Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Powerplant Failure in a Hover in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan

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

The Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Powerplant Failure in a Hover in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-16.

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Powerplant Failure in a Hover in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound powerplant failure in a hover in a single-engine helicopter 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 powerplant failure in-ground effect (IGE) hover

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Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Powerplant Failure in a Hover in a Single-Engine Helicopter 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) Powerplant Failure in a Hover in a Single-Engine Helicopter 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 powerplant failure in a hover, including energy management concepts. (CH.VIII.A.K1)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude. (CH.VIII.A.K2)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of High and low inertia of rotor systems. (CH.VIII.A.K3)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Aerodynamics associated with powerplant failure in a hover. (CH.VIII.A.K4)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Proper orientation, division of attention, and proper planning. (CH.VIII.A.K5)
  • Risk Management:
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Powerplant failure in a hover. (CH.VIII.A.R1)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Flight control inputs. (CH.VIII.A.R2)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Helicopter movement. (CH.VIII.A.R3)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Dynamic rollover. (CH.VIII.A.R4)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. (CH.VIII.A.R5)
  • Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Complete the appropriate checklist(s). (CH.VIII.A.S1)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Make radio calls as appropriate. (CH.VIII.A.S2)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Clear the area. (CH.VIII.A.S3)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Select a suitable landing area. (CH.VIII.A.S4)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Establish a stationary or forward hover into the wind. (CH.VIII.A.S5)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Simulate powerplant failure. (CH.VIII.A.S6)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain a heading, ±5°, throughout the maneuver. (CH.VIII.A.S7)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Touchdown with minimum sideward movement and no rearward movement. (CH.VIII.A.S8)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Use appropriate flight control inputs to cushion the touchdown. (CH.VIII.A.S9)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to After touchdown, lower collective and neutralize flight controls. (CH.VIII.A.S10)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain elements related to powerplant failure in a hover, including energy management concepts.
    • Explain effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
    • Explain high and low inertia of rotor systems.
    • Explain aerodynamics associated with powerplant failure in a hover.
    • Explain proper orientation, division of attention, and proper planning.
    • Assess and manage powerplant failure in a hover.
    • Assess and manage flight control inputs.
    • Assess and manage helicopter movement.
    • Assess and manage dynamic rollover.
    • 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.
    • Demonstrate the ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate the ability to make radio calls as appropriate.
    • Demonstrate the ability to clear the area.
    • Select a suitable landing area.
    • Establish a stationary or forward hover into the wind.
    • Demonstrate simulate powerplant failure.
    • Maintain a heading, ±5°, throughout the maneuver.
    • Demonstrate touchdown with minimum sideward movement and no rearward movement.
    • Use appropriate flight control inputs to cushion the touchdown.
    • Demonstrate after touchdown, lower collective and neutralize flight controls.
  • Require the learner to use the RFM, checklist, limitations, and current operational information, then document deficiencies and retraining.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Powerplant Failure in a Hover in a Single-Engine Helicopter 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 Powerplant failure in a hover.
  • 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.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Powerplant Failure in a Hover in a Single-Engine Helicopter 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) Powerplant Failure in a Hover in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Powerplant Failure in a Hover in a Single-Engine Helicopter Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with powerplant failure in-ground effect (IGE) hover
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
  • Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight.
Knowledge 5 ACS Elements
  • CH.VIII.A.K2:
    Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
  • CH.VIII.A.K3:
    High and low inertia of rotor systems.
  • CH.VIII.A.K4:
    Aerodynamics associated with powerplant failure in a hover.
  • CH.VIII.A.K5:
    Proper orientation, division of attention, and proper planning.
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
  • CH.VIII.A.R1:
    Powerplant failure in a hover.
  • CH.VIII.A.R2:
    Flight control inputs.
  • CH.VIII.A.R3:
    Helicopter movement.
  • CH.VIII.A.R4:
    Dynamic rollover.
  • CH.VIII.A.R5:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 10 ACS Elements
  • CH.VIII.A.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • CH.VIII.A.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • CH.VIII.A.S3:
    Clear the area.
  • CH.VIII.A.S4:
    Select a suitable landing area.
  • CH.VIII.A.S5:
    Establish a stationary or forward hover into the wind.
  • CH.VIII.A.S6:
    Simulate powerplant failure.
  • CH.VIII.A.S7:
    Maintain a heading, ±5°, throughout the maneuver.
  • CH.VIII.A.S8:
    Touchdown with minimum sideward movement and no rearward movement.
  • CH.VIII.A.S9:
    Use appropriate flight control inputs to cushion the touchdown.
  • CH.VIII.A.S10:
    After touchdown, lower collective and neutralize flight controls.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Powerplant Failure in a Hover in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level powerplant failure in a hover in a single-engine helicopter 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.