What are the minimum requirements for parking the aircraft?

What are the minimum requirements for parking the aircraft?

• A. Parking brake must be set and tail-wheel locked.
• B. Parking surface must be dry and free of obstructions.
• C. Rotor break or gust lock, wheel breaks set, mains chalked, and tail-wheel locked.
• D. Mains chalked and rotor blades secured.

Answer: (C)

When parking a helicopter, the goal is to prevent any movement on the ground and to keep the rotor from turning in gusts or wind. The minimum setup that achieves this includes four coordinated actions. First, secure the rotor to prevent it from rotating. This is done with a rotor brake or a gust lock so the blades cannot windmill if a gust hits or if there’s a slight movement during handling. Without this restraint, the rotor could turn and strike the ground or damage the aircraft. Second, apply the main wheel brakes. Engaging the brakes keeps the helicopter from rolling forward or backward if there’s any slope, wind, or inadvertent throttle movement. Third, place wheel chocks on the main landing gear. Chocks physically block the wheels, providing a positive visible barrier against any potential roll. Fourth, lock the tail wheel. Locking the tail wheel prevents the tail from shifting or the aircraft from pivoting around the main gear, which helps stop sideways movement and stabilizes the helicopter in windy conditions. These four elements together cover rotor restraint, ground movement prevention, and tail stability. The other options omit one of these essential parts—for example, neglecting the rotor restraint leaves the rotor vulnerable to wind or handling moves, and skipping wheel brakes or chocks allows possible movement even if the rotor is secured.

When parking a helicopter, the goal is to prevent any movement on the ground and to keep the rotor from turning in gusts or wind. The minimum setup that achieves this includes four coordinated actions.

First, secure the rotor to prevent it from rotating. This is done with a rotor brake or a gust lock so the blades cannot windmill if a gust hits or if there’s a slight movement during handling. Without this restraint, the rotor could turn and strike the ground or damage the aircraft.

Second, apply the main wheel brakes. Engaging the brakes keeps the helicopter from rolling forward or backward if there’s any slope, wind, or inadvertent throttle movement.

Third, place wheel chocks on the main landing gear. Chocks physically block the wheels, providing a positive visible barrier against any potential roll.

Fourth, lock the tail wheel. Locking the tail wheel prevents the tail from shifting or the aircraft from pivoting around the main gear, which helps stop sideways movement and stabilizes the helicopter in windy conditions.

These four elements together cover rotor restraint, ground movement prevention, and tail stability. The other options omit one of these essential parts—for example, neglecting the rotor restraint leaves the rotor vulnerable to wind or handling moves, and skipping wheel brakes or chocks allows possible movement even if the rotor is secured.