Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 73 - —Robinson Helicopter Company, Robinson R-22/R-44 Special Training and Experience Requirements

Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 73—Robinson Helicopter Company, Robinson R-22/R-44 Special Training and Experience Requirements

Cross Reference

Link to an amendment published at 89 FR 59608, July 23, 2024.

Sections

1. Applicability.

2. Required training, aeronautical experience, endorsements, and flight review.

3. Expiration date.

1. Applicability. Under the procedures prescribed hereinin this section, this Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) applies to all persons who seek to manipulate the controls or , act as pilot in command of a , provide ground training or flight training, or conduct a flight review in a Robinson model R-22 or R-44 helicopter. The requirements stated in this SFAR are in addition to the current requirements of this part 61.

2. Required training, aeronautical experience, endorsements, and flight review.

(a) Awareness Ground Training:.

(1) Except as provided in paragraph 2(a)(2) of this sectionSFAR, no person may manipulate the controls of a Robinson model R-22 or R-44 helicopter after March 27, 1995, -for the purpose of flight unless the awareness ground training specified in paragraph 2(a)(3) of this section SFAR is completed and the person's logbook has been endorsed by a certified flight instructor authorized under paragraph 2(b)(5)(iv) of this sectionSFAR.

(2) A person who holds a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating on that person's pilot certificate and meets the experience requirements of paragraph 2(b)(1) or paragraph 2(b)(2) of this section SFAR may not manipulate the controls of a Robinson model R-22 or R-44 helicopter for the purpose of flight after April 26, 1995, unless the awareness ground training specified in paragraph 2(a)(3) of this section SFAR is completed and the person's logbook has been endorsed by a certified flight instructor authorized under paragraph 2(b)(5)(iv) of this sectionSFAR.

(3) Awareness Ground training must be conducted by a certified flight instructor who has been endorsed authorized under paragraph 2(b)(5)(iv) of this section SFAR and consists of instruction in the following general subject areas:

(i) Energy management;

(ii) Mast bumping;

(iii) Low rotor RPM (blade stall)revolutions per minute (RPM) and rotor stall;

(iv) Low G hazardsconditions, effects, and proper recovery procedures; and

(v) Rotor RPM decay.

(4) The general subject areas identified in paragraph 2(a)(3) of this SFAR are intended to cover both Robinson model R-22 and R-44 helicopters.

(5) A person who can show satisfactory completion of the manufacturer's safety course

after January 1, 1994,

may obtain an endorsement from an FAA aviation safety inspector in lieu of completing the

awareness

ground training required

in

by paragraphs 2(a)(1) and (

a)(

2) of this

section

SFAR.

(b) Aeronautical Experience:.

(1) No person may act as pilot in command of a Robinson model R-22 unless that person:

(i) Has had logged at least 200 flight hours in helicopters, at least 50 flight hours of which were in the Robinson model R-22 helicopter; or

(ii) Has had logged at least 10 hours dual instruction of flight training in the Robinson model R-22 helicopter and has received an endorsement from a certified flight instructor authorized under paragraph 2(b)(5)(iv) of this section SFAR that the individual has been given the training required by this paragraph 2(b)(1)(ii) and is proficient to act as pilot in command of an R-22. Beginning 12 calendar months after the date of the endorsement, the individual may not act as pilot in command unless the individual has completed a flight review in an R-22 within the preceding 12 calendar months and obtained an endorsement for that flight review. The dual instruction The flight training must include at least the following abnormal and emergency procedures flight training:

(A) Enhanced training Training in autorotation procedures and energy management, including utilizing a combination of flight control inputs and maneuvering to prevent overshooting or undershooting the selected landing area from an entry altitude that permits safe recovery;

(B) Autorotations at an entry altitude that permits safe maneuvering and recovery utilizing maximum glide configuration;

(C) Engine rotor RPM control without the use of the governor

,

; and

(

C

D) Low rotor RPM recognition and recovery

, and

(D) Effects of low G maneuvers and proper recovery procedures.

(iii) Pilots who do not meet the experience requirement of paragraph 2(b)(1)(i) of this SFAR may not act as pilot in command of a Robinson model R-22 helicopter beginning 12 calendar months after the date of the endorsement identified in paragraph 2(b)(1)(ii) of this SFAR until those pilots have:

(A) Completed a flight review of the ground training subject areas identified by paragraph 2(a)(3) of this SFAR and the flight training identified in paragraph 2(b)(1)(ii) of this SFAR in an R-22; and

(B) Obtained an endorsement for that flight review from a flight instructor authorized under paragraph 2(b)(5)(iv) of this SFAR.

(2) No person may act as pilot in command of a Robinson model R-44 helicopter unless that person—

(i) Has had logged at least 200 flight hours in helicopters, at least 50 flight hours of which were in the Robinson model R-44 helicopter. The pilot in command may credit up to 25 flight hours in the Robinson model R-22 helicopter toward the 50-hour requirement in the Robinson model R-44 helicopter; or

(ii) Has had logged at least 10 hours dual instruction of flight training in a Robinson helicopter, at least 5 hours of which must have been accomplished in the Robinson model R-44 helicopter, and has received an endorsement from a certified flight instructor authorized under paragraph 2(b)(5)(iv) of this section SFAR that the individual has been given the training required by this paragraph 2(b)(2)(ii) and is proficient to act as pilot in command of an R-44. Beginning 12 calendar months after the date of the endorsement, the individual may not act as pilot in command unless the individual has completed a flight review in a Robinson R-44 within the preceding 12 calendar months and obtained an endorsement for that flight review. The dual instruction The flight training must include at least the following abnormal and emergency procedures flight training—procedures—

(A) Enhanced training Training in autorotation procedures and energy management, including utilizing a combination of flight control inputs and maneuvering to prevent overshooting or undershooting the selected landing area from an entry altitude that permits safe recovery;

(B) Autorotations at an entry altitude that permits safe maneuvering and recovery utilizing minimum rate of descent configuration and maximum glide configuration;

(C) Engine rotor RPM control without the use of the governor; and

(

C

D) Low rotor RPM recognition and recovery.

(iii) Pilots who do not meet the experience requirement of paragraph 2(b)(2)(i) of this SFAR may not act as pilot in command of a Robinson model R-44 helicopter beginning 12 calendar months after the date of the endorsement identified in paragraph 2(b)(2)(ii) of this SFAR until those pilots have:

(A) Completed a flight review of the ground training subject areas identified by paragraph 2(a)(3) and the flight training identified in paragraph 2(b)(2)(ii) of this SFAR in an R-44; and

(

D) Effects of low G maneuvers and proper recovery procedures

B) Obtained an endorsement for that flight review from a flight instructor authorized under paragraph 2(b)(5)(iv) of this SFAR.

(3) A person who does not hold a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating must have had logged at least 20 hours of dual instruction flight training in a Robinson model R-22 helicopter from a flight instructor authorized under paragraph 2(b)(5)(iv) of this SFAR prior to operating it in solo flight. In addition, the person must obtain an endorsement from a certified flight instructor authorized under paragraph 2(b)(5)(iv) of this section SFAR that instruction training has been given in those maneuvers and procedures, and the instructor has found the applicant proficient to solo a Robinson model R-22 helicopter. This endorsement is valid for a period of 90 days. The dual instruction flight training must include at least the following abnormal and emergency procedures flight training:

(i) Enhanced training Training in autorotation procedures and energy management, including utilizing a combination of flight control inputs and maneuvering to prevent overshooting or undershooting the selected landing area from an entry altitude that permits safe recovery;

(ii) Autorotations at an entry altitude that permits safe maneuvering and recovery utilizing maximum glide configuration;

(iii) Engine rotor RPM control without the use of the governor

,

; and

(

iii

iv) Low rotor RPM recognition and recovery

, and

(iv) Effects of low G maneuvers and proper recovery procedures.

(4) A person who does not hold a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating must have had logged at least 20 hours of dual instruction flight training in a Robinson model R-44 helicopter from a flight instructor authorized under paragraph 2(b)(5)(iv) of this SFAR prior to operating it in solo flight. In addition, the person must obtain an endorsement from a certified flight instructor authorized under paragraph 2(b)(5)(iv) of this section SFAR that instruction training has been given in those maneuvers and procedures , and the instructor has found the applicant proficient to solo a Robinson model R-44 helicopter. This endorsement is valid for a period of 90 days. The dual instruction flight training must include at least the following abnormal and emergency procedures flight training:

(i) Enhanced training Training in autorotation procedures and energy management, including utilizing a combination of flight control inputs and maneuvering to prevent overshooting or undershooting the selected landing area from an entry altitude that permits safe recovery;

(ii) Autorotations at an entry altitude that permits safe maneuvering and recovery utilizing minimum rate of descent configuration and maximum glide configuration;

(iii) Engine rotor RPM control without the use of the governor, and

(

iii

iv) Low rotor RPM recognition and recovery

, and

(iv) Effects of low G maneuvers and proper recovery procedures.

(5) No certificated flight instructor may provide instruction training or conduct a flight review in a Robinson R-22 or R-44 unless that instructor—

(i) Completes the awareness ground training in paragraph 2(a) of this SFAR.

(ii) For the Robinson model R-22 helicopter, has had logged at least 200 flight hours in helicopters, at least 50 flight hours of which were in the Robinson model R-22 helicopter, or for the Robinson model R-44 helicopter, has had logged at least 200 flight hours in helicopters, 50 flight hours of which were in Robinson helicopters. Up to 25 flight hours of Robinson model R-22 helicopter flight time may be credited toward the 50-hour requirement.

(iii) Has completed flight training in a Robinson model R-22 , or R-44 helicopter, or both, on the following abnormal and emergency procedures—

(A) Enhanced training Training in autorotation procedures and energy management, including utilizing a combination of flight control inputs and maneuvering to prevent overshooting or undershooting the selected landing area from an entry altitude that permits safe recovery;

(B) For the Robinson model R-22 helicopter, autorotations at an entry altitude that permits safe maneuvering and recovery utilizing maximum glide configuration. For the Robinson model R-44 helicopter, autorotations at an entry altitude that permits safe maneuvering and recovery utilizing maximum glide configuration and minimum rate of descent configuration;

(C) Engine rotor RPM control without the use of the governor; and

(

C

D) Low rotor RPM recognition and recovery

; and

(D) Effects of low G maneuvers and proper recovery procedures.

(iv) Has been authorized by endorsement from an FAA aviation safety inspector or authorized designated examiner that the instructor has completed the appropriate training, meets the experience requirements, and has satisfactorily demonstrated an ability to provide instruction training on the general subject areas of paragraph 2(a)(3) of this SFAR, and the flight training identified in paragraph 2(b)(5)(iii) of this SFAR.

(c) Flight Review:.

(1) No flight review completed to satisfy § 61.56 by an individual after becoming eligible to function as pilot in command in a Robinson model R-22 helicopter shall be valid for the operation of an R-22 helicopter unless that flight review was taken in an R-22.

(2) No flight review completed to satisfy § 61.56 by an individual after becoming eligible to function as pilot in command in a Robinson model R-44 helicopter shall be valid for the operation of an R-44 helicopter unless that flight review was taken in the R-44.

(3) The flight review will include a review of the awareness ground training subject areas of paragraph 2(a)(3) of this SFAR and the flight training in abnormal and emergency procedures in the Robinson model R-22 or R-44 helicopter, as appropriate, identified in paragraph 2(b) of this SFAR.

(d) Currency Requirements: . No person may act as pilot in command of a Robinson model R-22 or R-44 helicopter carrying passengers unless the pilot in command has met the recency of flight experience requirements of § 61.57 in an R-22 or R-44, as appropriate.

3. Expiration date. This SFAR No. 73 shall remain in effect until it is expires August 22, 2029, unless sooner revised or rescinded.

[Doc. No. 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, as amended by SFAR 73-1, 63 FR 666, Jan. 7, 1998; 68 FR 43, Jan. 2, 2003; Amdt. 61-120, 73 FR 17246, Apr. 1, 2008; Amdt. SFAR 73-2, 74 FR 25650, May 29, 2009FAA-2023-2083; Amdt. No. 61-154, 89 FR 59608, July 23, 2024]