R22 and R44 SFAR 73     Annual Flight Review      Biennial Flight Review (BFR) 

High quality, professional flight reviews – be a better pilot!  Call us at 410-491-4354, or email

Our review includes a minimum of 3 hours of ground training covering the following training subjects:

• SFAR 73 Required Awareness Review
• Energy Management 
• Mast Bumping 
• Low Rotor RPM (Blade Stall) 
• Low G Hazards and Recovery 
• Rotor RPM Decay, Recognition, and Recovery 
• FAR Part 91 Review of current general operating procedures and flight rules 
• Individual Minimums PAVE Checklist Review
  

Aircraft  –  EnViroment  – External Pressure – Airspace Review – Review of DC Special Flight Rules Area and Procedures (Does not replace required FAA Online Training)  – Emergency Procedures review – Cross country flight planning

Pilots who complete a flight review with Monumental Helicopters within the last 6 months are eligible to rent our helicopters for personal use. After 6 months a check out ride is required.

Expect a minimum of 1.5 hrs of flight time in our R22 or R44 for your Annual Flight Review and Biennial Flight Review (BFR) – we cover the following subjects and flight standards:

◦Enhanced training in autorotation procedures
◦Engine rotor RPM control without the use of the governor
◦Low rotor RPM recognition and recovery
◦Pilot completion of flight maneuvers (PTS standards as applicable to held pilot rating) necessary for safe exercise of your rating
◦Cross county flight performance

If you have not flown a helicopter recently, you should anticipate needing approximately 3 hours of flight time to be up to PTS standards for your rating. A flight review is a performance based event, not a pencil whipped checklist.

Please review these FAQs…

Part 61.56 requires only 1 hour of ground and 1 hour of flight. Why do you require so much ground and flight time during a flight review?

A review of SFAR 73 required awareness training alone takes an hour, and we still have to cover Part 91 operating procedures and flight rules. We have found most pilots are able to cover the required material in 3 hours and feel much better about their knowledge of applicable regulations. With the flight training, there are a lot of maneuvers to cover for safe operation of the helicopter, and the emergency procedures take at least a half hour. Most pilots have to “knock off some rust” before they are back up to standards for their rating. Typically, the only individuals who complete the review in an hour of ground and flight are CFIs who are regularly exercising their instructor privileges, or pilots who fly several times a month in a part 91 or 135 commercial environment.

I participate in the FAA Wings program, doesn’t that credit count as a flight review towards part 61.56?

You know your regulations!  While your participation in the wings program is truly beneficial to you as a pilot, the Wings program does not cover the SFAR 73 required training. The instructor who signed off your Wings practical flights should be able to also cover any SFAR 73 training and provide an Flight Review endorsement.

What should I do to prepare for my flight review? Excellent question!

If you haven’t already done so, you should complete the DC SFRA training  required for flights within 60 NM of the DCA VOR. We also recommend starting with AOPA online courses in the following subjects (An AOPA Login is required):

◦Airspace Review

◦Radio Procedures

◦Weather Wise: VFR into IMC

◦Flying the Weather: Airframe Icing

◦Weather Wise: Thunderstorms and ATC

◦Runway Safety

If you are registered for Wings, most of the programs count for wings credit as well. Bring along your completion certificates to present to your instructor.

Can I bring my own helicopter to conduct a flight review?

Absolutely! We can provide instructors at a rate of $35 an hour for the R22 and $50 an hour for the R44. Ground training is conducted at $35 an hour. Your aircraft should have a current annual and applicable ADs. Our instructors are also able to come to you with appropriate compensation for travel expenses or lodging, depending on your location.