Emergency Procedures and Safety of Flight
Emergency procedure questions test decision-making under pressure: engine failure, rotor problems, fire, and precautionary landings. The answers reward a sequence - maintain control, keep the rotor alive, pick a landing area, then communicate.
Engine failure
- Establish best glide speed immediately; the rotor keeps turning in autorotation, which is the gyroplane's natural state.
- Select a landing area within gliding distance, preferably into the wind and clear of obstacles. Do not turn back to the runway unless altitude and turn radius clearly allow it.
- Attempt a restart only if altitude permits; then configure for landing, transmit MAYDAY on 121.5 or the current frequency, and secure the aircraft.
- Flare at the last moment to trade forward speed for a gentle touchdown, and keep the rotor turning until stopped.
Rotor and control emergencies
- Blade flap from low rotor RPM or an aggressive takeoff: abort, reduce power, and let the rotor recover.
- A low-G pushover unloads the rotor and RPM decays; smooth aft cyclic restores loading.
- Control failure or severe vibration: reduce power and land as soon as possible.
Fire
Shut off fuel, mixture, and electrical master; use the extinguisher; land immediately. An engine fire in flight usually means an off-airport landing.
Precautionary landing
Over a doubtful area, fly over the field at altitude to check surface and obstacles, then fly a low pass, then land. Announce intentions on CTAF.
Worked example
At 1,500 ft AGL the engine quits. The pilot lowers the nose to 55 kt, confirms rotor RPM in the green, turns 30° toward an open field, broadcasts MAYDAY, and flares at 20 ft. Trying to stretch the glide by raising the nose would decay airspeed and rotor RPM and produce a hard, uncontrolled descent.
Traps
Pitching up to stretch the glide; forgetting to keep rotor RPM in range; the impossible turn back to the runway; and delaying the landing-site decision until too low.