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Icing for Rotocraft Pilots

Overview

• NASA partnering with Transport Canada, a rotorcraft (RC) manufacturer, and RC operator
• Identify operational needs with RC industry, med-evac, military, and training experts

Current Plans

• NASA/TC to provide imaging equipment to be installed on operator helicopter to record icing operations
• Collect file footage - record video of pre-flight briefings and vehicle inspection, taxi, takeoff, and landing operations
• Adapt existing icing training content for operator’s immediate use in classroom training

Training Materials Available

1. Icing for Rotorcraft Pilots, Instructor-led Module
   • NASA partnering with Transport Canada, Cougar Helicopter, Inc., and Sikorsky
   • Directed toward rotorcraft certified for flight into known icing
2. A Pilot’s Guide to Helicopter Icing
   • Draft of training module completed; sections titled:
     • "Rotorcraft Preflight (Before You Fly)"
     • "Rotorcraft In Flight"
   • Delivery design completed
     • Instructor-selectable lesson plans for operator specific training needs

Rotorcraft Preflight (Before You Fly) Module – Sample Module Screens

Select image for a larger view.

Rotorcraft Preflight (Before You Fly) Module – Overview Outline

1. Before You Fly – Module Overview
   1. Module Contents
2. Before You Fly - Know the Situation - Know the Situation
   1. Overview
   2. How Ice Forms
3. Before You Fly - Know the Situation - Weather
   1. Overview
      1. Cloud Formations
      2. Stratiform clouds
      3. Cumulus clouds
      4. Freezing Ground Fog
      5. Ice Fog
   2. Supercooled Large Droplets
4. Before You Fly - Know Your Capabilities – Know Your Capabilities
   1. Overview
   2. Aerodynamics of Icing
   3. Helicopter Design for Icing – Design
5. Before You Fly– Know Your Plan – Know Your Plan
   1. Overview
   2. Check the Weather
   3. Check the Helicopter