NORMAL CLIMB
The entry into a climb from a hover has already been discussed under “Normal Takeoff from a Hover;” therefore, this discussion is limited to a climb entry from cruising flight.
 
 

TECHNIQUE
To enter a climb from cruising flight, apply aft cyclic to obtain the approximate climb attitude. Simultaneously increase the collective and throttle to obtain climb power and maintain r.p.m. In a counterclockwise rotor system, increase the left antitorque pedal pressure to compensate for the increased torque. As the airspeed approaches normal climb airspeed, adjust the cyclic to hold this airspeed. Throughout the maneuver, maintain climb attitude, heading, and airspeed with the cyclic; climb power and r.p.m. with the collective and throttle; and longitudinal trim with the antitorque pedals.
To level off from a climb, start adjusting the attitude to the level flight attitude a few feet prior to reaching the desired altitude. The amount of lead depends on the rate of climb at the time of level-off (the higher the rate of climb, the more the lead). Generally, the lead is 10 percent of the climb rate. For example, if your climb rate is 500 feet per minute, you should lead the level-off by 50 feet.
 

To begin the level-off, apply forward cyclic to adjust and maintain a level flight attitude, which is slightly nose low. You should maintain climb power until the airspeed approaches the desired cruising airspeed, then lower the collective to obtain cruising power and adjust the throttle to obtain and maintain cruising r.p.m. Throughout the level-off, maintain longitudinal trim and heading with the antitorque pedals.
COMMON ERRORS
1 Failure to maintain proper power and airspeed.
2 Holding too much or too little antitorque pedal.
3 In the level-off, decreasing power before lowering the nose to cruising attitude.

NORMAL DESCENT
A normal descent is a maneuver in which the helicopter loses altitude at a controlled rate in a controlled attitude.
TECHNIQUE
To establish a normal descent from straight-and-level flight at cruising airspeed, lower the collective to obtain proper power, adjust the throttle to maintain r.p.m., and increase right antitorque pedal pressure to maintain heading in a counterclockwise rotor system, or left pedal pressure in a clockwise system. If cruising airspeed is the same as, or slightly above descending airspeed, simultaneously apply the necessary cyclic pressure to obtain the approximate descending attitude. If cruising speed is well above descending airspeed, you can maintain a level flight attitude until the airspeed approaches the descending airspeed, then lower the nose to the descending attitude. Throughout the maneuver, maintain descending attitude and airspeed with the cyclic; descending power and r.p.m. with the collective and throttle; and heading with the antitorque pedals.