SFAR 73 to Part 61 Robinson R22/R44 Special Training and Experience Requirements

Awareness Training Anyone who manipulates the controls of an R22/R44 must have received awareness training by an authorized flight instructor on the following subject matters: 1. Energy Management 2. Mast Bumping 3. Low Rotor RPM (Blade Stall) 4. Low G Hazards 5. Rotor RPM Decay Pre-Solo Requirements for Student Pilots and Pilots not holding a Helicopter Rating o Must obtain at least 20 hours of dual flight instruction in the R22 before operating it in solo flight. o Must have received flight training by an authorized flight instructor in the following abnormal and emergency procedures in the R22: 1. Enhanced training in autorotation procedures, 2. Engine rotor RPM control without the use of a governor, 3. Low rotor RPM recognition and recovery, 4. Effects of low G maneuvers and proper recovery procedures. o Must receive an endorsement from an authorized flight instructor indicating that training has been given in these maneuvers and procedures and that the applicant is proficient to solo a Robinson R22. This endorsement is valid for a period of 90 days. Acting as PIC in a Robinson R22 No person may act as PIC of an R22 unless that person has either: 1. At least 200 flight hours in helicopters and at least 50 flight hours in the R22; or 2. Has had at least 10 hours of dual instruction in the R22 and received an endorsement from an authorized flight instructor stating that the pilot has received the training required and is proficient to act as pilot in command of an R22. The 10 hours of flight instruction must include training in the following areas: o Enhanced training in autorotation procedures, o Engine rotor RPM control without the use of the governor, o Low rotor RPM recognition and recovery, and o Effects of low G maneuvers and recovery procedures. SFAR 73 Flight Review Anyone acting as PIC of an R22 under the second option (10hrs dual instruction w/ endors.) MUST complete a flight review in an R22 within 12 calendar months after the date of endorsement. This flight review is completely independent of the bi-annual flight review required by FAR 61.56 and does not fulfill it, unless they are combined and taken at the same time. The SFAR 73 flight review must include a review of the awareness training subject areas and the flight training of paragraph 2(b) of the SFAR.

FAR 61.56 Flight Review A flight review taken to satisfy 61.56 must be taken in a Robinson R22 to be valid for the operation of an R22. The flight review must include a review of the awareness training subject areas and the flight training required by SFAR 73. Currency No person may act as PIC of a Robinson R22 carrying passengers unless the pilot has met the recency of flight experience requirements of 61.57 in an R22. Robinson R44 All the same SFAR 73 rules apply to the R44, there are however a couple small differences: o To act as PIC of an R44 you must have 200 flight hours in helicopters and 50 flight hours in the R44, but you can credit 25 hours of R22 flight time towards the 50 hours. This does NOT work vice versa. o There is the same alternate option (as with the R22) if you do not meet these experience requirements. You can acquire a minimum of 10 hours dual flight instruction in an R44 and an instructor endorsement to act as PIC. With the R44 however you can credit 5 hours of R22 dual instruction towards the 10 hours. Again, this does NOT work vice versa. *Important Note: In reference to SFAR 73 and 61.56 flight reviews, and 61.57 currency requirements: Each must be accomplished in a R44 to be valid for a R44, i.e., a flight review accomplished in an R22 does satisfy the flight review requirements for the R44, nor vice versa. So, if you want to be able to continually act as PIC of both the R22 and the R44 you must successfully complete separate flight reviews in each aircraft as well as meet the currency requirements in each aircraft if you plan to carry passengers.

by E. Mabrouk