Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Vortex Ring State (VRS) Lesson Plan

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

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

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Vortex Ring State (VRS) Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound vortex ring state (vrs) 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 main rotor Vortex Ring State (VRS).

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Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Vortex Ring State (VRS) 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:

    • 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.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Vortex Ring State (VRS) 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 of vortex ring state. (CH.VIII.E.K1)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude. (CH.VIII.E.K2)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Requirements for the formation of VRS. (CH.VIII.E.K3)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Aerodynamics and indications of VRS. (CH.VIII.E.K4)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Flight scenarios under which VRS can occur. (CH.VIII.E.K5)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Effective recovery techniques. (CH.VIII.E.K6)
  • Risk Management:
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Pilot recognition and response to VRS. (CH.VIII.E.R1)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Entering the maneuver at a lower altitude than planned. (CH.VIII.E.R2)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Application of power or exceeding powerplant limitations. (CH.VIII.E.R3)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Collision hazards. (CH.VIII.E.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.E.R5)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). (CH.VIII.E.R6)
  • Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Complete the appropriate checklist(s). (CH.VIII.E.S1)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Clear the area. (CH.VIII.E.S2)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Select an altitude that allows recovery to be completed no lower than 1,000 feet AGL or as recommended by the manufacturer, whichever is higher. (CH.VIII.E.S3)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Establish conditions leading to VRS entry. (CH.VIII.E.S4)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Promptly recognize, announce, and recover at the first indication of VRS. (CH.VIII.E.S5)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate. (CH.VIII.E.S6)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain elements of vortex ring state.
    • Explain effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
    • Explain requirements for the formation of VRS.
    • Explain aerodynamics and indications of VRS.
    • Explain flight scenarios under which VRS can occur.
    • Explain effective recovery techniques.
    • Assess and manage pilot recognition and response to VRS.
    • Assess and manage entering the maneuver at a lower altitude than planned.
    • Assess and manage application of power or exceeding powerplant limitations.
    • 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.
      • Manage takeoff distractions.
      • Recover from a checklist interruption.
      • Preserve situational awareness during climb.
      • Apply in a scenario: Checklist Interruption.
      • Apply in a scenario: Passenger Brief.
    • Assess and manage loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
    • Demonstrate the ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate the ability to clear the area.
    • Select an altitude that allows recovery to be completed no lower than 1,000 feet AGL or as recommended by the manufacturer, whichever is higher.
    • Establish conditions leading to VRS entry.
    • Demonstrate promptly recognize, announce, and recover at the first indication of VRS.
    • Demonstrate the ability to use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
  • Require the learner to use the RFM, checklist, limitations, and current operational information, then document deficiencies and retraining.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Vortex Ring State (VRS) 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 Pilot recognition and response to VRS.
  • 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) Vortex Ring State (VRS) 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) Vortex Ring State (VRS) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Vortex Ring State (VRS) Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with main rotor Vortex Ring State (VRS).
  • 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.E.K1:
    Elements of vortex ring state.
  • CH.VIII.E.K2:
    Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
  • CH.VIII.E.K3:
    Requirements for the formation of VRS.
  • CH.VIII.E.K4:
    Aerodynamics and indications of VRS.
  • CH.VIII.E.K5:
    Flight scenarios under which VRS can occur.
  • CH.VIII.E.K6:
    Effective recovery techniques.
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
  • CH.VIII.E.R1:
    Pilot recognition and response to VRS.
  • CH.VIII.E.R2:
    Entering the maneuver at a lower altitude than planned.
  • CH.VIII.E.R3:
    Application of power or exceeding powerplant limitations.
  • CH.VIII.E.R4:
    Collision hazards.
  • CH.VIII.E.R5:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • CH.VIII.E.R6:
    Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
Skills 6 ACS Elements
  • CH.VIII.E.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • CH.VIII.E.S2:
    Clear the area.
  • CH.VIII.E.S4:
    Establish conditions leading to VRS entry.
  • CH.VIII.E.S5:
    Promptly recognize, announce, and recover at the first indication of VRS.
  • CH.VIII.E.S6:
    Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Vortex Ring State (VRS) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level vortex ring state (vrs) 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.