Flight Performance and Planning
Performance fundamentals
Helicopter performance depends on density altitude, weight, wind, and technique. Understand pressure altitude, temperature, and how they combine into density altitude. Know hover in ground effect (HIGE) and out of ground effect (HOGE), and how each changes with altitude and weight.
Charts and tables
Learn to read performance charts: hover ceiling, takeoff and landing distance, climb rate, and fuel consumption. Questions often require interpolating between lines, so practise estimating values between chart entries.
Weight and balance
Study centre of gravity limits and how fuel and load placement affect balance. Know that exceeding maximum weight reduces performance and may exceed structural limits.
Fuel planning
Plan fuel with reserves for taxi, climb, cruise, diversion, and contingency. Know the required reserve and how wind affects range.
Worked example
Rule of thumb: density altitude rises about 120 ft for every 1°C above standard temperature at sea level. If field elevation is 2,000 ft and the temperature is 15°C above standard, expect density altitude near 3,800 ft - check the HOGE chart there before accepting the load.
Traps
Watch for questions that give pressure altitude but not temperature, or that ask for HOGE when the chart shows HIGE. Always confirm units and whether the chart uses gross or basic weight.