Short video about the correct technique for a running landing in the Mi-24P. All according to the manual. Some questions and answers below:
Q. So - why are running landings done in the first place?
A. It requires less engine power. Especially when the helicopter is at it's maximum operating weight and there's high air temperature or the airfield is situated at high altitude - you might not be able to execute a vertical landing out of a hover. The approach can be flown as part of an instrument procedure, a straight in visual or from a traffic pattern.
Q. What are the main points of this approach again?
A.
1. Starting at 1000m distance / 100m height / 80kph.
2. Descend at 80kph / with about 2m/s / Maximum allowed 3m/s!
3. At 50m lower landing gear and begin speed reduction.
4. At 3-5m reduce vertical speed to 0,5m/s.
5. Touchdown at 40-50kph.
6. Lower collective to 6-8° / deflect cyclic 1/3 aft / use wheel brake.
7. Once stopped, center cyclic / lower collective.
Q. Why are there no control indicators in the video?
A. In about 99% of the video the control inputs are so small that you would not even notice any movement on the indicator. So, for the immersion I prefer to keep it off.
Q. How do I set myself up correctly for the approach?
A. Set the airfield QFE on your altimeter, so that it indicates 0 when you have landed. Set the approach course on the gyro compass. On the map, find a feature that helps you to estimate 1000m from the threshold. Set 50m height on the radio altimeter as a reminder for the landing gear. Confirm / set main rotor to 95% RPM. Confirm the SPUU-52 tail rotor pitch limiter is on and operating. When outside air temperature is above 15°C, switch the air conditioning off to safe engine power. When operating on a dusty airfield, switch on the dust particle separator system. Maximum tail and crosswind is 10m/s.
Q. Why is the approach flown at such a low airspeed?
A. There are indeed more energetic approach procedures available - but they are also much more difficult to fly, as they require significant deceleration during the descend, while maintaining a maximum of 3m/s vertical speed. That requires a nose high attitude and gives you a bad visibility of the landing spot. This - low airspeed - type of approach gives you better visibility and great controllability because things happen at a slower pace. It's really meant to be used for a "return to base" type landing in a low threat environment. And it's a great approach to start with - although flying it by the book is difficult enough!
Q. Why is the landing gear lowered this late?
A. Flying an instrument approach or a traffic pattern, it's usually done earlier. For a straight in approach the manual states: 50m height.
Q. Why do I not lower the collective right after touchdown and pull full aft cyclic for braking?
A. This is forbidden by manual, because you are risking to hit the tailboom with the main rotor. The correct procedure is to maintain 6-8° of collective pitch, deflect the cyclic 1/3rd aft and use the wheel brake.
Q. Why even bother flying "by the numbers"? I fly be the visual picture and my feeling!
A. Real life pilots learn to fly by the numbers. The basis is precise hand-flying. Keeping those needles steady. Maintaining altitude, airspeed and heading in straight and level flight. That's where it all starts. Now, if you progress to more complex maneuvers, like a rolling landing, you need a way to describe those. Geometry or math / numbers are the only way to do that in a professional manner. This way they can be talked through and replicated. Real world pilots generally practice things again and again until muscle memory and experience grows. At some point, they will not have to rely on numbers so much anymore - but they will fly more by visual picture and feeling. Yet, their focus will be on maintaining some important numbers "in the green".
Q. Which manual is this procedure based on?
A. It's based on the "Mi-24P helicopter crew instruction book 1" in Russian language. I can not share the file, but you will find it, if you search for "Ми-24П Инструкция экипажу". I recommend yandex.ru for searching Russian documents.
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