ACS Alignment

FAA-S-ACS-15 — Private Pilot, Rotorcraft–Helicopter · Area of Operation V. Takeoffs, Landings & Go-Arounds · Task: Normal Approach & Landing

PA.V.B.K1 — approach angle & aim point PA.V.B.K2 — rate of closure & ETL on approach PA.V.B.R1 — risk: steep/shallow approach, VRS PA.V.B.S1 — stabilized approach to a hover

Normal Approach & Landing

A stabilized approach to a hover or to the surface — angle, rate, and aim point.

By the end of this lesson you can:

Fly a stabilized normal approach at a constant angle to a selected termination point.
Control rate of closure and recognize the loss of ETL near the bottom of the approach.
Terminate to a stationary hover (or to the surface) under control.
Explain how an overly steep, low-airspeed approach can invite settling with power.

1 · The stabilized approach

A normal approach is flown at a constant, shallow-to-moderate angle toward a selected aim/termination point, with a steadily decreasing rate of closure. Pick the spot, set the angle, and use collective to control the rate of descent and cyclic to control the angle/closure — adjusting both together. As you slow below ETL near the bottom, expect to add power and manage the increased power demand smoothly to arrive at a stationary hover over your spot.

2 · Aim point & closure

Judge the approach by how the aim point sits in the windscreen: a constant picture means a constant angle. Closure should decrease so you arrive at walking pace, not rushing or stopping short. A good approach is set up early and stays stabilized — large late corrections are a sign to go around.

3 · Watch

Curated reference clip — “The Key To A Nice Normal Helicopter Approach,” Helicopter Online Ground School LLC (YouTube). Embedded with the creator's player; we don't host or alter it.

4 · Reference sources

Use the authoritative references

📄 FAA Helicopter Flying Handbook, Ch. 9 — Basic Flight Maneuvers (approaches & landings) 📄 FAA HFH, Ch. 11 — Emergencies & Hazards (settling with power)

Your aircraft: approach technique and airspeeds are in your Robinson R44 POH, Section 4 (Normal Procedures). Use POH guidance for your aircraft.

✍️ Fill in for the aircraft you fly (N-________)

Value / limit:

R44 POH section & page:

Leave blank until you look it up in your R44 POH (see the reference above) and confirm it with your CFI. Aircraft-specific numbers vary with weight & conditions — don’t guess.

Risk management (the “Consider”): a steep approach flown too slowly with high power and a high descent rate sets up the classic recipe for settling with power (vortex ring state). Keep the approach stabilized and the rate of descent controlled, maintain some translational lift as long as practical, and go around early rather than salvaging an unstable approach.