Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Ground Resonance Lesson Plan

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

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

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Ground Resonance Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound ground resonance 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 ground resonance.

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Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Ground Resonance 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) Ground Resonance 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 Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to ground resonance by describing: (CH.VIII.I.K1)
      • Conditions that contribute to ground resonance (CH.VIII.I.K1a)
      • Preventive flight technique during takeoffs and landings (CH.VIII.I.K1b)
      • Landing surface (CH.VIII.I.K1c)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Inspection of items that may contribute to ground resonance. (CH.VIII.I.K2)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Corrective actions during low and normal rotor rpm speeds. (CH.VIII.I.K3)
  • Risk Management:
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Factors that may contribute to the onset of ground resonance. (CH.VIII.I.R1)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Recognition of the onset of ground resonance. (CH.VIII.I.R2)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Recovery procedure selection. (CH.VIII.I.R3)
  • Skill Development:
    • No separately testable element is specified for this category.
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain exhibits knowledge of the elements related to ground resonance by describing.
    • Explain conditions that contribute to ground resonance.
    • Explain preventive flight technique during takeoffs and landings.
    • Explain landing surface.
    • Explain inspection of items that may contribute to ground resonance.
    • Explain corrective actions during low and normal rotor rpm speeds.
    • Assess and manage factors that may contribute to the onset of ground resonance.
    • Assess and manage recognition of the onset of ground resonance.
    • Assess and manage recovery procedure selection.
    • 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) Ground Resonance 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 Factors that may contribute to the onset of ground resonance.
  • 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) Ground Resonance 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) Ground Resonance Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Ground Resonance Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge and risk management associated with ground resonance.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
  • Note: Evaluator assesses this Task orally only.
Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
  • CH.VIII.I.K2:
    Inspection of items that may contribute to ground resonance.
  • CH.VIII.I.K3:
    Corrective actions during low and normal rotor rpm speeds.
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
  • CH.VIII.I.R1:
    Factors that may contribute to the onset of ground resonance.
  • CH.VIII.I.R2:
    Recognition of the onset of ground resonance.
  • CH.VIII.I.R3:
    Recovery procedure selection.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Ground Resonance Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level ground resonance 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.