Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) • ACS Area VII, Task B

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

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound navigation systems and radar services 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 navigation systems and radar services.

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Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Navigation Systems and Radar Services 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: AC 91-78; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25
    • ACS note: The evaluator should reference the manufacturer’s equipment supplement(s) as necessary for appropriate limitations, procedures, etc.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Navigation Systems and Radar Services 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 Ground-based navigation (identification, orientation, course determination, equipment, tests, regulations, interference, appropriate use of navigation data, and signal integrity). (CH.VII.B.K1)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Satellite-based navigation (e.g., equipment, regulations, authorized use of databases, and Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM)). (CH.VII.B.K2)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Radar assistance to visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft (e.g., operations, equipment, available services, traffic advisories). (CH.VII.B.K3)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Transponder (Mode(s) A, C, and S) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). (CH.VII.B.K4)
  • Risk Management:
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems. (CH.VII.B.R1)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. (CH.VII.B.R2)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Limitations of the navigation system in use. (CH.VII.B.R3)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Loss of a navigation signal. (CH.VII.B.R4)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used. (CH.VII.B.R5)
  • Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Use an airborne electronic navigation system. (CH.VII.B.S1)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Determine the aircraft's position using the navigation system. (CH.VII.B.S2)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Intercept and track a given course, radial, or bearing. (CH.VII.B.S3)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Recognize and describe the indication of station or waypoint passage. (CH.VII.B.S4)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Recognize loss of navigational signal and take appropriate action. (CH.VII.B.S5)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Use proper communication procedures when utilizing radar services. (CH.VII.B.S6)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain the selected altitude, ±100 feet and heading, ±10°. (CH.VII.B.S7)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain ground-based navigation (identification, orientation, course determination, equipment, tests, regulations, interference, appropriate use of navigation data, and signal integrity).
    • Apply ground-based navigation (identification, orientation, course determination, equipment, tests, regulations, interference, appropriate use of navigation data, and signal integrity) to the aircraft, conditions, or flight scenario presented.
    • Explain satellite-based navigation (e.g., equipment, regulations, authorized use of databases, and Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM)).
    • Apply satellite-based navigation (e.g., equipment, regulations, authorized use of databases, and Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM)) to the aircraft, conditions, or flight scenario presented.
    • Explain radar assistance to visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft (e.g., operations, equipment, available services, traffic advisories).
    • Apply radar assistance to visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft (e.g., operations, equipment, available services, traffic advisories) to the aircraft, conditions, or flight scenario presented.
    • Apply an assigned transponder code with the appropriate altitude-reporting mode.
    • Interpret radar traffic clock positions relative to ground track and aircraft heading.
    • Explain transponder (Mode(s) A, C, and S) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B).
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
    • 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 limitations of the navigation system in use.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with limitations of the navigation system in use.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with loss of a navigation signal.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with loss of a navigation signal.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
    • Demonstrate the ability to use an airborne electronic navigation system.
    • Determine the aircraft's position using the navigation system.
    • Demonstrate the ability to intercept and track a given course, radial, or bearing.
    • Demonstrate the ability to recognize and describe the indication of station or waypoint passage.
    • Recognize loss of navigational signal and take appropriate action.
    • Demonstrate the ability to use proper communication procedures when utilizing radar services.
    • Maintain the selected altitude, ±100 feet and heading, ±10°.
  • Require the learner to use the RFM, checklist, limitations, and current operational information, then document deficiencies and retraining.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Navigation Systems and Radar Services 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 Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
  • Require the learner to brief, perform, or explain how to Use an airborne electronic navigation system.
  • 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) Navigation Systems and Radar Services 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) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with navigation systems and radar services.
  • References: AC 91-78; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25
  • Note: The evaluator should reference the manufacturer’s equipment supplement(s) as necessary for appropriate limitations, procedures, etc.
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
  • CH.VII.B.K1:
    Ground-based navigation (identification, orientation, course determination, equipment, tests, regulations, interference, appropriate use of navigation data, and signal integrity).
  • CH.VII.B.K2:
    Satellite-based navigation (e.g., equipment, regulations, authorized use of databases, and Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM)).
  • CH.VII.B.K3:
    Radar assistance to visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft (e.g., operations, equipment, available services, traffic advisories).
  • CH.VII.B.K4:
    Transponder (Mode(s) A, C, and S) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B).
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
  • CH.VII.B.R1:
    Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
  • CH.VII.B.R2:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • CH.VII.B.R3:
    Limitations of the navigation system in use.
  • CH.VII.B.R4:
    Loss of a navigation signal.
  • CH.VII.B.R5:
    Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
Skills 7 ACS Elements
  • CH.VII.B.S1:
    Use an airborne electronic navigation system.
  • CH.VII.B.S2:
    Determine the aircraft's position using the navigation system.
  • CH.VII.B.S3:
    Intercept and track a given course, radial, or bearing.
  • CH.VII.B.S4:
    Recognize and describe the indication of station or waypoint passage.
  • CH.VII.B.S5:
    Recognize loss of navigational signal and take appropriate action.
  • CH.VII.B.S6:
    Use proper communication procedures when utilizing radar services.
  • CH.VII.B.S7:
    Maintain the selected altitude, ±100 feet and heading, ±10°.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level navigation systems and radar services 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.