Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) • ACS Area III, Task B

The Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-16.

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound communications, light signals, and runway lighting systems knowledge, risk management, and technique.
    • Ask the learner to identify the earliest decision or control input that protects the available safety margin.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with normal and emergency radio communications, air traffic control (ATC) light signals, and runway lighting systems.

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Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan

Materials

  • Required Materials:

    • FAA-S-ACS-16, Commercial Pilot for Rotorcraft Category Helicopter Rating Airman Certification Standards.
    • Model-specific Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM), approved checklist, and performance data.
    • Student training record and applicable lesson records.

  • Reference Materials:

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • State the ACS objective and establish the commercial operating context.
  • Knowledge Elements:
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of How to obtain appropriate radio frequencies. (CH.III.B.K1)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Proper radio communication procedures and air traffic control (ATC) phraseology. (CH.III.B.K2)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of ATC light signal recognition. (CH.III.B.K3)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Appropriate use of transponder(s). (CH.III.B.K4)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Lost communication procedures. (CH.III.B.K5)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Equipment issues that could cause loss of communication. (CH.III.B.K6)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Radar assistance. (CH.III.B.K7)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident/incident reporting. (CH.III.B.K8)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Runway Status Lighting Systems. (CH.III.B.K9)
  • Risk Management:
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Communication. (CH.III.B.R1)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Deciding if and when to declare an emergency. (CH.III.B.R2)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Use of non-standard phraseology. (CH.III.B.R3)
  • Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Select and activate appropriate frequencies. (CH.III.B.S1)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Transmit using standard phraseology and procedures as specified in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and Pilot/Controller Glossary. (CH.III.B.S2)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Acknowledge radio communications and comply with ATC instructions or as directed by the evaluator. (CH.III.B.S3)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Distinguish recommended guard monitoring from situation specific requirement.
    • Explain how to obtain appropriate radio frequencies.
    • Obtain and verify appropriate communication frequencies from current sources.
    • Explain atc emergency priority reporting.
    • Notify atc after emergency clearance deviation.
    • Distinguish recommended guard monitoring from situation specific requirement.
    • Explain proper radio communication procedures and air traffic control (ATC) phraseology.
    • Apply proper radio communication procedures and air traffic control (ATC) phraseology to the aircraft, conditions, or flight scenario presented.
    • Construct a complete initial radio call.
    • Read back safety-critical ATC instructions.
    • Make recommended outbound CTAF broadcasts at a nontowered airport.
    • Make recommended inbound CTAF broadcasts at a nontowered airport.
    • Explain aTC light signal recognition.
    • Interpret steady and flashing green light-gun signals on the ground.
    • Interpret red and flashing-white light-gun signals on the ground.
    • Interpret green light-gun signals in flight.
    • Interpret red and alternating red-and-green light-gun signals in flight.
    • Select transponder code 7600.
    • Explain appropriate use of transponder(s).
    • Use transponder code changes and IDENT only as directed or required.
    • Select transponder codes for hijacking and a general emergency.
    • Select transponder code 7600.
    • Perform initial radio failure checks.
    • Explain lost communication procedures.
    • Apply lost communication procedures to the aircraft, conditions, or flight scenario presented.
    • Apply VFR lost-communication procedures when approaching a towered airport.
    • Perform initial radio failure checks.
    • Explain equipment issues that could cause loss of communication.
    • Apply equipment issues that could cause loss of communication to the aircraft, conditions, or flight scenario presented.
    • Identify equipment selections and failures that can cause apparent or actual loss of communication.
    • Explain radar assistance.
    • Explain limitations of VFR radar traffic services.
    • Request radar assistance when navigation or safety deteriorates.
    • Identify 49 cfr part 830.
    • Explain national Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident/incident reporting.
    • Determine when immediate NTSB notification is required.
    • Determine when a written NTSB report is required.
    • Explain runway Status Lighting Systems.
    • Apply runway Status Lighting Systems to the aircraft, conditions, or flight scenario presented.
    • Explain Runway Status Light indications and clearance limitations.
    • Resolve a crossing-clearance conflict with illuminated red stop-bar or runway entrance lights before entry.
    • Distinguish recommended guard monitoring from situation specific requirement.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with communication.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with communication.
    • Manage communication workload and uncertainty.
    • Explain atc emergency priority reporting.
    • Notify atc after emergency clearance deviation.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with deciding if and when to declare an emergency.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with deciding if and when to declare an emergency.
    • Communicate an emergency effectively.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with use of non-standard phraseology.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with use of non-standard phraseology.
    • Resolve ambiguous or nonstandard radio communication before acting.
    • Demonstrate the ability to select and activate appropriate frequencies.
    • Demonstrate the ability to transmit using standard phraseology and procedures as specified in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and Pilot/Controller Glossary.
    • Demonstrate the ability to acknowledge radio communications and comply with ATC instructions or as directed by the evaluator.
  • Require the learner to use the RFM, checklist, limitations, and current operational information, then document deficiencies and retraining.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Place the learner in a realistic commercial helicopter operation involving passengers, schedule pressure, changing weather or landing-area conditions, and aircraft performance limitations.
  • Require the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate Communication.
  • Require the learner to brief, perform, or explain how to Select and activate appropriate frequencies.
  • Introduce a meaningful change in wind, power available, landing area, traffic, system status, fuel, or external pressure and require a new decision.
  • Conclude with a self-critique tied to every applicable ACS element and the commercial standard of care.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan

Student Actions

  • Complete assigned readings and review the model-specific RFM and checklist.
  • Explain each applicable knowledge element in operational context.
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate each applicable risk.
  • Demonstrate or explain each applicable skill within ACS standards and helicopter limitations.
  • Perform a self-assessment and make appropriate go/no-go, continue/divert, or discontinue decisions.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with normal and emergency radio communications, air traffic control (ATC) light signals, and runway lighting systems.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25
Knowledge 9 ACS Elements
  • CH.III.B.K1:
    How to obtain appropriate radio frequencies.
  • CH.III.B.K2:
    Proper radio communication procedures and air traffic control (ATC) phraseology.
  • CH.III.B.K3:
    ATC light signal recognition.
  • CH.III.B.K4:
    Appropriate use of transponder(s).
  • CH.III.B.K5:
    Lost communication procedures.
  • CH.III.B.K6:
    Equipment issues that could cause loss of communication.
  • CH.III.B.K7:
    Radar assistance.
  • CH.III.B.K8:
    National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident/incident reporting.
  • CH.III.B.K9:
    Runway Status Lighting Systems.
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
  • CH.III.B.R1:
    Communication.
  • CH.III.B.R2:
    Deciding if and when to declare an emergency.
  • CH.III.B.R3:
    Use of non-standard phraseology.
Skills 3 ACS Elements
  • CH.III.B.S1:
    Select and activate appropriate frequencies.
  • CH.III.B.S2:
    Transmit using standard phraseology and procedures as specified in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and Pilot/Controller Glossary.
  • CH.III.B.S3:
    Acknowledge radio communications and comply with ATC instructions or as directed by the evaluator.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level communications, light signals, and runway lighting systems proficiency protects passengers, the aircraft, and the operator's safety margin.

  • Closure:

    • Review the objective, identified risks, performance strengths, and items requiring additional training.
    • Record the learner's progress and assign the next applicable lesson.