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The Art of the Helicopter John Watkinson - Karatunov.net

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274 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Art</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Helicopter</strong><br />

(b)<br />

Fig. 7.10 (a) QFE is <strong>the</strong> local barometric pressure at ground level at an airfield. When <strong>the</strong> subscale is set to<br />

QFE, <strong>the</strong> altimeter reads height AGL (above ground level). (b) Once away from an airfield, <strong>the</strong> altimeter may be<br />

set to QNH. This is local pressure reduced to MSL (mean sea level) and <strong>the</strong> altimeter reads height above MSL.<br />

As obstructions on maps are described by <strong>the</strong>ir height AMSL, <strong>the</strong> QNH setting allows <strong>the</strong> pilot to establish that<br />

terrain clearance exists. QFE may be used for landing. This may be different from <strong>the</strong> QFE that was used at<br />

take-<strong>of</strong>f.<br />

an aircraft at FL 350 is 35 000 feet above ISA MSL. Ano<strong>the</strong>r aircraft at FL 340 would<br />

always be 1000 feet lower whatever <strong>the</strong> atmospheric conditions. Very few helicopter<br />

operations take place in airways, although as tilt-rotor and tilt-wing machines enter<br />

service this will change.<br />

It should be noted that helicopter altimeters only sense local atmospheric pressure<br />

when <strong>the</strong> rotors are not turning. In <strong>the</strong> hover, especially in ground effect, <strong>the</strong> pressure<br />

under <strong>the</strong> rotor disc will be appreciably above ambient. Going from flat pitch on <strong>the</strong><br />

ground to a low hover will result in a noticeable reduction in <strong>the</strong> reading on <strong>the</strong> altimeter,<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> order <strong>of</strong> 30 feet. <strong>The</strong> effect is negligible in translational flight.

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