Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

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

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

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound systems and equipment malfunctions 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 causes, indications, and pilot actions for system malfunctions.

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Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions 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) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions 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 Causes of partial or complete power loss related to the specific type of powerplant(s). (CH.VIII.D.K1)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of System and equipment malfunctions specific to the helicopter, including: (CH.VIII.D.K2)
      • Electrical malfunction (CH.VIII.D.K2a)
      • Flight instrument malfunctions (CH.VIII.D.K2b)
      • Pitot-static system malfunction (CH.VIII.D.K2c)
      • Electronic flight deck display malfunction (CH.VIII.D.K2d)
      • Landing gear malfunctions (CH.VIII.D.K2e)
      • Inoperative flight control/trim (CH.VIII.D.K2f)
      • Hydraulic failure, if applicable (CH.VIII.D.K2g)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Various frequency vibrations and the possible components that may be affected. (CH.VIII.D.K3)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Causes and remedies for smoke or fire onboard the aircraft. (CH.VIII.D.K4)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Any other system malfunction specific to the helicopter flown. (CH.VIII.D.K5)
  • Risk Management:
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Startle response. (CH.VIII.D.R1)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Checklist usage for a system or equipment malfunction. (CH.VIII.D.R2)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. (CH.VIII.D.R3)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Undesired aircraft state. (CH.VIII.D.R4)
  • Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Determine appropriate action for simulated emergencies specified by the evaluator, from at least three of the elements or sub-elements listed in K1 through K5. (CH.VIII.D.S1)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Complete the appropriate checklist(s). (CH.VIII.D.S2)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain causes of partial or complete power loss related to the specific type of powerplant(s).
    • Distinguish fuel, induction, ignition, mechanical, and control-system causes of partial or complete power loss.
    • Use engine indications and aircraft behavior to distinguish partial power from complete power loss.
    • Distinguish conventional magneto ignition from systems that depend on the main electrical system.
    • Explain why total main-electrical-system failure does not necessarily stop a conventional magneto-ignition engine.
    • Determine whether installed ignition, engine-control, or fuel-delivery equipment requires electrical power.
    • Explain system and equipment malfunctions specific to the helicopter.
    • Explain electrical malfunction.
    • Explain flight instrument malfunctions.
    • Explain pitot-static system malfunction.
    • Explain electronic flight deck display malfunction.
    • Explain landing gear malfunctions.
    • Explain inoperative flight control/trim.
    • Explain hydraulic failure, if applicable.
    • Explain various frequency vibrations and the possible components that may be affected.
    • Explain causes and remedies for smoke or fire onboard the aircraft.
    • Explain any other system malfunction specific to the helicopter flown.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with startle response.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with startle response.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with checklist usage for a system or equipment malfunction.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with checklist usage for a system or equipment malfunction.
    • 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.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with undesired aircraft state.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with undesired aircraft state.
    • Demonstrate the ability to determine appropriate action for simulated emergencies specified by the evaluator, from at least three of the elements or sub-elements listed in K1 through K5.
    • Demonstrate the ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • Require the learner to use the RFM, checklist, limitations, and current operational information, then document deficiencies and retraining.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions 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 Startle response.
  • Require the learner to brief, perform, or explain how to Determine appropriate action for simulated emergencies specified by the evaluator, from at least three of the elements or sub-elements listed in K1 through K5.
  • 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) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions 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) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with causes, indications, and pilot actions for system malfunctions.
  • References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25
Knowledge 5 ACS Elements
  • CH.VIII.D.K2:
    System and equipment malfunctions specific to the helicopter, including:
    • CH.VIII.D.K2a:
      Electrical malfunction
    • CH.VIII.D.K2b:
      Flight instrument malfunctions
    • CH.VIII.D.K2c:
      Pitot-static system malfunction
    • CH.VIII.D.K2d:
      Electronic flight deck display malfunction
    • CH.VIII.D.K2e:
      Landing gear malfunctions
    • CH.VIII.D.K2f:
      Inoperative flight control/trim
    • CH.VIII.D.K2g:
      Hydraulic failure, if applicable
  • CH.VIII.D.K3:
    Various frequency vibrations and the possible components that may be affected.
  • CH.VIII.D.K4:
    Causes and remedies for smoke or fire onboard the aircraft.
  • CH.VIII.D.K5:
    Any other system malfunction specific to the helicopter flown.
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
  • CH.VIII.D.R1:
    Startle response.
  • CH.VIII.D.R2:
    Checklist usage for a system or equipment malfunction.
  • CH.VIII.D.R3:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • CH.VIII.D.R4:
    Undesired aircraft state.
Skills 2 ACS Elements
  • CH.VIII.D.S1:
    Determine appropriate action for simulated emergencies specified by the evaluator, from at least three of the elements or sub-elements listed in K1 through K5.
  • CH.VIII.D.S2:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level systems and equipment malfunctions 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.