Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Confined Area Operations Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) • ACS Area IX, Task A

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

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Confined Area Operations Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound confined area operations 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 confined area operations.

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Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Confined Area Operations 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) Confined Area Operations 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.IX.A.K1)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Situations when a confined area approach and landing is recommended and factors related to landing performance including H/V diagram information. (CH.IX.A.K2)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of High and low reconnaissance, including takeoff and departure planning. (CH.IX.A.K3)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Power requirements versus power available for the departure or arrival profile(s). (CH.IX.A.K4)
  • Risk Management:
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Selection of approach path, termination point and departure path based on aircraft performance and limitations, wind, and availability of alternate sites. (CH.IX.A.R1)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Effects of: (CH.IX.A.R2)
      • Wind Direction (CH.IX.A.R2a)
      • Windshear (CH.IX.A.R2b)
      • Turbulence (CH.IX.A.R2c)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with H/V diagram information. (CH.IX.A.R3)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Go-around. (CH.IX.A.R4)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Forced landing during the maneuver. (CH.IX.A.R5)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Landing surface. (CH.IX.A.R6)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Dynamic rollover. (CH.IX.A.R7)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Ground resonance. (CH.IX.A.R8)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Low rotor rpm. (CH.IX.A.R9)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). (CH.IX.A.R10)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Collision hazards. (CH.IX.A.R11)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Vortex ring state (VRS). (CH.IX.A.R12)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Aircraft limitations. (CH.IX.A.R13)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. (CH.IX.A.R14)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Power requirements versus power available for the departure or arrival profile(s). (CH.IX.A.R15)
  • Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Complete the appropriate checklist(s). (CH.IX.A.S1)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Make radio calls as appropriate. (CH.IX.A.S2)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Confirm power available meets or exceeds the power required for the selected arrival or departure profile(s). (CH.IX.A.S3)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators. (CH.IX.A.S4)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Accomplish a proper high and low reconnaissance of the confined landing area. (CH.IX.A.S5)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Select a suitable approach path, termination point, and departure path. (CH.IX.A.S6)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Track the selected approach path at an acceptable approach angle and rate of closure to the termination point. (CH.IX.A.S7)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Continually evaluate the suitability of the confined landing area and termination point. (CH.IX.A.S8)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits. (CH.IX.A.S9)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Accomplish a proper ground reconnaissance. (CH.IX.A.S10)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Terminate in a hover or on the surface, as appropriate. (CH.IX.A.S11)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Select a suitable takeoff point, considers factors affecting takeoff and climb performance under various conditions. (CH.IX.A.S12)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate. (CH.IX.A.S13)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
    • Explain situations when a confined area approach and landing is recommended and factors related to landing performance including H/V diagram information.
    • Explain high and low reconnaissance, including takeoff and departure planning.
    • Explain power requirements versus power available for the departure or arrival profile(s).
    • Assess and manage selection of approach path, termination point and departure path based on aircraft performance and limitations, wind, and availability of alternate sites.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with effects of.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with effects of.
    • Assess and manage wind Direction.
    • Assess and manage windshear.
    • Assess and manage turbulence.
    • Assess and manage h/V diagram information.
    • Assess and manage go-around.
    • Assess and manage forced landing during the maneuver.
    • Assess and manage landing surface.
    • Assess and manage dynamic rollover.
    • Assess and manage ground resonance.
    • Assess and manage low rotor rpm.
    • Assess and manage loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with collision hazards.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with collision hazards.
    • Assess and manage vortex ring state (VRS).
    • Assess and manage aircraft limitations.
    • 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.
    • Explain power requirements versus power available for the departure or arrival profile(s).
    • Demonstrate the ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate the ability to make radio calls as appropriate.
    • Demonstrate confirm power available meets or exceeds the power required for the selected arrival or departure profile(s).
    • Demonstrate the ability to determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
    • Demonstrate accomplish a proper high and low reconnaissance of the confined landing area.
    • Select a suitable approach path, termination point, and departure path.
    • Track the selected approach path at an acceptable approach angle and rate of closure to the termination point.
    • Demonstrate continually evaluate the suitability of the confined landing area and termination point.
    • Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
    • Demonstrate accomplish a proper ground reconnaissance.
    • Demonstrate terminate in a hover or on the surface, as appropriate.
    • Select a suitable takeoff point, considers factors affecting takeoff and climb performance under various conditions.
    • Demonstrate the ability to use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
  • Require the learner to use the RFM, checklist, limitations, and current operational information, then document deficiencies and retraining.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Confined Area Operations 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 Selection of approach path, termination point and departure path based on aircraft performance and limitations, wind, and availability of alternate sites.
  • 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) Confined Area Operations 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) Confined Area Operations Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Confined Area Operations Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with confined area operations.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
  • CH.IX.A.K1:
    Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
  • CH.IX.A.K3:
    High and low reconnaissance, including takeoff and departure planning.
  • CH.IX.A.K4:
    Power requirements versus power available for the departure or arrival profile(s).
Risk Management 15 ACS Elements
  • CH.IX.A.R1:
    Selection of approach path, termination point and departure path based on aircraft performance and limitations, wind, and availability of alternate sites.
  • CH.IX.A.R2:
    Effects of:
    • CH.IX.A.R2a:
      Wind Direction
    • CH.IX.A.R2b:
      Windshear
    • CH.IX.A.R2c:
      Turbulence
  • CH.IX.A.R3:
    H/V diagram information.
  • CH.IX.A.R4:
    Go-around.
  • CH.IX.A.R5:
    Forced landing during the maneuver.
  • CH.IX.A.R6:
    Landing surface.
  • CH.IX.A.R7:
    Dynamic rollover.
  • CH.IX.A.R8:
    Ground resonance.
  • CH.IX.A.R9:
    Low rotor rpm.
  • CH.IX.A.R10:
    Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
  • CH.IX.A.R11:
    Collision hazards.
  • CH.IX.A.R12:
    Vortex ring state (VRS).
  • CH.IX.A.R13:
    Aircraft limitations.
  • CH.IX.A.R14:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • CH.IX.A.R15:
    Power requirements versus power available for the departure or arrival profile(s).
Skills 13 ACS Elements
  • CH.IX.A.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • CH.IX.A.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • CH.IX.A.S3:
    Confirm power available meets or exceeds the power required for the selected arrival or departure profile(s).
  • CH.IX.A.S4:
    Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
  • CH.IX.A.S5:
    Accomplish a proper high and low reconnaissance of the confined landing area.
  • CH.IX.A.S6:
    Select a suitable approach path, termination point, and departure path.
  • CH.IX.A.S7:
    Track the selected approach path at an acceptable approach angle and rate of closure to the termination point.
  • CH.IX.A.S8:
    Continually evaluate the suitability of the confined landing area and termination point.
  • CH.IX.A.S9:
    Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
  • CH.IX.A.S10:
    Accomplish a proper ground reconnaissance.
  • CH.IX.A.S11:
    Terminate in a hover or on the surface, as appropriate.
  • CH.IX.A.S12:
    Select a suitable takeoff point, considers factors affecting takeoff and climb performance under various conditions.
  • CH.IX.A.S13:
    Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Confined Area Operations Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level confined area operations 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.