RV-8
Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 16.2; Flight Crew Total 646; Flight Crew Type 92.8
Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
I flew to M01 arriving mid afternoon. The flight was IFR. About 10 miles from M01; I informed Memphis Approach I had the airport in sight and cancelled IFR. I changed to the CTAF for M01 and announced my intentions to land. I then heard an unintelligible call and only made out 'midfield'. I called and asked if call was for 'me'. The call was repeated and this time very loud and clear; it was a helicopter crossing midfield to enter downwind for [Runway] 17. I don't remember exactly the next sequence but when I got closer I announced my position and that I would be entering right downwind for [Runway] 17. The helicopter was turning base and I announce that I was turning away from the airport and performing a 360 degree turn and then enter right downwind [Runway] 17. When I entered the right downwind with a standard 45 degree angle at midfield; I could see the helicopter on short final just about to the threshold. I continued on downwind and then announced base and turned to base. I continued on base while configuring airplane and the helicopter appeared to be over the runway. I announced final; turned final and set my final configuration for landing and then noticed a helicopter seemed closer and at a higher altitude than I. It was near the approach end of the runway. I also noticed the helicopter was facing north toward me. It appeared he might be coming in my direction but I was not sure. I was at a lower altitude than the helicopter and I was in landing configuration and slow for landing. I immediately called and announced seeing the helicopter announcing I was going below the helicopter. I made this split second decision because of my altitude being lower than the helicopter; my slow landing speed; I was in landing configuration and did not know what the helicopter was doing. The helicopter made no response on the radio and made no move that I could detect. I got low and made an uneventful landing. I taxied and parked the plane; opened my canopy and immediately before I could exit the plane; a young man in a jump suit came and was extremely agitated; Saying 'what was that!'; that he had the right of way and why did I do what I did. I tried to calm him down as he just yelled this and then was walking away. I asked him to return to discuss the situation and he did but did not calm down until I told him we needed to discuss so we learn something from this. He was certain he was in the right and had the right of way and was not interested in hearing anything else. He said he heard me announce downwind; announce base but then he said he heard me announce final quicker that he thought I should be. He said he also heard me announce when I saw him on the runway and that I was going low. I was calm and non confrontational and my goal was to defuse him; as challenging him in his state would have not accomplished anything. He was a bit calmer and then walked back to the helicopter. The FBO lineman and my passenger witnessed the conversation. I remained at my plane for about 20-25 minutes. While I was at my plane I noticed there was a second helicopter. I don't really know which helicopter I landed beneath; the one on the approach before me or the 2nd helicopter. I had not recalled any calls from a second helicopter. In this 20-25 minute period; my passenger and I witnessed a helicopter was hovering over the runway at the approach end. This lasted for the entire time. This is about the same place the helicopter was when I landed. Another plane (Cessna 172) arrived and the helicopter sidestepped to the taxiway about 50 feet from the runway while the plane landed. I did not have a radio on at the time to hear what announcements were made. I discussed the situation with the FBO lineman. He stated the helicopters train at the airport at times and he believed they were based in West Memphis. He stated they frequently hover over the runway; many times at the taxiway intersections. He stated they block the runways at times and normal traffic has to work around them. I have stated facts and my observations above. The following is my opinion. I really don't know which helicopter was at the approach end of the runway when I was on final. However; if it was the one who announced and on final when I was on downwind; it had reversed course and was still over the runway. Procedures require that Aircraft must exit runway without delay. Helicopter should avoid flow of fixed wing aircraft and land in a marked spot or suitable clear area. If it was the other helicopter; it did not announce; was not on an approach or in the pattern that I was aware of and should have been well clear of the runway. I witnessed one of the helicopters later; hovering over the approach end of [Runway] 17 and side stepping when another plane landed. If the helicopters were training; I feel they should not be loitering over an active runway. If training around and near an active runway; the helicopters should announce positions and intentions often. Pilots of aircraft conducting other than arriving or departing operations at altitudes normally used by arriving and departing aircraft should monitor/communicate on the appropriate frequency. I was on an IFR cross country flight and only was on the CFAF frequency after leaving ATC frequency. When I was on final; and realized the helicopter was over the approach end; I immediately announced my position and intentions. The helicopter did not respond. Obviously he should fly the aircraft first but when possible he should have also communicated his intentions. I made all of my announcements in the pattern. The young man who confronted me restated each of my announcements to indicate his surprise as to how quickly he felt I was on final. He obviously knew I was coming and was over the runway well before I turned final. Yet in my opinion he stayed on the runway with no intention to exit the runway when able or land as appropriate for a helicopter. His remaining over the runway for whatever reason was done with the knowledge of my position and intentions and created the event. When he confronted me; he stated he had the right of way. Even if true; the craft having the right of way should not take advantage of this right by loitering and forcing another aircraft [to] divert. I learned in this situation to expect the unexpected. To be on the lookout for others to do the unexpected and to use see and avoid principles to avoid these craft. Also to maintain visual contact with other craft as much is possible while also flying and configuring the plane for landing.
RV8 pilot reports landing under a helicopter that appears on short final facing the opposite direction at 250 FT AGL and perhaps hovering. The reporter is confronted by the helicopter pilot but an explanation of what occurred was never given.