What is the second Bold Face step in the Big 4?

What is the second Bold Face step in the Big 4?

• A. NR
• B. AIRSPEED/ALTITUDE
• C. WHEELS/FLOATS
• D. ANALYZE

Answer: (B)

Establishing proper airspeed and altitude is prioritized because it directly affects your ability to control the helicopter and manage energy in abnormal situations. The Big 4 are ordered to restore safe flight quickly, so after recognizing a deviation, you first ensure you have a stable energy state and enough margin to maneuver. Setting the correct airspeed and altitude gives you the control authority to respond to further changes, prevents rotor/engine limits from being exceeded, and keeps options open for whatever comes next, including landing or autorotation if needed. Configuring wheels or floats comes after you’ve secured stable flight, because changing the landing gear setup without reliable airspeed and altitude can complicate control and increase risk. Analyzing the situation is important, but it’s most effective once basic control and energy state are stabilized; you don’t want to be paralyzed by analysis while you’re trying to regain safe flight.

Establishing proper airspeed and altitude is prioritized because it directly affects your ability to control the helicopter and manage energy in abnormal situations. The Big 4 are ordered to restore safe flight quickly, so after recognizing a deviation, you first ensure you have a stable energy state and enough margin to maneuver. Setting the correct airspeed and altitude gives you the control authority to respond to further changes, prevents rotor/engine limits from being exceeded, and keeps options open for whatever comes next, including landing or autorotation if needed.

Configuring wheels or floats comes after you’ve secured stable flight, because changing the landing gear setup without reliable airspeed and altitude can complicate control and increase risk. Analyzing the situation is important, but it’s most effective once basic control and energy state are stabilized; you don’t want to be paralyzed by analysis while you’re trying to regain safe flight.