Before taking off, the pilot must conduct a thorough pre-flight inspection of the helicopter to ensure that it is airworthy. This includes checking the fuel levels, oil pressure, and other vital components.
Step 2: Starting the engine
Once the pre-flight checks are complete, the pilot starts the helicopter's engine. This is typically done by turning a key or switch, which activates the helicopter's starter motor.
Step 3: Increasing the rotor speed
The next step is to increase the speed of the helicopter's rotors. This is done by increasing the throttle, which controls the amount of fuel that is sent to the engine. As the throttle is increased, the rotor speed will increase accordingly.
Step 4: Lifting off
When the rotor speed reaches a certain point, the helicopter will begin to lift off the ground. The pilot will continue to increase the throttle until the helicopter reaches the desired altitude.
Step 5: Flying the helicopter
Once the helicopter is in the air, the pilot will use the controls to fly it in the desired direction. The helicopter's cyclic stick controls the helicopter's pitch and roll, while the collective stick controls the helicopter's altitude. The rudder pedals control the helicopter's yaw.
Step 6: Landing the helicopter
When the pilot is ready to land the helicopter, they will reduce the throttle, which will cause the rotor speed to decrease. As the rotor speed decreases, the helicopter will begin to descend. The pilot will continue to reduce the throttle until the helicopter touches down on the ground.
Step 7: Shutting down the engine
Once the helicopter is on the ground, the pilot will shut down the engine. This is typically done by turning a key or switch, which deactivates the helicopter's starter motor.
