Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Go-Around Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) • ACS Area V, Task G

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

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Go-Around Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound go-around 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 go-around with emphasis on factors that contribute to landing conditions that may require a go-around.

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Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Go-Around 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) Go-Around 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 Situations and considerations on approach that could require a go-around. (CH.V.G.K1)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Effects of atmospheric conditions on a go-around. (CH.V.G.K2)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Go-around procedures and the importance of a timely decision. (CH.V.G.K3)
  • Risk Management:
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Recognition of the need for a go-around. (CH.V.G.R1)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Application of power and flight control inputs. (CH.V.G.R2)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Collision hazards. (CH.V.G.R3)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. (CH.V.G.R4)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Runway incursion. (CH.V.G.R5)
  • Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Make a timely decision to discontinue the approach or at the direction of the evaluator. (CH.V.G.S1)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain powerplant and rotor rpm within normal limits while applying proper control input to stop descent and initiate climb. (CH.V.G.S2)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Transition to a positive rate of climb and appropriate airspeed of ±5 knots. (CH.V.G.S3)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain directional control, ground track, and proper wind-drift correction throughout the maneuver. (CH.V.G.S4)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Notify/coordinate with air traffic control (ATC) or evaluator instructions as required. (CH.V.G.S5)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Complete the appropriate checklist(s). (CH.V.G.S6)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate. (CH.V.G.S7)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Use runway incursion avoidance procedures, if applicable. (CH.V.G.S8)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain situations and considerations on approach that could require a go-around.
    • Explain effects of atmospheric conditions on a go-around.
    • Explain go-around procedures and the importance of a timely decision.
    • Assess and manage recognition of the need for a go-around.
    • Assess and manage application of power and flight control inputs.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with collision hazards.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with collision hazards.
    • 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.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with runway incursion.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with runway incursion.
    • Demonstrate make a timely decision to discontinue the approach or at the direction of the evaluator.
    • Maintain powerplant and rotor rpm within normal limits while applying proper control input to stop descent and initiate climb.
    • Transition to a positive rate of climb and appropriate airspeed of ±5 knots.
    • Maintain directional control, ground track, and proper wind-drift correction throughout the maneuver.
    • Demonstrate notify/coordinate with air traffic control (ATC) or evaluator instructions as required.
    • Demonstrate the ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Apply appropriate single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM) during the go-around.
    • Demonstrate the ability to use runway incursion avoidance procedures, if applicable.
  • Require the learner to use the RFM, checklist, limitations, and current operational information, then document deficiencies and retraining.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Go-Around 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 Recognition of the need for a go-around.
  • Require the learner to brief, perform, or explain how to Make a timely decision to discontinue the approach or at the direction of the evaluator.
  • 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) Go-Around 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) Go-Around Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Go-Around Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with go-around with emphasis on factors that contribute to landing conditions that may require a go-around.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
  • CH.V.G.K1:
    Situations and considerations on approach that could require a go-around.
  • CH.V.G.K2:
    Effects of atmospheric conditions on a go-around.
  • CH.V.G.K3:
    Go-around procedures and the importance of a timely decision.
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
  • CH.V.G.R1:
    Recognition of the need for a go-around.
  • CH.V.G.R2:
    Application of power and flight control inputs.
  • CH.V.G.R3:
    Collision hazards.
  • CH.V.G.R4:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • CH.V.G.R5:
    Runway incursion.
Skills 8 ACS Elements
  • CH.V.G.S1:
    Make a timely decision to discontinue the approach or at the direction of the evaluator.
  • CH.V.G.S2:
    Maintain powerplant and rotor rpm within normal limits while applying proper control input to stop descent and initiate climb.
  • CH.V.G.S3:
    Transition to a positive rate of climb and appropriate airspeed of ±5 knots.
  • CH.V.G.S4:
    Maintain directional control, ground track, and proper wind-drift correction throughout the maneuver.
  • CH.V.G.S5:
    Notify/coordinate with air traffic control (ATC) or evaluator instructions as required.
  • CH.V.G.S6:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • CH.V.G.S7:
    Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
  • CH.V.G.S8:
    Use runway incursion avoidance procedures, if applicable.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Go-Around Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level go-around 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.