Starting the Engine

# Learn how to fly a Robinson R22 helicopter with Captain David Dixon

In this comprehensive video series, Captain David Dixon teaches the basics of flying a Robinson R22 helicopter through nine lessons. Whether you are a beginner or looking to improve your skills, this video series will guide you on understanding the three primary controls of the R22 helicopter.

Firstly, the cyclic stick is mounted centrally in the helicopter, with a t-bar that’s free to teeter up and down. This stick controls the direction of movement by tilting the swash plate, causing the cyclic feathering movement. Fore and aft movement of the stick causes the helicopter to pitch nose up or nose down, while left or right movement makes the helicopter roll to the left or right.

Next is the collective lever, which increases or decreases the pitch on the blades by the same amount at the same time. Situated on the end of the collective lever is a twist grip throttle. Lowering the lever decreases the pitch on the blades, while raising the lever increases the pitch on the blades.

Finally, there are the anti-torque pedals, which control the pitch on the tail rotor. Captain David Dixon also takes you through the startup process, with a clear explanation on the area clearance, throttle settings, switches, and power settings.

This video series is brought to you by [Harramed.com](https://www.harramed.com/), a leading platform for aviation enthusiasts. Join us and learn how to fly a Robinson R22 helicopter with ease and confidence.

**Keywords/Tags:** R22 helicopter, flying lessons, Captain David Dixon, Harramed, aviation enthusiasts, cyclic stick, collective lever, anti-torque pedals, startup process

**Transcript:**

> Whilst the aircraft is sitting on the ground, let’s have a look at the three primary controls. The first control being the cyclic stick mounted centrally in the Robinson R22, with the t-bar that’s free to teeter up and down. Passing control from the instructor to the student, movement of the cyclic stick causes the swash plate to tilt, which in turn causes cyclic feathering movement. Fore and aft movement causes the aircraft to pitch nose up or nose down, while left or right movement causes the aircraft to roll to the left or right.
>
> The next control is the collective lever, which increases or decreases the pitch on the blades by the same amount at the same time. Situated on the end of the collective lever is a twist grip throttle. Lowering the lever will decrease the pitch on the blades, while raising the lever will increase the pitch on the blades.
>
> Finally, we have the anti-torque pedals, which control the pitch on the tail rotor. Now for the startup, tetra master on, throttle closed, area clear all the way around, and switches to start. Then, all pressure up warning, my power setting with the throttle 55 to 60%, engine rpm that’s engaged touch like an alternator on, alternator warning lighthouse strove on, nav lights on.

**Sources:**

Source: [Harramed.com](https://www.harramed.com/)

Captain David Dixon giving basic lessons in flying a Robinson R22 helicopter. Lessons 1 – 9.
Exercise 1.David Dixon