Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Slope Operations Lesson Plan

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

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

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Slope Operations Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound slope operations 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 slope operations.

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Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Slope Operations 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) Slope Operations 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 slope operations. (CH.IV.E.K1)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Factors used for selecting an appropriate slope. (CH.IV.E.K2)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Effect of wind on slope operations. (CH.IV.E.K3)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Dynamic rollover considerations during slope operations and preventive/recovery techniques. (CH.IV.E.K4)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Helicopter slope limitations. (CH.IV.E.K5)
  • Risk Management:
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Operations on a slope. (CH.IV.E.R1)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Conditions leading to loss of tail rotor/antitorque effectiveness. (CH.IV.E.R2)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Embarking or disembarking passengers and rotor blade hazards. (CH.IV.E.R3)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Conditions leading to dynamic rollover. (CH.IV.E.R4)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Surface conditions. (CH.IV.E.R5)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Collision hazards. (CH.IV.E.R6)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Exceeding the manufacturer's slope limitations. (CH.IV.E.R7)
  • Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Select a suitable slope. (CH.IV.E.S1)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Complete the appropriate checklist(s). (CH.IV.E.S2)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Properly approach the slope considering wind effect and obstacles. (CH.IV.E.S3)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits. (CH.IV.E.S4)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain heading and ground position and prevent movement of aircraft on slope. (CH.IV.E.S5)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Make a smooth positive descent to touch the upslope skid or wheel(s) on the sloping surface. (CH.IV.E.S6)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Recognize if slope is too steep and abandon the operation prior to reaching cyclic control stops. (CH.IV.E.S7)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain positive control while lowering the downslope skid or wheel to touchdown. (CH.IV.E.S8)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Neutralize controls after landing. (CH.IV.E.S9)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Make a smooth transition from the slope to a stabilized hover parallel to the slope. (CH.IV.E.S10)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Properly move away from the slope. (CH.IV.E.S11)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain a specified heading throughout the operation, ±5°. (CH.IV.E.S12)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain elements related to slope operations.
    • Explain factors used for selecting an appropriate slope.
    • Explain effect of wind on slope operations.
    • Explain dynamic rollover considerations during slope operations and preventive/recovery techniques.
    • Explain helicopter slope limitations.
    • Assess and manage operations on a slope.
    • Assess and manage conditions leading to loss of tail rotor/antitorque effectiveness.
    • Assess and manage embarking or disembarking passengers and rotor blade hazards.
    • Assess and manage conditions leading to dynamic rollover.
    • Assess and manage surface conditions.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with collision hazards.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with collision hazards.
    • Assess and manage exceeding the manufacturer's slope limitations.
    • Select a suitable slope.
    • Demonstrate the ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate properly approach the slope considering wind effect and obstacles.
    • Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
    • Maintain heading and ground position and prevent movement of aircraft on slope.
    • Demonstrate make a smooth positive descent to touch the upslope skid or wheel(s) on the sloping surface.
    • Recognize if slope is too steep and abandon the operation prior to reaching cyclic control stops.
    • Maintain positive control while lowering the downslope skid or wheel to touchdown.
    • Demonstrate neutralize controls after landing.
    • Demonstrate make a smooth transition from the slope to a stabilized hover parallel to the slope.
    • Demonstrate properly move away from the slope.
    • Maintain a specified heading throughout the operation, ±5°.
  • Require the learner to use the RFM, checklist, limitations, and current operational information, then document deficiencies and retraining.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Slope Operations 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 Operations on a slope.
  • Require the learner to brief, perform, or explain how to Select a suitable slope.
  • 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) Slope Operations 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) Slope Operations Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Slope Operations Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with slope operations.
  • 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 5 ACS Elements
  • CH.IV.E.K2:
    Factors used for selecting an appropriate slope.
  • CH.IV.E.K3:
    Effect of wind on slope operations.
  • CH.IV.E.K4:
    Dynamic rollover considerations during slope operations and preventive/recovery techniques.
  • CH.IV.E.K5:
    Helicopter slope limitations.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
  • CH.IV.E.R1:
    Operations on a slope.
  • CH.IV.E.R2:
    Conditions leading to loss of tail rotor/antitorque effectiveness.
  • CH.IV.E.R3:
    Embarking or disembarking passengers and rotor blade hazards.
  • CH.IV.E.R4:
    Conditions leading to dynamic rollover.
  • CH.IV.E.R5:
    Surface conditions.
  • CH.IV.E.R6:
    Collision hazards.
  • CH.IV.E.R7:
    Exceeding the manufacturer's slope limitations.
Skills 12 ACS Elements
  • CH.IV.E.S1:
    Select a suitable slope.
  • CH.IV.E.S2:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • CH.IV.E.S3:
    Properly approach the slope considering wind effect and obstacles.
  • CH.IV.E.S4:
    Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
  • CH.IV.E.S5:
    Maintain heading and ground position and prevent movement of aircraft on slope.
  • CH.IV.E.S6:
    Make a smooth positive descent to touch the upslope skid or wheel(s) on the sloping surface.
  • CH.IV.E.S7:
    Recognize if slope is too steep and abandon the operation prior to reaching cyclic control stops.
  • CH.IV.E.S8:
    Maintain positive control while lowering the downslope skid or wheel to touchdown.
  • CH.IV.E.S9:
    Neutralize controls after landing.
  • CH.IV.E.S10:
    Make a smooth transition from the slope to a stabilized hover parallel to the slope.
  • CH.IV.E.S11:
    Properly move away from the slope.
  • CH.IV.E.S12:
    Maintain a specified heading throughout the operation, ±5°.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Slope Operations Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level slope operations 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.