ANAC Agricultural Pilot Helicopter (PAGH) flashcards

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

VFR cloud clearance

In controlled airspace at typical VFR levels, remain at least 1500 m horizontally and 300 m (1000 ft) vertically from cloud with 5 km flight visibility.

Right-of-way converging

When two aircraft converge at the same level, the aircraft on the right has right-of-way; the other gives way, preferably by passing behind.

Ag operator authorisation

Agricultural aviation requires a specific operator approval in addition to the general air operator certificate, covering equipment, pilot qualifications and record keeping.

Ag application records

Each application must be recorded with product, dose, area treated, date, pilot and aircraft, and retained for inspection by the authority.

Freewheel unit

A one-way clutch between engine and rotor that lets the rotor turn freely when engine power is lost, enabling autorotation.

Semi-rigid rotor head

A teetering rotor head with two blades on a single hinge; it flaps as a unit and provides no lead-lag hinge.

Translational lift

Above roughly 10-15 kt effective airspeed, the rotor meets undisturbed air, increasing efficiency and reducing power required.

Vortex ring state

A descent with low airspeed and high power where the rotor recirculates its own downwash, causing buffet and rapid sink; recover with forward cyclic.

Density altitude

Pressure altitude corrected for temperature; approximately pressure altitude plus 120 ft for each degree Celsius above ISA.

CG formula

Centre of gravity equals total moment divided by total mass; each item's moment is its mass multiplied by its arm from the datum.

Hopper load mass

Product mass equals hopper volume multiplied by product density; density must be read from the label, not assumed as water.

Carbon monoxide risk

Exhaust leakage can cause headache, dizziness and confusion; ventilate the cabin, shut off the heater and land as soon as possible.

Fatigue effects

Fatigue reduces vigilance, slows reactions and increases error rates; duty limits, rest and workload management are the main mitigations.

Standard lapse rate

In the ISA, temperature decreases about 2 degrees Celsius per 1000 ft; sea level is 15 degrees Celsius and 1013.25 hPa.

Temperature inversion

A layer where temperature increases with height; it traps spray near the surface and reduces dispersion, so spraying should be avoided.

One in sixty rule

A one-degree track error produces about one nautical mile of offset after sixty nautical miles flown.

Magnetic variation east

For easterly variation, subtract the variation from true heading to obtain magnetic heading; add it for westerly variation.

Autorotation entry

Lower collective to maintain rotor RPM, establish best glide speed, select a landing area and flare near the ground to reduce speed.

Confined area approach

Carry out high and low reconnaissance, approach into wind on a steep angle, identify an escape route and avoid hovering downwind.

Induced drag

Drag caused by lift production; it decreases as airspeed increases, so total drag is lowest at best glide speed.

Dissymmetry of lift

The advancing blade produces more lift than the retreating blade; flapping and cyclic feathering equalise lift across the disc.

MAYDAY call

The distress signal used when the aircraft is in grave and imminent danger; state callsign, position, nature of problem and intentions.

Transponder 7700

The emergency squawk code; 7600 indicates radio failure and 7500 indicates unlawful interference.

Swath width

The effective width of ground covered by one spray pass; it depends on nozzle spacing, height, speed and wind and is narrower than geometric spacing.

Nozzle flow and pressure

Flow through a nozzle varies with the square root of pressure, so quadrupling pressure doubles flow rate.

Droplet size and drift

Finer droplets give better coverage but drift further; coarser droplets reduce drift at the cost of less uniform deposit.

Buffer zone

An untreated distance between the spray area and sensitive sites such as water, housing or schools, required to limit drift exposure.

Hover IGE vs OGE

In-ground-effect hover requires less power and permits a higher hover ceiling than out-of-ground-effect hover at the same weight.

Duty and rest limits

Flight and duty time limits, plus minimum rest, are set by regulation to control fatigue; agricultural flying counts as flight time.

Emergency jettison

Releasing the hopper or sling load in an emergency reduces mass and power required, improving control and autorotation performance.

GPS track versus heading

Track is the path over the ground; heading is where the nose points. Wind causes them to differ, so spray alignment follows track.

Hypoxia signs

Symptoms include euphoria, headache, tingling, poor judgement and bluish lips; descend, use oxygen if available and land.