Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Antitorque System Failure Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) • ACS Area VIII, Task G

The Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Antitorque System Failure Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-16.

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Antitorque System Failure Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound antitorque system failure 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 and risk management associated with an antitorque system failure.

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Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Antitorque System Failure 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) Antitorque System Failure 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 Elements related to antitorque system failure by describing: (CH.VIII.G.K1)
      • Indications of an antitorque system failure(s) (CH.VIII.G.K1a)
      • Differences between complete loss of antitorque and mechanical flight control failures (CH.VIII.G.K1b)
      • RFM procedures for antitorque system(s) failure (CH.VIII.G.K1c)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Wind conditions that favor a landing with an antitorque failure. (CH.VIII.G.K2)
  • Risk Management:
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Preflight inspection of the antitorque system. (CH.VIII.G.R1)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Antitorque failure(s) for the aircraft supplied for the practical test. (CH.VIII.G.R2)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Use of antitorque failure procedures. (CH.VIII.G.R3)
  • Skill Development:
    • No separately testable element is specified for this category.
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain elements related to antitorque system failure by describing.
    • Explain indications of an antitorque system failure(s).
    • Explain differences between complete loss of antitorque and mechanical flight control failures.
    • Explain rFM procedures for antitorque system(s) failure.
    • Explain wind conditions that favor a landing with an antitorque failure.
    • Assess and manage preflight inspection of the antitorque system.
    • Assess and manage antitorque failure(s) for the aircraft supplied for the practical test.
    • Use of antitorque failure procedures.
    • The FAA intentionally specifies no separate skill element for this task; complete its applicable knowledge and risk-management objectives.
  • Require the learner to use the RFM, checklist, limitations, and current operational information, then document deficiencies and retraining.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Antitorque System Failure 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 Preflight inspection of the antitorque system.
  • Require the learner to brief, perform, or explain how to the appropriate response and decision-making process
  • 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) Antitorque System Failure 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) Antitorque System Failure Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Antitorque System Failure Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge and risk management associated with an antitorque system failure.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
  • Note: Evaluator assesses this Task orally only.
Knowledge 2 ACS Elements
  • CH.VIII.G.K2:
    Wind conditions that favor a landing with an antitorque failure.
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
  • CH.VIII.G.R1:
    Preflight inspection of the antitorque system.
  • CH.VIII.G.R2:
    Antitorque failure(s) for the aircraft supplied for the practical test.
  • CH.VIII.G.R3:
    Use of antitorque failure procedures.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Antitorque System Failure Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level antitorque system failure 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.