ACS Alignment

FAA-S-ACS-16 — Commercial Pilot, Rotorcraft–Helicopter · Area of Operation V. Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds · Task: E, F & G — Rolling Takeoff, Shallow Approach/Running Landing & Go-Around

CH.V.F.S1 — shallow approach & running/roll-on landing CH.V.E.K1 — rolling takeoff (wheel-type gear) CH.V.G.S1 — timely, stabilized go-around CH.V.F.R1 — reduced-power / high-DA arrivals

⚑ FLAG (Walter): combines Tasks E (Rolling Takeoff, wheel-type), F (Shallow Approach & Running/Roll-On Landing), and G (Go-Around). Rolling takeoff applies to wheel-equipped helicopters; for the skid R44 the running landing is the relevant skill — confirm codes and applicability.

Rolling Takeoff, Running Landing & Go-Around

Arrive and depart with reduced power or in high DA using a shallow approach and a running landing — and go around when needed.

By the end of this lesson you can:

Explain when a running (roll-on) landing or rolling takeoff is used (reduced power, high DA, certain malfunctions).
Fly a shallow approach to a running landing with forward speed through touchdown.
Describe the rolling takeoff for wheel-equipped helicopters (not applicable to the skid R44).
Execute a timely, stabilized go-around from an approach.

1 · Why running landings / rolling takeoffs

When power available is insufficient for an OGE hover — high density altitude, heavy weight, or a partial power problem — a running landing (skids) or roll-on landing (wheels) lets you arrive with translational lift still helping, touching down with forward speed and sliding/rolling to a stop. A rolling takeoff (wheel-equipped) similarly uses forward acceleration to reach translational lift before lifting off. These keep you out of a hover you cannot sustain.

2 · Shallow approach & running landing

Fly a shallow approach with a low rate of descent, maintaining forward airspeed so the rotor stays in translational lift. Touch down with the skids aligned with the direction of travel and the helicopter level, allowing it to slide straight ahead while you cushion with collective; keep it tracking straight with pedals/cyclic on firm, smooth ground. Plan the slide-out distance and surface.

3 · Go-around

Any unstable or unsafe approach — sink you cannot arrest, an obstacle, a gust, traffic — calls for an early go-around: apply power, establish a climb attitude, accelerate through translational lift, and re-establish the climb, then re-plan. Decide early; a late, low, slow go-around (especially at high DA) is the dangerous one.

4 · Watch

Curated reference clip — “Running Landing in a Helicopter” · 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) — Shallow Approach & Running Landing 📄 Robinson R44 POH — Performance & Normal Procedures

Your aircraft: the running-landing technique, touchdown speed, and surface requirements are aircraft- and condition-specific — note your R44 guidance and the high-DA performance from the POH.

✍️ Fill in for the aircraft you fly the conditions (DA/weight) under which your R44 cannot hold an OGE hover and the running-landing touchdown technique/speed — look these up in 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 trap is forcing a hover the aircraft cannot sustain at high DA instead of using a running landing, or touching down not aligned with the direction of travel (risking dynamic rollover/ground contact). Use a shallow approach with forward speed, land aligned and level on suitable ground, and go around early when the approach is not working.