Operationalizing Fundamentals

Initial flight training demands extensive rote memorization and is typically conducted in a highly structured setting in which the strict adherence to relatively narrow procedures is emphasized. Understandably, flight students are inundated with step-by-step processes and presented with binary decisions.  However, to mature as a pilot and progress in airmanship, it is important to understand that helicopter operations often involve complex considerations for which there is no single correct answer. Rather, solutions involve compromises among various competing factors.  For example, selecting an altitude for hoisting requires balancing visual cues, obstacle separation, power requirements, contingencies and more. These decisions are not black and white, but require critical analysis based on experience and on scene conditions. 

A specific example of tailoring flight training knowledge to mission circumstances involves an experience I had with formation flying. During formation flight instruction in Navy flight school, I was taught that the wing aircraft had to maintain a position above the lead aircraft, referred to as “stepped up.” Since this technique was taught as a definitive rule, alternative approaches were not considered, and any deviations could result in failing the flight. Early in the development of an “airborne use of force” capability for the Coast Guard following 9-11, which required more in depth formation flights than our small, historically “single ship” operating community had previously trained to do, we quickly discovered exceptions to the Navy flight school rule of always being “stepped up” in formation to ensure separation. At night, amid cultural lighting, keeping the wing below lead (rather than above) was more critical to separation, as lead against a dark sky prevented dangerous camouflage in city lights. 

Another example where common practices in training and operations are not aligned is the use of altitude hold prior to entry into autorotation. Operationally, the Coast Guard MH60-T community harnesses the auto pilot altitude hold functionality frequently, yet altitude hold is rarely engaged prior to practice autorotations. Because altitude hold will rapidly increase rotor pitch to maintain altitude when the collective trim is released amid an auto, failing to secure it would be detrimental to a successful auto. Operationalizing the practice maneuver of regularly training to secure altitude hold when entering a practice auto will improve real world auto outcomes. 

The ability to amass book knowledge and initial training procedures and apply that knowledge operationally in challenging situations, such as in adverse weather conditions or when experiencing aircraft malfunctions, is foundational to developing sound airmanship skills and one of the primary goals of the “forging airmanship” posts. That said, the fundamentals section will focus on operationalizing some of the basics.