Seems like a bad idea to have instructors that have not
actually demonstrated a spin (for airplanes), or a touchdown
auto (heli's). I went to talk by the founder of Silver
State helicopters, and he mentioned that they had wrecked
two R-22s in one week practicing touchdown auto's when the
outside air temperature was hot, and the density altitude
was high. It could be that the FAA is responding to
pressure from the flight schools that touchdown autos are
too dangerous to their equipment.

Don W.

Ol Shy & Bashful wrote:
Now that touchdown autorotations are no longer required or even
demonstrated for CFI applicants, nor are FAA inspectors going to do
them, is the general proficiency for autorotations going down the tubes
by FAA mandate?
I seeeee.......a new CFI isn't required to show any-ANY proficiency in
a full on auto so they will be unable to teach something that has the
FAA scared to death. How is that going to bode for new helicopter
pilots? Hmmmmm?
A new batch of helicopter pilots that are not able to do some of the
most important and perhaps critical flight manuevers and yet are going
to be hauling unwitting and unsuspecting passengers.
Is there something wrong with this picture? Does it rank right in there
with only demonstrating an approach to a spin without actually
experiencing one and then go teach the same flawed philosophy?
I can see lots of tailbooms being chopped off in the next couple
years...
Comments anyone?
Rocky