Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

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

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

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound maximum performance takeoff and climb 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 maximum performance takeoff and climb.

Help Us Grow

Enjoy CFI Notebook? A one-time donation helps us create more high-quality lessons, quizzes, scenarios, graphics, and interactive tools.

One-Time Donation
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb 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) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb 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 where this maneuver is appropriate. (CH.V.C.K1)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind and temperature, on takeoff and climb performance. (CH.V.C.K2)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Factors affecting the profile of the height/velocity (H/V) diagram. (CH.V.C.K3)
  • Risk Management:
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Selection of takeoff path based on helicopter performance and limitations, available distance, and wind. (CH.V.C.R1)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Effects of: (CH.V.C.R2)
      • Crosswind (CH.V.C.R2a)
      • Windshear (CH.V.C.R2b)
      • Tailwind (CH.V.C.R2c)
      • Turbulence, including wake turbulence (CH.V.C.R2d)
      • Surface conditions (CH.V.C.R2e)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Abnormal operations including: (CH.V.C.R3)
      • Rejected takeoff (CH.V.C.R3a)
      • Powerplant failure in takeoff/climb phase of flight (CH.V.C.R3b)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Collision hazards. (CH.V.C.R4)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Low rotor rpm. (CH.V.C.R5)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. (CH.V.C.R6)
  • Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Complete the appropriate checklist(s). (CH.V.C.S1)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Make radio calls as appropriate. (CH.V.C.S2)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Use control inputs to initiate lift-off from the takeoff position using a forward climb attitude to fly the departure profile. (CH.V.C.S3)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain powerplant and rotor rpm within normal limits. (CH.V.C.S4)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Use required takeoff power, or power as specified by the evaluator. (CH.V.C.S5)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to After clearing all obstacles, transition to normal climb attitude, airspeed, ±5 knots, and power setting. (CH.V.C.S6)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain directional control, ground track, and proper wind-drift correction throughout the maneuver. (CH.V.C.S7)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain situations where this maneuver is appropriate.
    • Explain effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind and temperature, on takeoff and climb performance.
    • Explain factors affecting the profile of the height/velocity (H/V) diagram.
    • Assess and manage selection of takeoff path based on helicopter performance and limitations, available distance, 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 crosswind.
    • Assess and manage windshear.
    • Assess and manage tailwind.
    • Assess and manage turbulence, including wake turbulence.
    • Assess and manage surface conditions.
    • Assess and manage abnormal operations.
    • Assess and manage rejected takeoff.
    • Assess and manage powerplant failure in takeoff/climb 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 low rotor rpm.
    • 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.
    • Demonstrate the ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate the ability to make radio calls as appropriate.
    • Use control inputs to initiate lift-off from the takeoff position using a forward climb attitude to fly the departure profile.
    • Maintain powerplant and rotor rpm within normal limits.
    • Use required takeoff power, or power as specified by the evaluator.
    • Demonstrate after clearing all obstacles, transition to normal climb attitude, airspeed, ±5 knots, and power setting.
    • Maintain directional control, ground track, and proper wind-drift correction throughout the maneuver.
  • Require the learner to use the RFM, checklist, limitations, and current operational information, then document deficiencies and retraining.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb 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 takeoff path based on helicopter performance and limitations, available distance, 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) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb 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) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with maximum performance takeoff and climb.
  • References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
  • CH.V.C.K1:
    Situations where this maneuver is appropriate.
  • CH.V.C.K2:
    Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind and temperature, on takeoff and climb performance.
  • CH.V.C.K3:
    Factors affecting the profile of the height/velocity (H/V) diagram.
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
  • CH.V.C.R1:
    Selection of takeoff path based on helicopter performance and limitations, available distance, and wind.
  • CH.V.C.R2:
    Effects of:
    • CH.V.C.R2a:
      Crosswind
    • CH.V.C.R2b:
      Windshear
    • CH.V.C.R2c:
      Tailwind
    • CH.V.C.R2d:
      Turbulence, including wake turbulence
    • CH.V.C.R2e:
      Surface conditions
  • CH.V.C.R3:
    Abnormal operations including:
    • CH.V.C.R3a:
      Rejected takeoff
    • CH.V.C.R3b:
      Powerplant failure in takeoff/climb phase of flight
  • CH.V.C.R4:
    Collision hazards.
  • CH.V.C.R5:
    Low rotor rpm.
  • CH.V.C.R6:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 7 ACS Elements
  • CH.V.C.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • CH.V.C.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • CH.V.C.S3:
    Use control inputs to initiate lift-off from the takeoff position using a forward climb attitude to fly the departure profile.
  • CH.V.C.S4:
    Maintain powerplant and rotor rpm within normal limits.
  • CH.V.C.S5:
    Use required takeoff power, or power as specified by the evaluator.
  • CH.V.C.S6:
    After clearing all obstacles, transition to normal climb attitude, airspeed, ±5 knots, and power setting.
  • CH.V.C.S7:
    Maintain directional control, ground track, and proper wind-drift correction throughout the maneuver.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level maximum performance takeoff and climb 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.