Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Low Rotor Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) Recognition and Recovery Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) • ACS Area VIII, Task F
The Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Low Rotor Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) Recognition and Recovery Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-16.
Introduction
Attention Getter:
- Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound low rotor revolutions per minute (rpm) recognition and recovery 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 low rotor rpm recognition and recovery.
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:
- FAA-S-ACS-16.
- Helicopter Flying Handbook.
- Task references: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
- ACS note: See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
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 low rotor rpm recovery energy management, including the combination of conditions that may lead to this situation. (CH.VIII.F.K1)
- Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude. (CH.VIII.F.K2)
- Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Aerodynamics that affect low rotor rpm conditions. (CH.VIII.F.K3)
- Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Powerplant performance. (CH.VIII.F.K4)
- Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Main rotor (Nr) limitations. (CH.VIII.F.K5)
- Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Difference between low rotor rpm and blade stall. (CH.VIII.F.K6)
- Risk Management:
- Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Powerplant limitations. (CH.VIII.F.R1)
- Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Powerplant governor operation. (CH.VIII.F.R2)
- Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Collision hazards. (CH.VIII.F.R3)
- Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. (CH.VIII.F.R4)
- Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Low inertia rotor systems. (CH.VIII.F.R5)
- Skill Development:
- Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Complete the appropriate checklist(s). (CH.VIII.F.S1)
- Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Clear the area. (CH.VIII.F.S2)
- Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Detect the development of low rotor rpm and initiate prompt corrective action. (CH.VIII.F.S3)
- Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Execute the recovery procedure to return rotor rpm to normal limits. (CH.VIII.F.S4)
- Syllabus Objective Coverage:
- Explain elements related to low rotor rpm recovery energy management, including the combination of conditions that may lead to this situation.
- Explain effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
- Explain aerodynamics that affect low rotor rpm conditions.
- Explain powerplant performance.
- Explain main rotor (Nr) limitations.
- Explain difference between low rotor rpm and blade stall.
- Assess and manage powerplant limitations.
- Assess and manage powerplant governor operation.
- Identify and assess the hazards associated with collision hazards.
- Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with collision hazards.
- Identify and assess the hazards associated with distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
- Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
- Assess and manage low inertia rotor systems.
- Demonstrate the ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s).
- Demonstrate the ability to clear the area.
- Demonstrate detect the development of low rotor rpm and initiate prompt corrective action.
- Execute the recovery procedure to return rotor rpm to normal limits.
- Require the learner to use the RFM, checklist, limitations, and current operational information, then document deficiencies and retraining.
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 Powerplant limitations.
- Require the learner to brief, perform, or explain how to Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
- 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.
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.
Airman Certification Standards
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Low Rotor Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) Recognition and Recovery Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with low rotor rpm recognition and recovery.
- References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
- Note: See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
Knowledge 6 ACS Elements
-
CH.VIII.F.K2: Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude. -
CH.VIII.F.K3: Aerodynamics that affect low rotor rpm conditions. -
CH.VIII.F.K4: Powerplant performance. -
CH.VIII.F.K5: Main rotor (Nr) limitations. -
CH.VIII.F.K6: Difference between low rotor rpm and blade stall.
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
-
CH.VIII.F.R1: Powerplant limitations. -
CH.VIII.F.R2: Powerplant governor operation. -
CH.VIII.F.R3: Collision hazards. -
CH.VIII.F.R4: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. -
CH.VIII.F.R5: Low inertia rotor systems.
Skills 4 ACS Elements
-
CH.VIII.F.S1: Complete the appropriate checklist(s). -
CH.VIII.F.S2: Clear the area. -
CH.VIII.F.S3: Detect the development of low rotor rpm and initiate prompt corrective action. -
CH.VIII.F.S4: Execute the recovery procedure to return rotor rpm to normal limits.
Conclusion
Re-Motivation:
- Commercial-level low rotor revolutions per minute (rpm) recognition and recovery 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.