ACS Alignment

FAA-S-ACS-29 — Flight Instructor, Rotorcraft–Helicopter · Area of Operation VIII. Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds · Task: A–G — Normal/Crosswind, Max-Performance, Steep, Shallow/Running, Go-Around

HI.VIII.A.S1 — teaching normal & crosswind takeoff/approach HI.VIII.C.S1 — teaching max-performance & steep approach HI.VIII.F.S1 — teaching running landings HI.VIII.G.S7 — teaching the go-around

⚑ FLAG (Walter): combines Takeoff/Landing Tasks A–G (rolling takeoff Task E is wheel-type, N/A to skid R44) — confirm HI. codes against the current FAA-S-ACS-29.

Teaching Takeoffs, Approaches & Go-Arounds (Common Errors)

Coach stabilized approaches and the right takeoff profile — and a go-around decided early.

By the end of this lesson you can:

Teach normal/crosswind takeoff through ETL to a climb, and a stabilized approach to the spot.
Teach the max-performance takeoff and steep approach, including the settling-with-power hazard.
Teach the shallow approach/running landing for high DA or reduced power.
Teach an early, stabilized go-around and the common errors of each.

1 · Normal & performance takeoffs/approaches

Teach acceleration through ETL to the climb speed, and a stabilized approach (closure and descent reaching near-zero at the spot). For max-performance and steep, teach the power-margin requirement and the settling-with-power hazard of a steep, slow, high-sink approach. Common errors: unstable/overshot approaches, wrong sight picture, and lingering in the HV avoid region.

2 · Running landings

Teach the shallow approach/running landing for high DA or reduced power: forward airspeed maintained, skids aligned with travel, level, cushioned with collective. Common errors: too steep/slow (sink), misaligned touchdown (rollover risk), and poor surface selection.

3 · Go-around

Teach the go-around as a planned, early maneuver: power, climb attitude, accelerate through ETL, re-plan. The dangerous one is the late, low, slow go-around, especially at high DA. Set the decision criteria with the student in advance.

4 · Watch

Curated reference clip — “Helicopter Flight Training — Takeoff, Approach & Ground Reference Maneuvers” · Helicopter Training Videos (YouTube), verified via oEmbed. Embedded with the creator’s player; we don’t host or alter it.

5 · Reference sources

Use the authoritative references

📄 Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21) — Takeoffs, Approaches & Go-Arounds 📄 Robinson R44 POH — Performance & Normal Procedures

Your aircraft: airspeeds, profiles, and high-DA performance are aircraft-specific — teach from the R44 POH (Performance / Normal Procedures).

✍️ Fill in for the aircraft you fly the R44 climb/approach airspeeds, HV avoid regions, and running-landing technique you teach — look these up in the R44 POH and confirm with your CFII.

⚑ FLAG (Walter): the R44 is VFR-certificated; confirm any aircraft-specific values you teach from the current R44 POH, and confirm all endorsement wording against AC 61-65 and 14 CFR Part 61.

Risk management (the “Consider”): the teaching risks are letting an unstable approach continue and the settling-with-power trap on steep approaches. Teach stabilized approaches with go-around criteria set in advance, keep descent/airspeed margins on steep approaches, and require running landings rather than a hover the aircraft can’t hold.