Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan

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

The Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-16.

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound straight-in autorotation in a single-engine helicopter 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 a straight-in autorotation to a power recovery.

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Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter 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 61-140; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
    • ACS note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter 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 Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude. (CH.VI.B.K1)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Main rotor (Nr) speed. (CH.VI.B.K2)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Energy management. (CH.VI.B.K3)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Causes and effects of high descent rates. (CH.VI.B.K4)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Effect of varying bank angles, airspeeds, and rotor rpm. (CH.VI.B.K5)
  • Risk Management:
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Low entry altitudes. (CH.VI.B.R1)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Flight control inputs. (CH.VI.B.R2)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Turbulence, including wake turbulence. (CH.VI.B.R3)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Windshear. (CH.VI.B.R4)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Energy management. (CH.VI.B.R5)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Main rotor (Nr) speed. (CH.VI.B.R6)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Low rotor rpm or rotor stall. (CH.VI.B.R7)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Main rotor (Nr) overspeed. (CH.VI.B.R8)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Excessive rate of descent. (CH.VI.B.R9)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Powerplant failure during the maneuver. (CH.VI.B.R10)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Collision hazards. (CH.VI.B.R11)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Terminating an autorotation. (CH.VI.B.R12)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Power recovery and go-around. (CH.VI.B.R13)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. (CH.VI.B.R14)
  • Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Complete the appropriate checklist(s). (CH.VI.B.S1)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Make radio calls as appropriate. (CH.VI.B.S2)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Select a suitable landing area. (CH.VI.B.S3)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Clear the area. (CH.VI.B.S4)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Select an appropriate entry altitude. (CH.VI.B.S5)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Initiate the maneuver at the proper point. (CH.VI.B.S6)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Establish power-off glide with the helicopter trimmed and autorotation airspeed, ±5 knots. (CH.VI.B.S7)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain main rotor (Nr) within normal limits. (CH.VI.B.S8)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Compensate for wind speed and direction as necessary to avoid undershooting or overshooting the selected landing area. (CH.VI.B.S9)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Use proper deceleration and collective pitch application that permits safe clearance between the aircraft tail boom and the surface. (CH.VI.B.S10)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Initiate proper power recovery. (CH.VI.B.S11)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Terminate autorotation to a stabilized hover, within 100 feet of a designated point. (CH.VI.B.S12)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
    • Explain main rotor (Nr) speed.
    • Explain energy management.
    • Explain causes and effects of high descent rates.
    • Explain effect of varying bank angles, airspeeds, and rotor rpm.
    • Assess and manage low entry altitudes.
    • Assess and manage flight control inputs.
    • Assess and manage turbulence, including wake turbulence.
    • Assess and manage windshear.
    • Assess and manage the risk of depleting rotor energy during a straight-in autorotation.
    • Explain main rotor (Nr) speed.
    • Assess and manage low rotor rpm or rotor stall.
    • Assess and manage main rotor (Nr) overspeed.
    • Assess and manage excessive rate of descent.
    • Assess and manage powerplant failure during the maneuver.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with collision hazards.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with collision hazards.
    • Assess and manage terminating an autorotation.
    • Assess and manage power recovery and go-around.
    • 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.
    • Demonstrate the ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate the ability to make radio calls as appropriate.
    • Select a suitable landing area.
    • Demonstrate the ability to clear the area.
    • Select an appropriate entry altitude.
    • Demonstrate initiate the maneuver at the proper point.
    • Establish power-off glide with the helicopter trimmed and autorotation airspeed, ±5 knots.
    • Maintain main rotor (Nr) within normal limits.
    • Demonstrate compensate for wind speed and direction as necessary to avoid undershooting or overshooting the selected landing area.
    • Use proper deceleration and collective pitch application that permits safe clearance between the aircraft tail boom and the surface.
    • Demonstrate initiate proper power recovery.
    • Terminate autorotation to a stabilized hover, within 100 feet of a designated point.
  • Require the learner to use the RFM, checklist, limitations, and current operational information, then document deficiencies and retraining.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter 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 Low entry altitudes.
  • 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) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter 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) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with a straight-in autorotation to a power recovery.
  • References: AC 61-140; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
  • Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
Knowledge 5 ACS Elements
  • CH.VI.B.K1:
    Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
  • CH.VI.B.K2:
    Main rotor (Nr) speed.
  • CH.VI.B.K3:
    Energy management.
  • CH.VI.B.K4:
    Causes and effects of high descent rates.
  • CH.VI.B.K5:
    Effect of varying bank angles, airspeeds, and rotor rpm.
Risk Management 14 ACS Elements
  • CH.VI.B.R1:
    Low entry altitudes.
  • CH.VI.B.R2:
    Flight control inputs.
  • CH.VI.B.R3:
    Turbulence, including wake turbulence.
  • CH.VI.B.R4:
    Windshear.
  • CH.VI.B.R5:
    Energy management.
  • CH.VI.B.R6:
    Main rotor (Nr) speed.
  • CH.VI.B.R7:
    Low rotor rpm or rotor stall.
  • CH.VI.B.R8:
    Main rotor (Nr) overspeed.
  • CH.VI.B.R9:
    Excessive rate of descent.
  • CH.VI.B.R10:
    Powerplant failure during the maneuver.
  • CH.VI.B.R11:
    Collision hazards.
  • CH.VI.B.R12:
    Terminating an autorotation.
  • CH.VI.B.R13:
    Power recovery and go-around.
  • CH.VI.B.R14:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 12 ACS Elements
  • CH.VI.B.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • CH.VI.B.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • CH.VI.B.S3:
    Select a suitable landing area.
  • CH.VI.B.S4:
    Clear the area.
  • CH.VI.B.S5:
    Select an appropriate entry altitude.
  • CH.VI.B.S6:
    Initiate the maneuver at the proper point.
  • CH.VI.B.S7:
    Establish power-off glide with the helicopter trimmed and autorotation airspeed, ±5 knots.
  • CH.VI.B.S8:
    Maintain main rotor (Nr) within normal limits.
  • CH.VI.B.S9:
    Compensate for wind speed and direction as necessary to avoid undershooting or overshooting the selected landing area.
  • CH.VI.B.S10:
    Use proper deceleration and collective pitch application that permits safe clearance between the aircraft tail boom and the surface.
  • CH.VI.B.S11:
    Initiate proper power recovery.
  • CH.VI.B.S12:
    Terminate autorotation to a stabilized hover, within 100 feet of a designated point.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level straight-in autorotation in a single-engine helicopter 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.