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> An aircraft is stable. Let go of the controls and it will keep flying.

That's true for most fixed-wing aircraft, but it's certainly not true for most rotor-wing aircraft. I'd estimate you've got about a second, if you're lucky, between letting go of the cyclic in a Robinson R22 and unrecoverable loss-of-control.

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Even with loss of power for rotary wing aircraft don't you have the option to auto rotate to the ground?

The problem with Robinson helicopters specifically (older R-22 & R-44 more than most) is their very low mass rotor system, which results in very low inertia. The time you have to recover is significantly shorter than other high inertia systems on other helicopters.

Their very low cost makes them pretty common for schools and instruction in general, but the low inertia (and resultant fatalities early in its operation) was significant enough that the FAA requires a Robinson specific endorsement.

You have to have enough forward speed. Auto rotation is a joke in a real emergency most of the time.

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