Dealing with Brownout: Environmental, Mechanical, and Training Solutions
Abstract
Today Marines find themselves operating increasingly in desert environments. These environments pose a great deal of problems for the operating forces. Helicopter crews are particularly concerned with brownout conditions. Brownout can occur during the takeoff or landing phase of flight when the rotorwash generated downward from the helicopter picks up loose sand and dust. These airborne particulates can cause the pilot to lose visual acuity with the ground. An unintentional drift may develop causing the aircraft to strike an obstacle or hit the ground with excessive rate of descent or airspeed. Although many aspects of helicopter flight can be performed using only an instrument scan, landing and hovering cannot. Hovering requires an active outside scan and a visual ground reference. Helicopter operations such as externals, fastroping, and rappelling require the aircraft to maintain a hover for extended periods of time, making the aircrew particularly susceptible to brownout. In fiscal year 2002, 6 of the Army's 26 Class A mishaps were caused by brownout or whiteout conditions. Obviously, good piloting skills will prevent many brownout mishaps, but more steps need to be taken. The problem of brownout can never be fully eliminated; however, a smart application of environmental, mechanical, and training assets and practices will mitigate the risk and preserve personnel and equipment to fight another day.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 08, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA505543
Entities
People
- J. C. Luttmann
Organizations
- Marine Corps University