Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Pinnacle Operations Lesson Plan

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

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

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Pinnacle Operations Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

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

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Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Pinnacle 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) Pinnacle 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 Elements of pinnacle/platform operations. (CH.IX.B.K1)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude. (CH.IX.B.K2)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Suitable takeoff point and departure flight path during climb. (CH.IX.B.K3)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Situations when a pinnacle/platform approach, landing and takeoff is recommended and factors related to aircraft performance. (CH.IX.B.K4)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Elements of a high and low reconnaissance. (CH.IX.B.K5)
  • 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, and wind. (CH.IX.B.R1)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Effects of: (CH.IX.B.R2)
      • Wind Direction (CH.IX.B.R2a)
      • Windshear (CH.IX.B.R2b)
      • Turbulence (CH.IX.B.R2c)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with H/V diagram information. (CH.IX.B.R3)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Go-around. (CH.IX.B.R4)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Powerplant failure during approach/landing phase of flight. (CH.IX.B.R5)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Collision hazards. (CH.IX.B.R6)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Vortex ring state (VRS). (CH.IX.B.R7)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Landing surface. (CH.IX.B.R8)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Low rotor rpm. (CH.IX.B.R9)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Dynamic rollover. (CH.IX.B.R10)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Ground resonance. (CH.IX.B.R11)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). (CH.IX.B.R12)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Aircraft limitations. (CH.IX.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.IX.B.R14)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Main and tail rotor hazards for passengers. (CH.IX.B.R15)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Forced landing. (CH.IX.B.R16)
  • Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Complete the appropriate checklist(s). (CH.IX.B.S1)
    • 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.B.S2)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Make radio calls as appropriate. (CH.IX.B.S3)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Accomplish high and low reconnaissance. (CH.IX.B.S4)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators. (CH.IX.B.S5)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Select a suitable approach path, termination point, and departure path. (CH.IX.B.S6)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Select an approach path considering wind direction. (CH.IX.B.S7)
    • 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.B.S8)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits. (CH.IX.B.S9)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Accomplish a proper ground reconnaissance. (CH.IX.B.S10)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Terminate in a hover or on the surface, as appropriate. (CH.IX.B.S11)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Select a suitable takeoff point and consider factors affecting takeoff and climb performance under various conditions. (CH.IX.B.S12)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain elements of pinnacle/platform operations.
    • Explain effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
    • Explain suitable takeoff point and departure flight path during climb.
    • Explain situations when a pinnacle/platform approach, landing and takeoff is recommended and factors related to aircraft performance.
    • Explain elements of a high and low reconnaissance.
    • Assess and manage selection of approach path, termination point and departure path based on aircraft performance and limitations, and wind.
    • 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 powerplant failure during approach/landing phase of flight.
    • 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 landing surface.
    • Assess and manage low rotor rpm.
    • Assess and manage dynamic rollover.
    • Assess and manage ground resonance.
    • Assess and manage loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
    • 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.
    • Assess and manage main and tail rotor hazards for passengers.
    • Assess and manage forced landing.
    • Demonstrate the ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate confirm power available meets or exceeds the power required for the selected arrival or departure profile(s).
    • Demonstrate the ability to make radio calls as appropriate.
    • Demonstrate accomplish high and low reconnaissance.
    • Demonstrate the ability to determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
    • Select a suitable approach path, termination point, and departure path.
    • Select an approach path considering wind direction.
    • Track the selected approach path at an acceptable approach angle and rate of closure to the 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 and consider factors affecting takeoff and climb performance under various conditions.
    • Demonstrate the applicable knowledge, risk management, and flight skills to FAA-S-ACS-16 standards in an instructor-supervised readiness evaluation; online study completion alone does not demonstrate flight proficiency.
  • Require the learner to use the RFM, checklist, limitations, and current operational information, then document deficiencies and retraining.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Pinnacle 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, and wind.
  • 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) Pinnacle 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) Pinnacle Operations Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Pinnacle Operations Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with pinnacle operations.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 5 ACS Elements
  • CH.IX.B.K1:
    Elements of pinnacle/platform operations.
  • CH.IX.B.K2:
    Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
  • CH.IX.B.K3:
    Suitable takeoff point and departure flight path during climb.
  • CH.IX.B.K5:
    Elements of a high and low reconnaissance.
Risk Management 16 ACS Elements
  • CH.IX.B.R1:
    Selection of approach path, termination point and departure path based on aircraft performance and limitations, and wind.
  • CH.IX.B.R2:
    Effects of:
    • CH.IX.B.R2a:
      Wind Direction
    • CH.IX.B.R2b:
      Windshear
    • CH.IX.B.R2c:
      Turbulence
  • CH.IX.B.R3:
    H/V diagram information.
  • CH.IX.B.R4:
    Go-around.
  • CH.IX.B.R5:
    Powerplant failure during approach/landing phase of flight.
  • CH.IX.B.R6:
    Collision hazards.
  • CH.IX.B.R7:
    Vortex ring state (VRS).
  • CH.IX.B.R8:
    Landing surface.
  • CH.IX.B.R9:
    Low rotor rpm.
  • CH.IX.B.R10:
    Dynamic rollover.
  • CH.IX.B.R11:
    Ground resonance.
  • CH.IX.B.R12:
    Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
  • CH.IX.B.R13:
    Aircraft limitations.
  • CH.IX.B.R14:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • CH.IX.B.R15:
    Main and tail rotor hazards for passengers.
  • CH.IX.B.R16:
    Forced landing.
Skills 12 ACS Elements
  • CH.IX.B.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • CH.IX.B.S2:
    Confirm power available meets or exceeds the power required for the selected arrival or departure profile(s).
  • CH.IX.B.S3:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • CH.IX.B.S4:
    Accomplish high and low reconnaissance.
  • CH.IX.B.S5:
    Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
  • CH.IX.B.S6:
    Select a suitable approach path, termination point, and departure path.
  • CH.IX.B.S7:
    Select an approach path considering wind direction.
  • CH.IX.B.S8:
    Track the selected approach path at an acceptable approach angle and rate of closure to the termination point.
  • CH.IX.B.S9:
    Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
  • CH.IX.B.S10:
    Accomplish a proper ground reconnaissance.
  • CH.IX.B.S11:
    Terminate in a hover or on the surface, as appropriate.
  • CH.IX.B.S12:
    Select a suitable takeoff point and consider factors affecting takeoff and climb performance under various conditions.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Pinnacle Operations Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level pinnacle 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.