0019 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:
60 Knots Indicated Air Speed (KIAS)
60 KIAS
Maximum Bank Angle:
25 Degrees
20 Degrees
Maximum Rate-of-Climb
1750 Feet Per Minute (FPM)
1000 FPM
Maximum Rate-of-Descent
2000 Feet Per Minute (FPM)
3000 FPM
Drogue Chute
Optional
Optional
WARNING
Once the disabled helicopter is connected to the
recovery helicopter and lifted to a hover, the pitch
attitude of the disabled helicopter must be checked to
ensure a nose down attitude is achieved.
A disabled 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 disabled 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 disabled helicopter, hard
landing of the disabled helicopter following recovery,
UMARK component failure, or exceeding the flight
parameters. Report any unusual occurrences to the
unit responsible for the disabled helicopter.
Exceeding the flight parameters may severely damage
the main rotor assembly of the disabled helicopter,
requiring component replacement. Report the amount
and duration of any flight parameter exceeded to the
unit responsible for the disabled helicopter.
The height above ground level may be difficult to
determine during low-level UMARK operations due to
the length of the sling system. Flight crews should
exercise extreme caution during recovery operations
to ensure the disabled helicopter remains clear of
ground obstacles.
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