Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Weather Information Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) • ACS Area I, Task C

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

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Weather Information Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound weather information 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 weather information for a flight under VFR.

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Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Weather Information 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: 14 CFR part 91; AC 91-92; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-25, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-28
    • ACS note: If K2 is selected, the evaluator must assess the applicantā€™s knowledge of at least three sub-elements.
    • ACS note: If K3 is selected, the evaluator must assess the applicantā€™s knowledge of at least three sub-elements.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Weather Information 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 Sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes. (CH.I.C.K1)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Acceptable weather products and resources required for preflight planning, current and forecast weather for departure, en route, and arrival phases of flight such as: (CH.I.C.K2)
      • Airport Observations (METAR and SPECI) and Pilot Observations (PIREP) (CH.I.C.K2a)
      • Surface Analysis Chart, Ceiling and Visibility Chart (CVA) (CH.I.C.K2b)
      • Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF) (CH.I.C.K2c)
      • Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA) (CH.I.C.K2d)
      • Wind and Temperature Aloft Forecast (FB) (CH.I.C.K2e)
      • Convective Outlook (AC) (CH.I.C.K2f)
      • Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories including Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET), Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET), and Convective SIGMET (CH.I.C.K2g)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination under visual flight rules (VFR) in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), including expected climate and hazardous conditions such as: (CH.I.C.K3)
      • Atmospheric composition and stability (CH.I.C.K3a)
      • Wind (e.g., windshear, mountain wave, factors affecting wind, etc.) (CH.I.C.K3b)
      • Temperature and heat exchange (CH.I.C.K3c)
      • Moisture/precipitation (CH.I.C.K3d)
      • Weather system formation, including air masses and fronts (CH.I.C.K3e)
      • Clouds (CH.I.C.K3f)
      • Turbulence (CH.I.C.K3g)
      • Thunderstorms and microbursts (CH.I.C.K3h)
      • Icing and freezing level information (CH.I.C.K3i)
      • Fog/mist (CH.I.C.K3j)
      • Frost (CH.I.C.K3k)
      • Obstructions to visibility (e.g., smoke, haze, volcanic ash, etc.) (CH.I.C.K3l)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Flight deck instrument displays of digital weather and aeronautical information. (CH.I.C.K4)
  • Risk Management:
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, including: (CH.I.C.R1)
      • Circumstances that would make diversion prudent (CH.I.C.R1a)
      • Personal weather minimums (CH.I.C.R1b)
      • Hazardous weather conditions, including known or forecast icing or turbulence aloft (CH.I.C.R1c)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Use and limitations of: (CH.I.C.R2)
      • Installed onboard weather equipment (CH.I.C.R2a)
      • Aviation weather reports and forecasts (CH.I.C.R2b)
      • Inflight weather resources (CH.I.C.R2c)
  • Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing. (CH.I.C.S1)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Analyze the implications of at least three of the conditions listed in K3a through K3l, using actual weather or weather conditions provided by the evaluator. (CH.I.C.S2)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Correlate weather information to make a go/no-go decision. (CH.I.C.S3)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Identify flight service role and self briefing alternatives.
    • Explain sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes.
    • Explain acceptable weather products and resources required for preflight planning, current and forecast weather for departure, en route, and arrival phases of flight such as.
    • Explain airport Observations (METAR and SPECI) and Pilot Observations (PIREP).
    • Explain surface Analysis Chart, Ceiling and Visibility Chart (CVA).
    • Explain terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF).
    • Explain graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA).
    • Explain wind and Temperature Aloft Forecast (FB).
    • Explain convective Outlook (AC).
    • Explain inflight Aviation Weather Advisories including Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET), Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET), and Convective SIGMET.
    • Explain meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination under visual flight rules (VFR) in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), including expected climate and hazardous conditions such as.
    • Apply meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination under visual flight rules (VFR) in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), including expected climate and hazardous conditions such as to the aircraft, conditions, or flight scenario presented.
    • Explain atmospheric composition and stability.
    • Explain wind (e.g., windshear, mountain wave, factors affecting wind, etc.).
    • Explain temperature and heat exchange.
    • Explain moisture/precipitation.
      • Explain humidity, dew point, saturation, condensation, and their relationship to aviation weather.
      • Identify precipitation types and explain how intensity affects visibility, ceilings, and helicopter operations.
      • Recognize freezing precipitation and other moisture conditions that can produce structural, rotor, engine, or induction icing.
      • Apply moisture and precipitation observations and forecasts to a commercial helicopter go, delay, reroute, divert, or land decision.
    • Explain weather system formation, including air masses and fronts.
    • Explain clouds.
      • Explain how lifting, cooling to saturation, condensation, and deposition form clouds.
      • Relate atmospheric stability and vertical motion to stratiform, cumuliform, and vertically developing clouds.
      • Classify low-, middle-, and high-cloud families by their approximate base ranges and composition.
      • Determine when a reported cloud layer constitutes a ceiling and explain why cloud base matters to VFR operations.
      • Assess cloud-related visibility, terrain-clearance, turbulence, icing, and convective hazards for the planned flight.
    • Explain turbulence.
      • Explain the atmospheric causes and common types of turbulence.
      • Interpret turbulence reports, forecasts, and intensity descriptions.
      • Explain how turbulence affects helicopter control, rotor loading, passenger safety, and low-altitude operating margins.
      • Select avoidance, airspeed, altitude, route, and operational responses to turbulence.
    • Explain thunderstorms and microbursts.
      • Explain the thunderstorm life cycle and the hazards present during each stage.
      • Recognize thunderstorm hazards including lightning, hail, severe turbulence, icing, heavy precipitation, and rapidly changing winds.
      • Explain microburst structure, wind changes, performance effects, and why the initial headwind can be misleading.
      • Use weather products, observations, reports, and visual cues to detect and avoid thunderstorms and microbursts.
      • Select an immediate response to an unexpected windshear or microburst encounter using aircraft-specific guidance.
    • Explain icing and freezing level information.
    • Explain fog/mist.
      • Distinguish fog from mist and interpret their reported visibility effects.
      • Explain the formation of radiation fog.
      • Explain the formation of advection fog.
      • Explain the formation of steam or evaporation fog.
      • Explain the formation of precipitation-induced fog.
      • Explain the formation of upslope fog.
      • Distinguish freezing fog from ice fog and their associated hazards.
      • Use temperature-dew point spread and observed trends to assess fog or mist potential.
      • Assess the operational effects of fog or mist and select an appropriate delay, diversion, or no-go decision.
    • Explain frost.
      • Explain how frost can form when an aircraft surface cools below freezing even if reported air temperature is above freezing.
      • Inspect for and detect frost or other frozen contamination on required critical surfaces.
      • Explain the aerodynamic and controllability hazards created by frost.
      • Use approved removal methods and reinspection to verify required surfaces remain clean before takeoff.
    • Explain obstructions to visibility (e.g., smoke, haze, volcanic ash, etc.).
    • Explain flight deck instrument displays of digital weather and aeronautical information.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions.
    • Assess and manage circumstances that would make diversion prudent.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with circumstances that would make diversion prudent.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with circumstances that would make diversion prudent.
    • Assess and manage personal weather minimums.
    • Assess and manage hazardous weather conditions, including known or forecast icing or turbulence aloft.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with use and limitations of.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with use and limitations of.
    • Assess and manage installed onboard weather equipment.
    • Assess and manage aviation weather reports and forecasts.
    • Assess and manage inflight weather resources.
    • Demonstrate the ability to use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing.
    • Demonstrate the ability to analyze the implications of at least three of the conditions listed in K3a through K3l, using actual weather or weather conditions provided by the evaluator.
    • Demonstrate the ability to correlate weather information to make a go/no-go decision.
  • Require the learner to use the RFM, checklist, limitations, and current operational information, then document deficiencies and retraining.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Weather Information 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 Making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, including:
  • Require the learner to brief, perform, or explain how to Use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing.
  • 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) Weather Information 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) Weather Information Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Weather Information Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with weather information for a flight under VFR.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; AC 91-92; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-25, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-28
  • Note: If K2 is selected, the evaluator must assess the applicantā€™s knowledge of at least three sub-elements.
  • Note: If K3 is selected, the evaluator must assess the applicantā€™s knowledge of at least three sub-elements.
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
  • CH.I.C.K1:
    Sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes.
  • CH.I.C.K2:
    Acceptable weather products and resources required for preflight planning, current and forecast weather for departure, en route, and arrival phases of flight such as:
    • CH.I.C.K2a:
      Airport Observations (METAR and SPECI) and Pilot Observations (PIREP)
    • CH.I.C.K2b:
      Surface Analysis Chart, Ceiling and Visibility Chart (CVA)
    • CH.I.C.K2c:
      Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)
    • CH.I.C.K2d:
      Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA)
    • CH.I.C.K2e:
      Wind and Temperature Aloft Forecast (FB)
    • CH.I.C.K2f:
      Convective Outlook (AC)
    • CH.I.C.K2g:
      Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories including Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET), Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET), and Convective SIGMET
  • CH.I.C.K3:
    Meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination under visual flight rules (VFR) in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), including expected climate and hazardous conditions such as:
    • CH.I.C.K3a:
      Atmospheric composition and stability
    • CH.I.C.K3b:
      Wind (e.g., windshear, mountain wave, factors affecting wind, etc.)
    • CH.I.C.K3c:
      Temperature and heat exchange
    • CH.I.C.K3d:
      Moisture/precipitation
    • CH.I.C.K3e:
      Weather system formation, including air masses and fronts
    • CH.I.C.K3f:
      Clouds
    • CH.I.C.K3g:
      Turbulence
    • CH.I.C.K3h:
      Thunderstorms and microbursts
    • CH.I.C.K3i:
      Icing and freezing level information
    • CH.I.C.K3j:
      Fog/mist
    • CH.I.C.K3k:
      Frost
    • CH.I.C.K3l:
      Obstructions to visibility (e.g., smoke, haze, volcanic ash, etc.)
  • CH.I.C.K4:
    Flight deck instrument displays of digital weather and aeronautical information.
Risk Management 2 ACS Elements
  • CH.I.C.R1:
    Making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, including:
    • CH.I.C.R1a:
      Circumstances that would make diversion prudent
    • CH.I.C.R1b:
      Personal weather minimums
    • CH.I.C.R1c:
      Hazardous weather conditions, including known or forecast icing or turbulence aloft
  • CH.I.C.R2:
    Use and limitations of:
    • CH.I.C.R2a:
      Installed onboard weather equipment
    • CH.I.C.R2b:
      Aviation weather reports and forecasts
    • CH.I.C.R2c:
      Inflight weather resources
Skills 3 ACS Elements
  • CH.I.C.S1:
    Use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing.
  • CH.I.C.S2:
    Analyze the implications of at least three of the conditions listed in K3a through K3l, using actual weather or weather conditions provided by the evaluator.
  • CH.I.C.S3:
    Correlate weather information to make a go/no-go decision.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Weather Information Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level weather information 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.