Proper AP use during landing

[Dr_Arrow]

I have watched all landing videos, read the manual and forums, however I still don't know what is the proper real-world landing technique with Black Shark regarding the use of autopilot. I suppose that altitude channel should be switched off, but what about the other channels? For me, it is easiest to land with F/D, but I would like to know how is it done in real life. Thanks for answers.

[Ich666]

They're probably just going to trim the helo as slow as neccessary and then land :) FD isnt used in reality, the pilots are clicking the trim button pretty often.

[-MadCat-]

This is just how I do it and may be a very personal method:

 

[skipping all the approach to the airdrome itself, going right into final approach]

I usually do a plane approach from a good 2+ km off the threshold for the briefed runway with about 700-500m altitude. Airspeed by now usually is 150 > ... > 100 [km/h].

That gives me plenty of time to allign with the runway and adjust the glide path. Yet don't quote me on the exact numbers, lots of VFR going on for me here.

I then trim the helicopter slower the closer I get to the threshold and try to keep the glide slope little past the threshold.

Until touchdown I keep the helicopter trimmed for slow forward flight, so I touchdown with little back pressure on the stick in case for a vertical touchdown,

or just let it settle gently with collective for a slow rolling touchdown.

AP-channels for bank yaw and pitch are all on, no altitude hold and no F/D.

 

Works perfectly almost every single landing and gives a real smooth touchdown with well below 1,5g.

Sometimes I don't even notice the main wheels touching down, until the nose then starts to drop letting me know main wheels have contact.

 

F/D may be useful for very short approaches on a pad or the like.

 

Try and figure out what works best for you.

I don't think there is THE proper technique how to do it in real life.

I could very well imagine each pilot doing what works best for him, hence I thought sharing how I do it.

 

Greetings

MadCat

[Ich666]

This is just how I do it and may be a very personal method:

 

[skipping all the approach to the airdrome itself, going right into final approach]

I usually do a plane approach from a good 2+ km off the threshold for the briefed runway with about 700-500m altitude. Airspeed by now usually is 150 > ... > 100 [km/h].

That gives me plenty of time to allign with the runway and adjust the glide path. Yet don't quote me on the exact numbers, lots of VFR going on for me here.

I then trim the helicopter slower the closer I get to the threshold and try to keep the glide slope little past the threshold.

Until touchdown I keep the helicopter trimmed for slow forward flight, so I touchdown with little back pressure on the stick in case for a vertical touchdown,

or just let it settle gently with collective for a slow rolling touchdown.

AP-channels for bank yaw and pitch are all on, no altitude hold and no F/D.

 

Works perfectly almost every single landing and gives a real smooth touchdown with well below 1,5g.

Sometimes I don't even notice the main wheels touching down, until the nose then starts to drop letting me know main wheels have contact.

 

F/D may be useful for very short approaches on a pad or the like.

 

Try and figure out what works best for you.

I don't think there is THE proper technique how to do it in real life.

I could very well imagine each pilot doing what works best for him, hence I thought sharing how I do it.

 

Greetings

MadCat

 

Pretty much this. IRL the pilots seem to do it in a similar manner, I just cant find the cockpit video I have in mind right now, gonna add it later if i can find it.

[bubbel]

Real pilots press and hold the trim button just as long as they need to maneuver.

Once there ok with their position they release the trim button and let the auto pilot get authority.

Just press and hold at takeoff landing and maneuvering in flight.

(its the same thing as F/D)

[bubbel]

[JG14_Smil]

Use whatever technique you like, but unchain your rudder from the trimmer for maximum BS enjoyment.

[-MadCat-]

Real pilots press and hold the trim button just as long as they need to maneuver.

Once there ok with their position they release the trim button and let the auto pilot get authority.

Just press and hold at takeoff landing and maneuvering in flight.

(its the same thing as F/D)

 

 

Not entirely true:

[ ... ]

 

You may trim in either discreet presses/releases of the button or by holding the button down while you maneuver the helicopter into the desired position. Once the helicopter is stable, you can release the trim button to command the FCS to stabilize the current flight parameters. In reality, the second method is not advised or typically used by Ka-50 pilots, because holding down the trimmer button while maneuvering the helicopter can easily lead to oversteering.

[Dr_Arrow]

Thanks for very interesting answers. With AP on final or maneuvering onto a landing spot like FARP, holding down trimmer makes sense (it certainly works this way in Mi-8, you hold the trimmer maneuver and release in desired position for AP to stabilize). I can't imagine how to do it with short trimmer presses with AP engaged.

[Ich666]

Clicking is more of a neccessity when youre using FFB sticks, the sudden loss of all force acting on them can indeed lead to oversteering when you press and hold the trim button.

[bubbel]

Landing on a tight spot i can't trim 5 times in 1 second doesent give me control on the inch.

 

In flight you can manage to press it , but i love it as smood as posible.

I also override the auto pilot when going to low speed or a hoover fast.

Using the hotas warthog.

[Dr_Arrow]

Landing on a tight spot i can't trim 5 times in 1 second doesent give me control on the inch.

 

In flight you can manage to press it , but i love it as smood as posible.

I also override the auto pilot when going to low speed or a hoover fast.

Using the hotas warthog.

 

What I found that when landing and fine tuning my position I just move the stick very gently and fine tune my attitude without pressing trim button - I really don't know if AP is fighting me, but it feels like it doesn't. I've tried the technique shown in this video and it seems to work:huh::

 

[bubbel]

Nice movie I'm Buying :thumbup:

 

I dont think the huey has the trimmer connected to the autopilot . It will probably trim stick position and the forces on it . Within my knowledge , if your not overriding the autopilot your fighting the autopilot .

[roob]

52:00 minutes in, I land at a FARP using the "constant trim method". All AP channels on except ALT HLD. It's how I always do, and it works like a charm once you get the hang of how the trimming works. FFB joystick though :)

 

http://www.twitch.tv/juclecia/c/1817255

Edited April 19, 2013 by roob