DVD Titles	Time Hrs:Mins
1	Trial Instruction Flight and Breakfree DVD (free) An ideal introduction to the helicopter's controls and its systems prior to your first flight. Gives you good grounding and is meant to whet the taste buds - you'll want more.	1:05
2	Pre-Flight Inspection R22A comprehensive walk around the R22, explaining its components, prior to flight. An hour of very intense detail - excellent to use in conjunction with the flight manual.	1:15
3	Pre-Flight Inspection Bell 47A detailed walk around the Bell 47, explaining its components, prior to flight. This helicopter is an oldie but a goodie, made famous from the TV series M*A*S*H.	1:10
4	Effect of Controls An in-depth look at the Bell 47 and R22, the positioning, functions and uses of their controls. Very detailed and hands on viewing of controls linking up with the board briefs.	2:55
5	Elementary Handling Following on from "Effects of Controls", how to become a better, safer pilot in the climb, descent, turn and power changes.	0:45
6	The Circuit/Traffic Patterns ** Puts together the use of controls and elementary handling into a formal pattern. Footage taken from the cockpit illustrates all aspects of a circuit from you, the pilot's view.	0:50
7	The Hover and Engine Failure at the Hover (EFATH)** Including engine failure at the hover, take off and landing, taxi and pattern hover. Once you have the helicopter three feet above the ground you need to be able to manoeuvre it and put it on the ground.	1:00
8	Basic Autorotations ** An introduction into engine-off landings in a helicopter.	1:10
9	Advanced Autorotations ** Advanced techniques and forced landings for positioning the helicopter after an engine failure. A must-see for pilots.	1:00
10	Slope Operations ** Landing and taking off from uneven or unprepared surfaces, and the pitfalls.	0:50
11	Jammed Controls ** How to handle each one of the primary controls jamming in flight.	1:40
12	Low Flying ** Advanced exercises and safety through and awareness in low level manoeuvring, positioning and emergencies.	1:10
13	Confined Areas ** Positioning the helicopter in small confined areas and how to assess those areas. Includes footage of a Jetranger helicopter flying into a cave - now that's worth a look!	1:35
14	Limited Power Operations Operating the helicopter with minimum power as found in high altitudes, high density altitude, hot temperatures or heavy loaded.	1:00
15	Navigation How a helicopter pilot gets from point A to point B. Excellent as a reminder of those valuable hints and tips for a more professional approach.	1:10
16	Mountain Flying and Pinnacles ** Putting together all of the skills and confining them to valleys and pinnacles. Excellent flying sequences. Includes footage of helicopter flying into a cave.	1:35
17	Sling Loads ** How to get the most out of your sling load operation. A look at equipment and various lifting techniques. Flying footage of different loads, lengths of chains, nets, etc, plus a sling load operation in a Papua New Guinea mountain village. Some great footage of sling loads on Bell 47 in training situations.	1:40
18	Emergencies and Forced Landings ** Know how to avert a tragedy through knowledge of some of the common things that can go wrong in flight and how to deal with them and make forced landings.	1:00
19	Mustering Operations ** Chasing the cow and all its Australian pitfalls - presented by an ex-stockman and mustering pilot. Some excellent footage from an Australian Outback station real muster.	0:55
20	Aerodynamics Thumb nail (5 minute) briefs on the most common aerodynamics associated with helicopters. Only needed as part of the Light Helicopter Safety Course.	1:20
21	Human Factors and Insurance A look at the nut behind the wheel and those who insure us! Whether we like it or not, pilot error is still a major cause of accidents. Know how to personally avert it.	1:20
** Includes flying sequences
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Advanced Autorotations

Unfortunately you cannot choose when your engine quits on you, so when it does, for all you know, you may be in an unusual attitude, or a position with limited options.  This is where it would be handy to have some tricks up your sleeve to better manoeuvre the helicopter to make it to a suitable landing spot.  

This presentation is filled with tips that will make your split decisions a lot easier to make.  The briefs take a realistic approach to the subject.  For example, when considering executing a 360 degree autorotation, you may prefer to substitute it for a sequence of s-turns.  The reason being that the pilot can maintain sight of his landing spot, and therefore never loses the ability to judge his rate of descent and rate of closure.

There are detailed discussions on range and endurance autorotations, as well as 180, 360 and s-turns.  What about making an approach into a confined area?  The constant attitude autorotation might just allow you to get in there safely.

This presentation is a great tool for instructors and students alike, as it includes important checks to carry out before you commence the practice session in your training area. Students are also reminded about airmanship considerations.   What sort of autorotation would you use if you were on a night flight and your engine quit at 2000 feet AGL?  Questions like this are addressed, and leave the viewer feeling like an expert.  RPM and speed recommendations for the Robinson R22 and the B47 in various configurations are also described.

The DVD ends with some great footage of autorotations, including an engine failure at 400 feet after a vertical take off.

Advanced techniques and forced landings for positioning the helicopter after an engine failure. An introduction into engine-off landings.

A must-see for all pilots. The primary purpose of autorotations is to save crew and passengers from injury, following an in-flight engine failure or similar major emergency.

In practice autorotations, there is also the need to avoid damaging the helicopter. These skills can only be acquired and maintained with practice.

Airmanship: Pre-entry checks, Post-entry checks as appropriate to type, Aircraft Performance Limitations, Suitable landing area and Lookout.

Aerodynamics

Helicopters present one of the most fascinating aerodynamics situations. They were not born to fly and you the pilot make them fly by the input on all of the controls. Have you always wondered how the helicopter flies and what sorts of factors are involved with the rotating wing as apposed to the fixed-wing cousins.

Terms like thrust, drag, rotor drag, total rotor thrust & torque.

Why do helicopters hover left skid low, or right skid low, what is the aerodynamic principle behind it. What is inflow roll, tail rotor drift, vortex ring state, LTE, Ground Resonance?

Translational lift. This DVD is a simple thumb nail sketches designed to give you a good solid broad overview of all the aerodynamic principles you will encounter as a student, and pilot.

Summary: Thumb Nail 5 minute briefs on most common aerodynamics associated with helicopters. An excellent brush up on Principles of Flight

Basic Autorotations **

This DVD gives an introduction into Engine-off landings in a helicopter and how to land safely. The Advanced Autorotations covers more advanced and complicated engine failures, autorotations backwards, 360 degrees, with turns etc.

This Basic Autorotations DVD has a board brief on how to autorotate to the ground safety. It also covers when to use autorotation, the difference between the clutch and free wheeling unit, how to maintain RPM, angles of descent and the aerodynamic principles behind it.

This presentation covers the steps a pilot should follow in order to execute a controlled landing after an engine failure in flight.  The viewer gains the benefit of two instructor’s experience, shared through detailed board briefs.  The initial entry into autorotation, the approach and the landing are described in terms of the aerodynamic principles involved.  Pilots are reminded that the machine still ‘flies’, the only difference being that it is now in a controlled, constant descent.  The briefs will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of what happens to the rotor disc and total rotor thrust during a flare, and how the three ‘flare effects’ work to arrest the rate of descent as well as wiping off the forward airspeed.

The briefs are ideal for a student pilot, new to autorotations, and handy for experienced pilots who have not done one in a while.  Pilots who are training to become instructors will also find this presentation invaluable in aiding their onward teaching.

On the more technical side, the finer points of rotor RPM control are outlined.  Engine handling, especially near the end of the autorotation, if the needles are to be re-joined, is a serious matter for pilots and aircraft owners / operators who conduct multiple autorotations, as seen for instance, in a training environment.  A note is made of the different handling requirements of low inertia rotor systems, such as on the popular Robinson R22, compared to the high inertia Bell 47.

Through vector diagrams, the instructors demonstrate how the rotor blades are divided into different sections during autorotative flight.  A useful explanation of the height-velocity graph, more commonly known as “ the dead mans curve”, helps pilots understand why they need to be operating out of the ‘shaded areas’, and what the consequences may be if they chose to operate within them.  For instructors and students alike, some common faults are outlined.  The intention is to make pilots more aware, and therefore more empowered to take corrective action before it is too late.

Elementary Handling

The basics of forward flight are covered here.  A student pilot needs to learn the correct, safe and efficient method for changing the power settings and attitude during the initiation and conclusion of a climb or descent.  Getting it right initially takes discipline, and conscious effort.  However, ‘perfect practice makes perfect’, and soon the transition from straight and level flight to a climb will seem like a natural sequence that requires almost none of your conscious attention.

The briefs explain the all important relationship between the aircraft’s attitude and forward air speed.  The viewer is reminded of the advantage of attitude flying by looking outside the cockpit to the horizon, rather than staring inside, chasing the needles.  Incidentally, this is the philosophy used in military flying, and produces pilots with better situational awareness. It also trains the pilot to better use his or her other senses.  For example, listening to the engine RPM, rather than gaining engine information solely from a gauge is a secondary benefit of flying with your eyes outside.

Have you ever wondered how forces are balanced on a helicopter in forward flight?  What happens when the pilot tilts the disc through the use of his controls?  The forces involved are explained.  Knowing how this works, will make you a better pilot, and may stop you from making a costly mistake one day.

Smooth power changes and the sequence of control inputs are described for sequences such as turning or slowing down while maintaining height.  Some common student-faults to guard against are highlighted for each of the four controls; Cyclic, Collective, Anti-torque Pedals, and Throttle.

Watch this DVD if you are new to helicopter flight, and wish to gain a deeper fundamental understanding of what experienced pilots do when they are in the command seat.

Emergencies and Forced Landing

This is a discussion of various emergency situations a helicopter pilot may be faced with at some point in his or her career.  It covers mayday radio calls in detail, showing you why certain information takes priority.  The relevant transponder codes are also highlighted. In some emergencies a trouble check is appropriate, in others it is redundant.

Briefing your passengers in an effective format on the way down, and even before flight can also make a difference. Mike Becker emphasizes the importance for a pilot to have a good awareness of the helicopter and his own ability, as even two similar emergencies on different days may require a completely different response!  Drawing on his own experience, he gives a valuable opinion on how to approach emergency training in general. As each emergency is different from the next, it is tricky to train for a particular situation.  This is where Mike's simple method comes into its own.

From engine failures to fires, and even fan belt failures, the best pilot reactions are outlined for you.

Why do you need to slow down if you have lost hydraulics?  What are the indications of a high frequency vibration as opposed to a low frequency vibration in flight? What do you do if you lose your trims?  All shall be revealed!

In any stage of a flight the pilot has priorities as follows: Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.  This still applies in an emergency.  Various scenarios and forced landings are also described.

This presentation is an eye opener for the student pilot as well as an invaluable tool for experienced pilots wanting to refresh their emergency procedures.  There are several flying sequences in the R22, filmed from the ground, including touch down autorotations (which incidentally have been discontinued in some countries), and jammed pedal landings.

Limited Power

For part of your helicopter career you will operate a helicopter with adequate power and in some cases have power in reserve

However power availability will be a prime consideration and limiting factor in some areas of helicopter operations. For example confined area operations, Mountain flying, Low flying and underslung loads.

Power availability is a major consideration and limiting factor in actual commercial operations.

On many commercial operations the helicopter must operate at maximum power during certain phases of flight – normally landing and taking off at maximum all up weight.

At maximum power, correct pilot technique will be necessary to obtain optimum aircraft performance, and to satisfactory and safely complete a job.

Confined Areas

Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes

Mountain Flying and Pinnacles

The aim of this DVD is to teach some skills, judgment and techniques required when flying in mountainous country at the helicopters power limits.

Flying low level in mountainous terrain with limited power available is the aerodynamics behind this DVD.

Mountain flying is carried out in higher remote areas where steep rugged terrain, weather and higher altitudes can cause additional challenges to the helicopter and pilot.

Mike and Fergus cover such things covered are: Altitude considerations, wind effects, approaches, general flying and emergencies.

Other factors to be aware of are retreating blade stall at low speeds especially in rough air at Higher All Up Weight (AUW), & factors like Velocity Never Exceed (VNE) limits are covered.

Over pitching, power settling, rotor system speed, cyclic pitch, effects on tail rotors, effects of terrain on wind speed are all factors to be managed whilst flying in mountains. A must for all pilots and students who love the rugged or seek to be involved in this sort of flying.

Summary:

Putting together all of the skills and confining them to valleys and pinnacles. Excellent flying sequences.  Includes footage of helicopter flying into a cave.

** Flying Sequences included

Duration: 1 hr 35 minutes

All regions DVD's

Included is a safety focused brief with some great tips and a message of experience from the real world, as well as footage from actual mustering operations, using Robinson R22 and Hughes 300 helicopters.  The legal responsibilities for mustering operations are outlined at the beginning.  The pilot’s minimum experience requirements, the company’s low flying approval, the aircraft’s maintenance standard requirement, and insurance are among the items discussed.

Mustering includes some unusual airmanship considerations.  This presentation highlights the need for the pilot to think well ahead and work to a carefully laid out plan when it comes to dealing with reduced visibility due to dust and a setting sun, or the placement of fuel drums in a paddock.  An awareness of the height velocity graph is essential.  Although mustering operations are conducted within the shaded areas a lot of the time, knowing where the wind is coming from and positioning or orientating the helicopter appropriately is your ticket out of it.  The nature of this kind of work can be very demanding and frustrating, the film shows you how not to let it get the better of you, especially on a hot day, when you have just fuelled up and the helicopter is already near its limits.

The basics of managing the helicopter’s noise levels, and bothering a beast by entering its flight zone, are complimented by some of the finer points of the trade such as how to look after your cattle.  Pilots need to be aware of pressure points.  During certain stages it is even recommended that the pilot be alone in the machine, to minimise weight and maximise helicopter performance.

Mustering pilots are the true cowboys of the air in the Outback of Australia.

Summary: Chasing the cow and all its Australian pitfalls - presented by an ex-stockman and mustering pilot. Some excellent footage from an Australian Outback station real muster.

Duration: 55 minutes

Flying footage taken from actual mustering operations in the Australian outback

Navigation:

This is an enormous topic but this DVD breaks it down into the fundamentals of flight planning, setting up your map, filling in Flight planning forms, using your Flight computer, Rulers and protractors.  A practical hand on with some very good hints and tips to make sure your cockpit is not cluttered and keeps you on track to stick to the basics.

It covers aspects of True airspeed, Track, Magnetic headings versus True, Ground speed, distance and Estimated times of arrival, all terms and details you will learn and develop as a pilot.

Summary:

How a helicopter pilot gets from point A to point B. Excellent as a reminder of those valuable hints and tips for a more professional approach 

Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

Bell 47 Pre-Flight Inspection

Who determines whether an aircraft is airworthy? - Answer: The pilot of course! Here is how it’s done: A thorough inspection of the entire helicopter must be carried out once a day, before any flying can be done. Mike Becker shows us how to inspect the Bell 47 helicopter from tip to toe. As well as explaining what an airworthiness directive (AD) is, some other common problems found on this type of helicopter are highlighted for you.

Loaded with good tips and common sense, this is about as thorough a pre-flight inspection as any safe pilot would want to carry out.  In the beginning you are introduced to the fuel drain, a procedure which allows you to check the grade and purity of the fuel in your tanks. The bubble and surrounding rivets are an easy start to the airframe inspection. Once Mike goes into the intricacies of the Lord-Mounts and the clues to look for on the exhaust manifold, you know you are with someone who is both passionate and knowledgeable in this field.

Learn what to look for on magnetos, the harness, spark plugs, the engine's rocker covers, the oil cooler, hydraulic system, fan belts and pulleys to get you warmed up for the real juicy stuff, the main and tail rotor assemblies.

The Bell 47 can be a greasy machine that requires lots of care and attention to detail, but it is a great helicopter to learn how to conduct daily pre-flights on, as it is so open and parts are easily accessible thanks to its truss frame of hollow steel tubing. Ever wondered how a Delta-3 hinge works to equalise lift on both of the tail rotor blades? Here is a simple explanation, easy to see as demonstrated by Mike Becker  in this DVD.

What is the one thing a helicopter pilot should constantly be improving? His technical knowledge about the machines he flies. In an occupation where safety is paramount, this presentation will certainly introduce the Bell 47, as well as

raise a pilot's awareness in what to look for during the walk-around.

Summary:

R22 Pre-Flight

Before a pilot can take to the skies, he or she obviously needs to check that the machine is safe to fly. To determine this, in helicopters, all the crucial parts of the fuselage, engine, rotors and safety systems are thoroughly inspected and tested

by the pilot.  Watching Fergus Ponder and then Mike Becker walk around the Robinson R22, you quickly realise that helicopter pilots know their machines very well.

Starting by checking the fuel quantity and untying the rotor blades, the pre-flight check takes you right around the helicopter in a structured, easy-to-follow sequence.  Many known Robinson R22 'common faults' are highlighted for you.

From clutches and belts through the upper frame, oil coolers, magnetos, tail rotor, and chip lights, there are a lot of helicopter-specific terms to absorb. Its like learning a new language!  Once you master this walk-around, you will sound

like you were the inventor of the helicopter himself!

Like with every aircraft the oil is checked, fuel is 'drained' and all parts of the engine are inspected for oil leaks.

Whilst this DVD is not designed to explain how helicopters fly, in watching it you will certainly gain a lot of insight and a good, solid knowledge about these magnificent flying machines.  At the end, the Maintenance Release needs to be signed, and Mike takes the time to introduce this legal document to you.  Now the helicopter is ready for flight.  Once you are ready, Mike also shows you a pre-start check, including how to start it up and what indications to look for on

your engine and rotor gauges.

Pilots carry out a pre-flight inspection because the law requires them to. Good, safe pilots carry out a thorough, disciplined, well researched pre-flight inspection to gain knowledge and peace of mind.