ACS Alignment

FAA-S-ACS-16 — Commercial Pilot, Rotorcraft–Helicopter · Area of Operation II. Preflight Procedures · Task: C & D — Powerplant Starting, Rotor Engagement & Before-Takeoff Check

CH.II.C.K1 — starting & rotor engagement procedures CH.II.D.K1 — before-takeoff/run-up checks & governor CH.II.C.R1 — rotor engagement hazards & clearing the area CH.II.D.S1 — complete the before-takeoff check

⚑ FLAG (Walter): combines Tasks C (Starting and Rotor Engagement) and D (Before Takeoff Check) — confirm codes and the R44 start/run-up procedure.

Starting, Rotor Engagement & Before-Takeoff Check

Bring the machine to life safely and confirm it is ready — area clear, gauges green, governor holding.

By the end of this lesson you can:

Perform the engine start and rotor engagement per the POH, clearing the area first.
Manage clutch/belt engagement and bring the rotor to operating RPM smoothly.
Complete the before-takeoff/run-up checks (gauges, governor, hydraulics if fitted, controls).
Recognize abnormal start/engagement indications and the correct response.

1 · Start & rotor engagement

Clear the area (rotor wash, bystanders, the tail rotor arc) and call ‘clear’ before start. Start per the POH, then engage the clutch/belt smoothly and watch engine and rotor RPM rise together to operating range — avoid abrupt engagement. Monitor for abnormal noises, vibration, or gauge indications and be ready to abort.

2 · Before-takeoff / run-up

Check	Confirm
Gauges	Oil temp/pressure, RPM, MAP, electrical all in the green.
Governor / correlator	Holding RPM as designed; throttle response correct.
Hydraulics (if fitted)	Checked per POH; controls free and correct.
Controls & area	Free and correct, friction set, area clear, briefing complete.

3 · Abnormals

Any abnormal gauge, warning light, unusual noise, or vibration during start, engagement, or run-up means stop and investigate — do not pick up to a hover hoping it clears. Know the immediate actions for a failed start, a governor fault, or rising temperatures.

4 · Watch

Curated reference clip — “R22 Helicopter Start-Up, Takeoff & Landing” · Ed Whisenant Aviation (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) — Engine Start & Run-up 📄 Robinson R44 POH — Normal Procedures (Section 4)

Your aircraft: the start, rotor-engagement, and run-up procedure and RPM/temperature targets are aircraft-specific — follow the R44 POH Section 4 exactly.

✍️ Fill in for the aircraft you fly your R44 start/engagement steps, the operating RPM range, and the before-takeoff governor/hydraulic checks — follow the R44 POH and confirm with your CFI.

⚑ FLAG (Walter): the R44 is a VFR-certificated piston helicopter; confirm the aircraft/figures the student actually flies and that all numbers come from the current R44 POH.

Risk management (the “Consider”): the engagement trap is an abrupt clutch engagement or skipping the run-up — or picking up to a hover with an abnormal indication. Clear the area, engage smoothly, complete the full before-takeoff check, and resolve any abnormal before the skids leave the ground.