Wind Movement Helicopter Heading Ground Track Helicopter side movement Wind movement Ground Reference Maneuvers Normal Takeoff from the Surface Technique Common Errors Figure 9-14.  To compensate for wind drift at altitude, crab the  helicopter into the wind.  Figure 9-13.  During a slip, the rotor disk is tilted into the wind.  9-13 Crosswind Considerations During Takeoffs 1.  Departing the surface in an attitude that is too nose- low. This situation requires the use of excessive power  to initiate a climb. 2.  Using excessive power combined with a level attitude,  which causes a vertical climb, unless needed for  obstructions and landing considerations. 3. Application of the collective that is too abrupt when  departing the surface, causing rpm and heading control  errors. side opposite the cyclic. After approximately 50 feet of altitude is gained, make a  coordinated turn into the wind to maintain the desired ground  track. This is called crabbing into the wind. The stronger the  crosswind, the more the helicopter has to be turned into the  wind to maintain the desired ground track.  [Figure 9-14] Ground reference maneuvers may be used as training  exercises to help develop a division of attention between  the flightpath and ground references, and while controlling  Normal takeoff from the surface is used to move the helicopter  from a position on the surface into effective translational lift  and a normal climb using a minimum amount of power. If the  surface is dusty or covered with loose snow, this technique  provides the most favorable visibility conditions and reduces  the possibility of debris being ingested by the engine. Place the helicopter in a stationary position on the surface.  Lower the collective to the full down position, and reduce  the rpm below operating rpm. Visually clear the area and  select terrain features or other objects to aid in maintaining  the desired track during takeoff and climb out. Increase the  throttle to the proper rpm, and raise the collective slowly  until the helicopter is light on the skids. Hesitate momentarily  and adjust the cyclic and antitorque pedals, as necessary, to  prevent any surface movement. Continue to apply upward  collective. As the helicopter leaves the ground, use the  cyclic, as necessary, to begin forward movement as altitude  is gained. Continue to accelerate. As effective translational  lift is attained, the helicopter begins to climb. Adjust attitude  and power, if necessary, to climb in the same manner as a  takeoff from a hover. A second, less efficient, but acceptable,  technique, is to attempt a vertical takeoff to evaluate if power  or lift is sufficient to clear obstructions. This allows the  helicopter to be returned to the takeoff position if required.  If the takeoff is made during crosswind conditions, the  helicopter is flown in a slip during the early stages of the  maneuver.  [Figure 9-13]  The cyclic is held into the wind a  sufficient amount to maintain the desired ground track for  the takeoff. The heading is maintained with the use of the  antitorque pedals. In other words, the rotor is tilted into the  wind so that the sideward movement of the helicopter is  just enough to counteract the crosswind effect. To prevent  the nose from turning in the direction of the rotor tilt, it is  necessary to increase the antitorque pedal pressure on the 