Helicopter Flying Handbook: FAA-H-8083-21B

by Federal Aviation Administration

FAA Helicopter Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-21B. This handbook supersedes FAA-H-8083-21A, Helicopter Flying Handbook, dated 2012. Gyroplane information can be found in the FAA-H-8083-20, Gyroplane Flying Handbook.
Printed in Color.
Released in 2019, for use in 2026.

The Helicopter Flying Handbook is designed as a technical manual for applicants who are preparing for their private,
commercial, or flight instructor pilot certificates with a helicopter class rating. Certificated flight instructors may find
this handbook a valuable training aid, since detailed coverage of aerodynamics, flight controls, systems, performance,
flight maneuvers, emergencies, and aeronautical decision-making is included. Topics such as weather, navigation, radio
navigation and communications, use of flight information publications, and regulations are available in other Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) publications.

Genres: Aviation, Nonfiction

202 pages, Paperback

First published May 26, 2000

Reviews

[gastrointestinalissues{🆓🇵🇸}{he~him} · Rating 1 out of 5]

instructions unclear; ï am now stuck in the fuel tank.

[Yousseif Abdellatif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not gonna lie, I rolled my eyes at the premise of Rotorcraft Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21) - For Gyroplane Use Only and then got totally sucked in. FAA has this knack for making tiny stakes feel huge, like a fight over a borrowed jacket that turns into a fight about everything. By the end I was low-key invested in people I'd have avoided at a party. Pacing drags a bit around the halfway mark, but it picks back up. Read it if you like quiet, character-heavy drama. Skip it if you need action to stay awake.

[Yousseif Abdellatif · Rating 3 out of 5]

The vibe in Rotorcraft Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21) - For Gyroplane Use Only was completely off for me at first, all sarcasm and zero heart. Then FAA drops one quiet scene that rewires everything before it, and I forgave a lot. Worth it for slow-reveal fans, a pass if you need to connect right away.

[rabbitprincess · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives the reader a solid chunk of knowledge that would help those beginning their flying careers or a quick overview of certain specifics for pilots.

[Anne Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is your typical FAA manual. Having spent time as a flight instructor, I'd say that's about the most accurate way to put it. As an editor, I found some editing problems (for instance, on page 1-4, the last line is repeated in the paragraph on rotor configurations, and in the first paragraph in Chapter 2, the description of what is seen in Figure 2-1 is not in accord with what Figure 2-1 actually shows). Another thing I found a bit disconcerting was the use of terms that had not been defined, and even references to parts of the helicopter that are never shown in a diagram.

But, those in the know also know that the contents of this book are what the FAA bases their knowledge test upon, so if you're planning on learning to fly a helicopter, it's a good idea to own this book.