TM  1-1520-240-10 8-2-14            Takeoff over water. Takeoff over water is begun from a hover height of approximately 30 feet. Align the helicopter with  the  desired  takeoff  course  at  a  stabilized  hover  or approximately 30 feet, or an altitude permitting safe ob- stacle clearance. Smoothly apply forward cyclic pressure to level the helicopter and begin acceleration into Effective Translational Lift (ETL). Control rate of acceleration and direction of flight with cyclic and altitude with thrust. As the aircraft accelerates through ETL, establish a pitch attitude and apply thrust that will result in a simultaneous gain in altitude and airspeed. Continuous coordinated application of control pressures is necessary to maintain trim, heading, flight path, airspeed, and rate of climb. 8-2-27.  Slingload.   Refer to Aircrew Training Manual (ATM). 8-2-28.   Climb. Refer to chapter 7 for recommended airspeeds, power settings, and fuel flow. 8-2-29.  Cruise Check. CAUTION Radar altitude (RAD ALT) hold can only be used in forward flight over water, it cannot be used in forward flight over terrain. CAUTION Large pitch inputs will result in rapid gain or loss of altitude. If altitude hold is on, an over-torque  condition  can  occur  during large  pitch-down  inputs.  Monitor  thrust control  movement  and  torquemeter  dur- ing airspeed changes. Also, when operat- ing with altitude hold, limit bank angles to 45 degrees maximum. An excessive bank angle may result in an altitude loss, and if operating at a high gross weight, an over- torque condition. * 1.   AFCS Control Panel — As required. F* 2.   Ramp   area   —   The   ramp   area   must   be checked every 30 minutes of flight. * 3.   Fuel Consumption — Check. 8-2-30.  DESCENT. Refer to Chapter 7 for power requirements at selected airspeeds and rates of descent. 8-2-31.  Before Landing. The  following  checks  must  be  accomplished  prior  to landing: * 1.   Systems — Check indications of the follow- ing: a.   Rotor. b.   Torque. c.    Engine. d.   Transmission. e.   Fuel. f. 712 Master caution panel. g. 714A Caution/Advisor Panel. * 2.   PARKING BRAKE — As required. * 3.   AFCS control panel — Check as follows: a.   AFCS  HDG  and  ALT  switches  as  re- quired. b.   CYCLIC TRIM switches as required. c.    AFCS selector switch as required. F* 4.   Crew, passengers, and mission equipment — Check. * 5.   Searchlight — As required. 8-2-32.   Landing. Refer to Aircrew Training Manual (ATM). 8-2-33.  Landing from a Hover to Water. Prior to landing, the PITOT HEAT switch must be ON. The ramp, lower half of the cabin door, lower rescue door, and  drain  plugs  must  be  closed.  Landing/searchlights shall  be  retracted.  From  a  stabilized  hover,  decrease thrust for a smooth rate of descent. A vertical descent, rather than a descent with some forward movement, will tend to disperse the swirling water spray under a no-wind condition. As the aft wheels and then the fuselage near the water, continue to lower the thrust control to ground detent. As more of the fuselage enters the water, buoyan- cy will level the helicopter attitude.