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SFAR 73 Explained

What is required to act as PIC in a Robinson can be confusing. Here we have the SFAR explained as clearly as possible.

Student Pilots - What you need...

Prior to manipulating R22/44 controls - Awareness training - 1st endorsement

Pre-Solo

SFAR Flight Training within preceeding 90 days
20 hours dual
Awareness Training - recommended - 2nd endorsement

Prior to acting as PIC

SFAR Flight Training
Awareness Training - recommended

Existing Pilots - What you need...

R22 Checkouts: Awareness Training prior to manipulating the controls then...

Pilots less than 200 hours total helicopter / 50 hours R22

SFAR Flight Training
10 hours dual instruction
Special Annual flight review in an R22

Pilots with more than 200hr total helicopter / 50 hours R22

Biennial flight review in an R22

R44 Checkouts: Awareness Training prior to manipulating the controls then...

Pilots less than 200 hours total helicopter / 50 hours R44 (25 hrs R22 can be credited to the 50hr requirement)

SFAR Flight Training
10 hours dual instruction in a Robinson Helicopter
5 hours dual instruction in an R44
Special Annual flight review in an R44

Pilots less than 200 hours total helicopter / 50 hours R44 (25 hrs R22 can be credited to the 50hr requirement)

Biennial flight review in an R44

To act as instructor

200 hours total with 50 hrs R22 or R44
Endorsement from authorized DPE or FAA Inspector
Awareness Training/Flight Training

SFAR 73 Text

1. Applicability.

Under the procedures prescribed herein, this SFAR applies to all persons who seek to manipulate the controls or act as pilot in command of a Robinson model R-22 or R-44 helicopter. The requirements stated in this SFAR are in addition to the current requirements of part 61.

2. Required training, aeronautical experience, endorsements, and flight review.

Awareness Training:

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, no person may manipulate the controls of a Robinson model R-22 or R-44 helicopter after March 27, 1995, for the purpose of flight unless the awareness training specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section is completed and the person's logbook has been endorsed by a certified flight instructor authorized under paragraph (b)(5) of this section.

(2) A person who holds a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating on that person's pilot certificate and meets the experience requirements of paragraph (b)(1) or paragraph (b)(2) of this section may not manipulate the controls of a Robinson model R-22 or R-44 helicopter for the purpose of flight after April 26, 1995, unless the awareness training specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section is completed and the person's logbook has been endorsed by a certified flight instructor authorized under paragraph (b)(5) of this section.

(3) Awareness training must be conducted by a certified flight instructor who has been endorsed under paragraph (b)(5) of this section and consists of instruction in the following general subject areas:

(ii) Mast bumping;
(iii) Low rotor RPM (blade stall);
(iv) Low G hazards; and
(v) Rotor RPM decay.

(4) A person who can show satisfactory completion of the manufacturer's safety course after January 1, 1994, may obtain an endorsement from an FAA aviation safety inspector in lieu of completing the awareness training required in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section.

(b) Aeronautical Experience:

(1) No person may act as pilot in command of a Robinson model R-22 unless that person:

(i) Has had at least 200 flight hours in helicopters, at least 50 flight hours of which were in the Robinson R-22; or

(ii) Has had at least 10 hours dual instruction in the Robinson R-22 and has received an endorsement from a certified flight instructor authorized under paragraph (b)(5) of this section that the individual has been given the training required by this paragraph and is proficient to act as pilot in command of an R-22. Beginning 12 calendar months after the date of the endorsement, the individual may not act as pilot in command unless the individual has completed a flight review in an R-22 within the preceding 12 calendar months and obtained an endorsement for that flight review. The dual instruction must include at least the following abnormal and emergency procedures flight training:

(A) Enhanced training in autorotation procedures,
(B) Engine rotor RPM control without the use of the governor,
(C) Low rotor RPM recognition and recovery, and
(D) Effects of low G maneuvers and proper recovery procedures.

(2) No person may act as pilot in command of a Robinson R-44 unless that person --

(i) Has had at least 200 flight hours in helicopters, at least 50 flight hours of which were in the Robinson R-44. The pilot in command may credit up to 25 flight hours in the Robinson R-22 toward the 50 hour requirement in the Robinson R-44; or

(ii) Has had at least 10 hours dual instruction in a Robinson helicopter, at least 5 hours of which must have been accomplished in the Robinson R-44 helicopter and has received an endorsement from a certified flight instructor authorized under paragraph (b)(5) of this section that the individual has been given the training required by this paragraph and is proficient to act as pilot in command of an R-44. Beginning 12 calendar months after the date of the endorsement, the individual may not act as pilot in command unless the individual has completed a flight review in a Robinson R-44 within the preceding 12 calendar months and obtained an endorsement for that flight review. The dual instruction must include at least the following abnormal and emergency procedures flight training --

(A) Enhanced training in autorotation procedures;
(B) Engine rotor RPM control without the use of the governor;
(C) Low rotor RPM recognition and recovery; and
(D) Effects of low G maneuvers and proper recovery procedures.

(3) A person who does not hold a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating must have had at least 20 hours of dual instruction in a Robinson R-22 helicopter prior to operating it in solo flight. In addition, the person must obtain an endorsement from a certified flight instructor authorized under paragraph (b)(5) of this section that instruction has been given in those maneuvers and procedures, and the instructor has found the applicant proficient to solo a Robinson R-22. This endorsement is valid for a period of 90 days. The dual instruction must include at least the following abnormal and emergency procedures flight training:

(i) Enhanced training in autorotation procedures,
(ii) Engine rotor RPM control without the use of the governor,
(iii) Low rotor RPM recognition and recovery, and
(iv) Effects of low G maneuvers and proper recovery procedures.

(4) A person who does not hold a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating must have had at least 20 hours of dual instruction in a Robinson R-44 helicopter prior to operating it in solo flight. In addition, the person must obtain an endorsement from a certified flight instructor authorized under paragraph (b)(5) of this section that instruction has been given in those maneuvers and procedures, and the instructor has found the applicant proficient to solo a Robinson R-44. This endorsement is valid for a period of 90 days. The dual instruction must include at least the following abnormal and emergency procedures flight training:

(i) Enhanced training in autorotation procedures,
(ii) Engine rotor RPM control without the use of the governor,
(iii) Low rotor RPM recognition and recovery, and
(iv) Effects of low G maneuvers and proper recovery procedures.

(5) No certificated flight instructor may provide instruction or conduct a flight review in a Robinson R-22 or R-44 unless that instructor --

(i) Completes the awareness training in paragraph 2(a) of this SFAR.

(ii) For the Robinson R-22, has had at least 200 flight hours in helicopters, at least 50 flight hours of which were in the Robinson R-22, or for the Robinson R-44, has had at least 200 flight hours in helicopters, 50 flight hours of which were in Robinson helicopters. Up to 25 flight hours of Robinson R-22 flight time may be credited toward the 50 hour requirement.

(iii) Has completed flight training in a Robinson R-22, R-44, or both, on the following abnormal and emergency procedures

(A) Enhanced training in autorotation procedures;
(B) Engine rotor RPM control without the use of the governor;
(C) Low rotor RPM recognition and recovery; and
(D) Effects of low G maneuvers and proper recovery procedures.

(iv) Has been authorized by endorsement from an FAA aviation safety inspector or authorized designated examiner that the instructor has completed the appropriate training, meets the experience requirements and has satisfactorily demonstrated an ability to provide instruction on the general subject areas of paragraph 2(a)(3) of this SFAR, and the flight training identified in paragraph 2(b)(5)(iii) of this SFAR.

(1) No flight review completed to satisfy §61.56 by an individual after becoming eligible to function as pilot in command in a Robinson R-22 helicopter shall be valid for the operation of R-22 helicopter unless that flight review was taken in an R-22.

(2) No flight review completed to satisfy §61.56 by individual after becoming eligible to function as pilot in command in a Robinson R-44 helicopter shall be valid for the operation of R-44 helicopter unless that flight review was taken in the R-44.

(3) The flight review will include a review of the awareness training subject areas of paragraph 2(a)(3) of this SFAR and the flight training identified in paragraph 2(b) of this SFAR.

(d) Currency Requirements:

No person may act as pilot in command of a Robinson model R-22 or R-44 helicopter carrying passengers unless the pilot in command has met the recency of flight experience requirements of §61.57 in an R-22 or R-44, as appropriate.

Endorsements

Awareness Training Endorsement SFAR 73
I certify that ________________has received the Awareness Training required by SFAR 73 paragraph 2 (a) (3) (i-v) for the Robinson R22(or R44) on date___________.

Endorsement for R22 - Pilots not holding Rotorcraft rating
I certify that _______________meets the experience requirements of 2(b)(3) and has been given training specified by SFAR 73 paragraph 2(b)(3)(i-iii). The pilot has been found proficient to solo the R22.
Endorsement for R44 - Pilots not holding Rotorcraft rating
I certify that _______________meets the experience requirements of 2(b)(3) and has been given training specified by SFAR 73 paragraph 2(b)(4)(i-iii). The pilot has been found proficient to solo the R44.

Endorsement for R22 - Pilots who do not have 200 flight hours helicopter/50 flight hours Robinson R22 SFAR 73
I certify that _______________has been given training specified by SFAR 73 (2)(b)(1)(ii)(A-D) for the Robinson R22 aircraft and is proficient to act as a pilot in command. An annual flight review must be completed unless the requirements of SFAR 73 (2) (b)(1)(i) are met.

Endorsement for R44 - Pilots who do not have 200 flight hours helicopter/50 flight hours Robinson R22 SFAR 73
I certify that _______________has been given training specified by SFAR 73 (2)(b)(2)(ii)(A-D) for the Robinson R44 aircraft and is proficient to act as a pilot in command. An annual flight review must be completed unless the requirements of SFAR 73 (2) (b)(2)(i) are met.

Flight Review - R22
Mr/Ms ____________________ holder of ______________ Pilot Certificate Number ___________, has satisfactorily completed the Flight Review required by FAR 61.56 and SFAR73, Section 2(c)(1) and (3) in an R22 on __________________.

Flight Review - R44
Mr/Ms ____________________ holder of ______________ Pilot Certificate Number ___________, has satisfactorily completed the Flight Review required by FAR 61.56 and SFAR73, Section 2(c)(2) and (3) in an R44 on __________________.

Flight Instructor
I certify that ________________________, holder of Flight Instructor Certificate Number_______________, meets the experience requirements and has completed the flight training specified by Section 2(b)(5)(i-iii)(A-D), and has demonstrated an ability to provide instruction on the general subject areas of Section 2(a)(3) and the flight training identified in Section 2(b)(5)(iii) in a Robinson ____ helicopter.

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What is an SFAR?

Known as the "Robinson SFAR," Special Federal Aviation Regulation 73 took effect in 1995 to address safety concerns about the operation of those aircraft by inexperienced pilots. It imposes training requirements beyond the general ones stipulated in FAR Part 61. SFAR 73 has been credited with eliminating accidents and improving the safety records of both aircraft.
The rule requires special awareness training covering energy management, mast bumping, low rotor rpm/blade stall, low-g hazards and rotor rpm decay.