0018 00
TM 1-1670-260-12&P
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3. RECOVERY FLIGHT PARAMETERS AND PRECAUTIONS
Flight parameters for the applicable recovery helicopter are specified in Table 1.
Table 1. Recovery Helicopter Flight Parameters
Parameter
CH-47 Recovery Helicopter
UH-60 Recovery Helicopter
Maximum Airspeed:
30 Knots Indicated Air Speed (KIAS)
30 KIAS
Maximum Bank Angle:
20 Degrees
20 Degrees
Maximum Rate-of-Climb
1000 Feet Per Minute (FPM)
1000 FPM
Maximum Rate-of-Descent
1000 Feet Per Minute (FPM)
1000 FPM
Drogue Chute
Optional (See Note Below)
Optional (See Note Below)
Maximum Allowable Vertical Load
Factor
2g’s (See Note Below)
2g’s (See Note Below)
Note: The maximum allowable load factor of 2g’s is not measurable by the crew; therefore it shall be assumed
that the maximum vertical load factor has been exceeded during an OH-58 aerial recovery and that a post
recovery inspection shall be performed.
WARNING
Once the damaged helicopter is connected to the
recovery helicopter and lifted to a hover, the pitch
attitude of the damaged helicopter must be checked to
ensure a nose down attitude is achieved.
Pitch and roll variations that exceed the OH-58D’s –10
degree slope landing and take-off will result in the
helicopter exceeding lifting parameters, requiring
inspections in accordance with the applicable
technical manual.
A damaged helicopter may rotate while in a hover. This
rotation may cause slings of some UMARK rigging
configurations to twist or to tighten at the main rotor
assembly. The rotation will generally stop as airspeed is
increased to approximately 5 to 10 knots. The recovery
helicopter flight crew should minimize hover time.
If oscillations of damaged helicopter develop during
flight, tests have shown that lowering airspeed,
returning to wings level flight, and initiating a climb
has a stabilizing effect.
It is critical for the recovery helicopter flight crew to
report any unusual occurrences. For example, vertical
bounce, severe jerking of the damaged helicopter,
hard landing of the damaged helicopter following
recovery, UMARK component failure, or exceeding the
flight parameters. Report any unusual occurrences to
the unit responsible for the damaged helicopter.
0018 00-2
