Definition
An autorotation performed while the helicopter is in a turn, used to reposition the aircraft toward a suitable landing area after a power loss. The pilot maintains rotor RPM within limits while banking, balancing the increased rate of descent and rotor loading that occur in the turn against the need to align with a landing spot.
Plain English
It is a power-off helicopter descent done while turning, so the pilot can steer toward a place to land. The rotor keeps spinning from the air flowing up through it, even while the aircraft is banked.
Context Anchor
Used in helicopter emergency-procedure training when practicing how to reach a suitable landing area after a loss of engine power.
Derivation
“Turning” comes from the ordinary idea of changing direction. “Autorotation” comes from “auto,” meaning self, and “rotation,” meaning turning; in aviation it describes a rotor that keeps turning because of airflow rather than engine power.
Why Pilots Care
Practicing turning autorotations builds the ability to align with a runway or into the wind during an actual engine failure, improving landing options and safety margins.
Grounding Statement
Picture the helicopter descending toward a field while the pilot gently turns it to face the landing direction, with the rotor kept spinning by the upward flow of air.
Intuition Check
Do not read “turning autorotation” as a normal powered turn. The helicopter is turning while in autorotation, with the rotor driven by airflow rather than normal engine power.
Example Sentence 1
When the engine quit on downwind, the instructor demonstrated a turning autorotation to line the helicopter up with the runway.
Example Sentence 2
During the checkride the examiner requested a turning autorotation from downwind to practice precise heading control.