Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Before Takeoff Check Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) • ACS Area II, Task D

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

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Before Takeoff Check Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound before takeoff check 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 before takeoff check.

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Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Before Takeoff Check 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:

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Before Takeoff Check 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 Purpose of before takeoff checklist items, including: (CH.II.D.K1)
      • Reasons for checking each item (CH.II.D.K1a)
      • Detecting malfunctions (CH.II.D.K1b)
      • Configuring the helicopter as recommended by the manufacturer (CH.II.D.K1c)
  • Risk Management:
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Division of attention while conducting before takeoff checks. (CH.II.D.R1)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Unexpected or unclear clearances from ATC. (CH.II.D.R2)
  • Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Complete the appropriate checklist(s). (CH.II.D.S1)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Review takeoff performance and emergency procedures. (CH.II.D.S2)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Verify that the powerplant temperature(s) and pressure(s) are suitable for takeoff. (CH.II.D.S3)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits. (CH.II.D.S4)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Divide attention inside and outside the helicopter. (CH.II.D.S5)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain purpose of before takeoff checklist items.
    • Apply purpose of before takeoff checklist items to the aircraft, conditions, or flight scenario presented.
    • Explain the overall safety purpose of before-takeoff checklist items.
    • Explain reasons for checking each item.
    • Explain detecting malfunctions.
    • Explain configuring the helicopter as recommended by the manufacturer.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with division of attention while conducting before takeoff checks.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with division of attention while conducting before takeoff checks.
    • Recover an interrupted before-takeoff checklist without assuming omitted checks are complete.
    • Assess and manage unexpected or unclear clearances from ATC.
    • Demonstrate the ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate review takeoff performance and emergency procedures.
    • Demonstrate verify that the powerplant temperature(s) and pressure(s) are suitable for takeoff.
    • Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
    • Demonstrate divide attention inside and outside the helicopter.
  • Require the learner to use the RFM, checklist, limitations, and current operational information, then document deficiencies and retraining.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Before Takeoff Check 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 Division of attention while conducting before takeoff checks.
  • 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) Before Takeoff Check 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) Before Takeoff Check Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Before Takeoff Check Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with before takeoff check.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 1 ACS Element
  • CH.II.D.K1:
    Purpose of before takeoff checklist items, including:
    • CH.II.D.K1a:
      Reasons for checking each item
    • CH.II.D.K1b:
      Detecting malfunctions
Risk Management 2 ACS Elements
  • CH.II.D.R1:
    Division of attention while conducting before takeoff checks.
  • CH.II.D.R2:
    Unexpected or unclear clearances from ATC.
Skills 5 ACS Elements
  • CH.II.D.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • CH.II.D.S2:
    Review takeoff performance and emergency procedures.
  • CH.II.D.S3:
    Verify that the powerplant temperature(s) and pressure(s) are suitable for takeoff.
  • CH.II.D.S4:
    Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
  • CH.II.D.S5:
    Divide attention inside and outside the helicopter.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Before Takeoff Check Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level before takeoff check 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.