PLT217: Quick Stop Maneuver
What code PLT217 covers, why the FAA tests it, and how to study Quick Stop Maneuver before your checkride.
Recall flight maneuvers - quick stop
What this means for your checkride
The rapid deceleration or quick stop is used to slow from forward flight to a hover, for example to abort a takeoff or terminate an air taxi. Even though it is called a quick stop, it is performed slowly and smoothly with the primary emphasis on coordination of all controls. The pilot initiates the deceleration by applying aft cyclic to reduce forward groundspeed while simultaneously lowering the collective as necessary to counteract the climbing tendency. It is practiced into the wind at an altitude high enough to protect the tail rotor during the flare yet low enough to stay out of the height velocity diagram hazard areas.
The maneuver demonstrates coordinated use of cyclic and collective and is a standard practical test task.
Applying aft cyclic too rapidly causes the helicopter to balloon, and lowering collective without aft cyclic fails to maintain altitude.
Where to study it
A code on your test report is an area of deficiency. An authorized instructor must review it with you and endorse that review before you take the practical test, and the examiner may revisit it during the oral. Study it until you can explain it out loud, not just recognize the answer.