Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Normal and Crosswind Approach Lesson Plan

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

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

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Normal and Crosswind Approach Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound normal and crosswind approach 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 a normal and crosswind approach.

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) Normal and Crosswind Approach 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:

    • FAA-S-ACS-16.
    • Helicopter Flying Handbook.
    • Task references: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
    • ACS note: If a crosswind condition does not exist, the applicant’s knowledge of crosswind elements must be evaluated through oral testing.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Normal and Crosswind Approach 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, altitude, and temperature on performance. (CH.V.B.K1)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Wind correction techniques on approach and landing. (CH.V.B.K2)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Landing surface, obstructions, and selection of a suitable touchdown point. (CH.V.B.K3)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Factors affecting the profile of the height/velocity (H/V) diagram. (CH.V.B.K4)
  • Risk Management:
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Selection of approach path and landing based on aircraft performance and limitations, and wind. (CH.V.B.R1)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Effects of: (CH.V.B.R2)
      • Crosswind (CH.V.B.R2a)
      • Windshear (CH.V.B.R2b)
      • Tailwind (CH.V.B.R2c)
      • Turbulence, including wake turbulence (CH.V.B.R2d)
      • Vortex ring state (VRS) (CH.V.B.R2e)
      • Touchdown surface and condition (CH.V.B.R2f)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Go-around/rejected landing. (CH.V.B.R3)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Collision hazards. (CH.V.B.R4)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. (CH.V.B.R5)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). (CH.V.B.R6)
  • Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Complete the appropriate checklist(s). (CH.V.B.S1)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Make radio calls as appropriate. (CH.V.B.S2)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators. (CH.V.B.S3)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Align the helicopter with the correct/assigned runway or touchdown point. (CH.V.B.S4)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Scan the landing area/touchdown point and adjoining area for traffic and obstructions. (CH.V.B.S5)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain proper ground track with crosswind correction, if necessary. (CH.V.B.S6)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Establish and maintain a normal approach angle and rate of closure. (CH.V.B.S7)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits. (CH.V.B.S8)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Arrive at the termination point, on the surface or at a stabilized hover ±2 feet. (CH.V.B.S9)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Use runway incursion avoidance procedures, if applicable. (CH.V.B.S10)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain effects of wind, weight, altitude, and temperature on performance.
    • Explain wind correction techniques on approach and landing.
    • Explain landing surface, obstructions, and selection of a suitable touchdown point.
    • Explain factors affecting the profile of the height/velocity (H/V) diagram.
    • Assess and manage selection of approach path and landing 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 crosswind.
    • Assess and manage windshear.
    • Assess and manage tailwind.
    • Assess and manage turbulence, including wake turbulence.
    • Assess and manage vortex ring state (VRS).
    • Assess and manage touchdown surface and condition.
    • Assess and manage go-around/rejected landing.
    • 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.
    • Assess and manage loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
    • Demonstrate the ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate the ability to make radio calls as appropriate.
    • Demonstrate the ability to determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
    • Demonstrate align the helicopter with the correct/assigned runway or touchdown point.
    • Demonstrate scan the landing area/touchdown point and adjoining area for traffic and obstructions.
    • Maintain proper ground track with crosswind correction, if necessary.
    • Establish and maintain a normal approach angle and rate of closure.
    • Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
    • Arrive at the termination point, on the surface or at a stabilized hover ±2 feet.
    • 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) Normal and Crosswind Approach 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 and landing 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) Normal and Crosswind Approach 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) Normal and Crosswind Approach Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Normal and Crosswind Approach Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with a normal and crosswind approach.
  • References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
  • Note: If a crosswind condition does not exist, the applicant’s knowledge of crosswind elements must be evaluated through oral testing.
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
  • CH.V.B.K1:
    Effects of wind, weight, altitude, and temperature on performance.
  • CH.V.B.K2:
    Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.
  • CH.V.B.K3:
    Landing surface, obstructions, and selection of a suitable touchdown point.
  • CH.V.B.K4:
    Factors affecting the profile of the height/velocity (H/V) diagram.
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
  • CH.V.B.R1:
    Selection of approach path and landing based on aircraft performance and limitations, and wind.
  • CH.V.B.R2:
    Effects of:
    • CH.V.B.R2a:
      Crosswind
    • CH.V.B.R2b:
      Windshear
    • CH.V.B.R2c:
      Tailwind
    • CH.V.B.R2d:
      Turbulence, including wake turbulence
    • CH.V.B.R2e:
      Vortex ring state (VRS)
    • CH.V.B.R2f:
      Touchdown surface and condition
  • CH.V.B.R3:
    Go-around/rejected landing.
  • CH.V.B.R4:
    Collision hazards.
  • CH.V.B.R5:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • CH.V.B.R6:
    Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
Skills 10 ACS Elements
  • CH.V.B.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • CH.V.B.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • CH.V.B.S3:
    Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
  • CH.V.B.S4:
    Align the helicopter with the correct/assigned runway or touchdown point.
  • CH.V.B.S5:
    Scan the landing area/touchdown point and adjoining area for traffic and obstructions.
  • CH.V.B.S6:
    Maintain proper ground track with crosswind correction, if necessary.
  • CH.V.B.S7:
    Establish and maintain a normal approach angle and rate of closure.
  • CH.V.B.S8:
    Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
  • CH.V.B.S9:
    Arrive at the termination point, on the surface or at a stabilized hover ±2 feet.
  • CH.V.B.S10:
    Use runway incursion avoidance procedures, if applicable.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Normal and Crosswind Approach Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level normal and crosswind approach 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.