Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Rapid Deceleration/Quick Stop Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) • ACS Area VI, Task A
The Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Rapid Deceleration/Quick Stop Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-16.
Introduction
Attention Getter:
- Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound rapid deceleration/quick stop 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 rapid deceleration/quick stop and conditions that may require a rapid deceleration/quick stop.
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
Instructor Actions
- State the ACS objective and establish the commercial operating context.
- Knowledge Elements:
- Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Purpose of the maneuver. (CH.VI.A.K1)
- Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Effects of atmospheric conditions on a rapid deceleration/quick stop. (CH.VI.A.K2)
- Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Wind correction techniques during rapid deceleration/quick stop. (CH.VI.A.K3)
- Risk Management:
- Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Recognition of the need for a rapid deceleration/quick stop. (CH.VI.A.R1)
- Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Powerplant and rotor management. (CH.VI.A.R2)
- Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Vortex ring state (VRS). (CH.VI.A.R3)
- Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Collision hazards. (CH.VI.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.VI.A.R5)
- Skill Development:
- Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Complete the appropriate checklist(s). (CH.VI.A.S1)
- Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits. (CH.VI.A.S2)
- Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Coordinate all controls throughout the execution of the maneuver to terminate in a hover at an appropriate hover height. (CH.VI.A.S3)
- Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain an altitude that permits safe clearance between the tail boom and the surface. (CH.VI.A.S4)
- Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain heading throughout the maneuver, ±5°. (CH.VI.A.S5)
- Syllabus Objective Coverage:
- Explain purpose of the maneuver.
- Explain effects of atmospheric conditions on a rapid deceleration/quick stop.
- Explain wind correction techniques during rapid deceleration/quick stop.
- Assess and manage recognition of the need for a rapid deceleration/quick stop.
- Assess and manage powerplant and rotor management.
- Assess and manage vortex ring state (VRS).
- 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.
- Demonstrate the ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s).
- Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
- Demonstrate coordinate all controls throughout the execution of the maneuver to terminate in a hover at an appropriate hover height.
- Maintain an altitude that permits safe clearance between the tail boom and the surface.
- Maintain heading throughout the maneuver, ±5°.
- Require the learner to use the RFM, checklist, limitations, and current operational information, then document deficiencies and retraining.
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 Recognition of the need for a rapid deceleration/quick stop.
- 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.
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.
Airman Certification Standards
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Rapid Deceleration/Quick Stop Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with rapid deceleration/quick stop and conditions that may require a rapid deceleration/quick stop.
- References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
-
CH.VI.A.K1: Purpose of the maneuver. -
CH.VI.A.K2: Effects of atmospheric conditions on a rapid deceleration/quick stop. -
CH.VI.A.K3: Wind correction techniques during rapid deceleration/quick stop.
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
-
CH.VI.A.R1: Recognition of the need for a rapid deceleration/quick stop. -
CH.VI.A.R2: Powerplant and rotor management. -
CH.VI.A.R3: Vortex ring state (VRS). -
CH.VI.A.R4: Collision hazards. -
CH.VI.A.R5: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 5 ACS Elements
-
CH.VI.A.S1: Complete the appropriate checklist(s). -
CH.VI.A.S2: Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits. -
CH.VI.A.S3: Coordinate all controls throughout the execution of the maneuver to terminate in a hover at an appropriate hover height. -
CH.VI.A.S4: Maintain an altitude that permits safe clearance between the tail boom and the surface. -
CH.VI.A.S5: Maintain heading throughout the maneuver, ±5°.
Conclusion
Re-Motivation:
- Commercial-level rapid deceleration/quick stop 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.