Vuichard develops new autorotation technique

The Vuichard Recovery Aviation Safety Foundation has released a video showing a new autorotation technique developed by Swiss pilot and aviation safety advocate Claude Vuichard.
In a news release accompanying the video - which was recorded during a training week in Hawaii - Vuichard said his technique “pre-loads” the rotor disc to provide the best energy managment.
“The entire flare is much less accentuated (only maximum 15 degrees nose-up) compared to the conventional techniques, and takes place practically in slow motion,” said Vuichard.
He said that with a conventional flare at the end of an autorotation, there is usually an increase in the aircraft’s sink rate during the level-off phase. Comparatively, with Vuichard’s technique, “the entire flare phase is much less hectic,” he said. “The sink rate is constantly reduced.”
He said the technique works over a wide speed range and can also be used on slopes and uneven terrain.