypoxia symptoms

Hypoxia causes euphoria, impaired judgement, headache, and cyanosis. Time of useful consciousness falls with altitude, so oxygen is used early.

Spatial disorientation

Spatial disorientation occurs when vestibular sensations conflict with actual aircraft attitude. Pilots must trust flight instruments rather than physical sensations.

Hyperventilation treatment

Hyperventilation causes dizziness and tingling. It is treated by slowing and controlling breathing rather than increasing the rate of respiration.

Carbon monoxide hazard

Exhaust carbon monoxide causes headache and confusion. It is detected by smell or a CO detector and treated with fresh air and supplemental oxygen.

QNH versus QFE

QNH is the pressure setting that makes the altimeter indicate elevation above mean sea level. QFE makes it indicate height above the aerodrome reference point.

Cold front passage

A cold front brings rapid pressure falls, a wind shift, thunderstorms, and clearing after passage. A warm front brings gradual cloud and steady rain.

Thunderstorm avoidance distance

Convective cells produce turbulence, hail, icing, and microbursts. Aircraft should avoid thunderstorm cells by at least 20 NM to prevent wind shear encounters.

Standard atmosphere values

At sea level the standard atmosphere has pressure 1013.25 hPa and temperature 15 °C, with a lapse rate of about 2 °C per 1000 ft up to the tropopause.

1 in 60 rule

A track error of 1 NM over 60 NM corresponds to 1° of angular error. This rule estimates heading corrections for navigation.

Magnetic heading calculation

Magnetic heading equals true heading plus or minus magnetic variation. Compass deviation is then applied to obtain the compass heading to steer.

Groundspeed and time

Time en route equals distance divided by groundspeed. Groundspeed equals true airspeed plus or minus the wind component along the track.

VOR radial meaning

A VOR radial is a magnetic bearing from the station. The course deviation indicator centres when the selected radial matches the aircraft's position.

Autorotation entry

Autorotation entry requires lowering the collective to preserve rotor RPM, establishing a glide at best autorotation speed, and flaring before touchdown.

Tail-rotor failure response

On tail-rotor failure, maintain forward airspeed to reduce yaw and land promptly. Loss of anti-torque thrust causes uncontrolled yaw otherwise.

Radio failure squawk

On radio failure, squawk 7600, follow light signals or published procedures, and land as soon as practicable. Maintain the last assigned altitude.

Pre-flight inspection scope

Pre-flight inspection checks rotor blades, controls, fuel, oil, and documents. It is completed before every flight and any defect is recorded.

Translational lift

As airspeed increases from the hover, airflow through the rotor improves efficiency. Effective translational lift occurs around 10 to 15 knots.

Dissymmetry of lift

The advancing blade has higher airspeed than the retreating blade. Flapping and cyclic feathering equalise lift across the rotor disk.

Retreating blade stall

Retreating blade stall occurs at high speed, high weight, or high density altitude. It causes vibration and pitch-up, and speed must be reduced.

MAYDAY and PAN-PAN

MAYDAY, repeated three times, signals a life-threatening distress emergency. PAN-PAN, repeated three times, signals urgency without immediate danger to life.