Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Rolling Takeoff (Wheel-Type Landing Gear) Lesson Plan

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

The Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Rolling Takeoff (Wheel-Type Landing Gear) Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-16.

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Rolling Takeoff (Wheel-Type Landing Gear) Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a realistic commercial helicopter operation in which the outcome depends on sound rolling takeoff (wheel-type landing gear) 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 rolling takeoff with wheel-type landing gear.

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) Rolling Takeoff (Wheel-Type Landing Gear) 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: 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) Rolling Takeoff (Wheel-Type Landing Gear) 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 a rolling takeoff. (CH.V.E.K1)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude. (CH.V.E.K2)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Situations when a rolling takeoff is recommended and factors related to takeoff and climb performance. (CH.V.E.K3)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Translational lift. (CH.V.E.K4)
  • 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.E.R1)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Effects of: (CH.V.E.R2)
      • Wind Direction (CH.V.E.R2a)
      • Windshear (CH.V.E.R2b)
      • Turbulence, including wake turbulence (CH.V.E.R2c)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Planning for: (CH.V.E.R3)
      • Height/Velocity (H/V) considerations (CH.V.E.R3a)
      • Rejected takeoff (CH.V.E.R3b)
      • Powerplant failure during takeoff/climb phase of flight (CH.V.E.R3c)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Collision hazards. (CH.V.E.R4)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Takeoff surface. (CH.V.E.R5)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Landing gear. (CH.V.E.R6)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. (CH.V.E.R7)
  • Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Complete the appropriate checklist(s). (CH.V.E.S1)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Make radio calls as appropriate. (CH.V.E.S2)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators. (CH.V.E.S3)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Verify assigned/correct takeoff path. (CH.V.E.S4)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits. (CH.V.E.S5)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Use control inputs that initiate the takeoff roll. (CH.V.E.S6)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain proper ground track with crosswind correction, while accelerating. (CH.V.E.S7)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Transition to a normal climb airspeed, ±5 knots, and set appropriate power. (CH.V.E.S8)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain proper ground track with crosswind correction after liftoff. (CH.V.E.S9)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Use runway incursion avoidance procedures, if applicable. (CH.V.E.S10)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain elements of a rolling takeoff.
    • Explain effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
    • Explain situations when a rolling takeoff is recommended and factors related to takeoff and climb performance.
    • Explain translational lift.
    • 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 wind Direction.
    • Assess and manage windshear.
    • Assess and manage turbulence, including wake turbulence.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with planning for.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with planning for.
    • Assess and manage height/Velocity (H/V) considerations.
    • Assess and manage rejected takeoff.
    • Assess and manage powerplant failure during 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 takeoff surface.
    • Assess and manage landing gear.
    • 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.
    • Demonstrate the ability to determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
    • Demonstrate the ability to verify assigned/correct takeoff path.
    • Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
    • Use control inputs that initiate the takeoff roll.
    • Maintain proper ground track with crosswind correction, while accelerating.
    • Transition to a normal climb airspeed, ±5 knots, and set appropriate power.
    • Maintain proper ground track with crosswind correction after liftoff.
    • 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) Rolling Takeoff (Wheel-Type Landing Gear) 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) Rolling Takeoff (Wheel-Type Landing Gear) 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) Rolling Takeoff (Wheel-Type Landing Gear) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Rolling Takeoff (Wheel-Type Landing Gear) Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with rolling takeoff with wheel-type landing gear.
  • References: 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.E.K1:
    Elements of a rolling takeoff.
  • CH.V.E.K2:
    Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
  • CH.V.E.K4:
    Translational lift.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
  • CH.V.E.R1:
    Selection of takeoff path based on helicopter performance and limitations, available distance, and wind.
  • CH.V.E.R2:
    Effects of:
    • CH.V.E.R2a:
      Wind Direction
    • CH.V.E.R2b:
      Windshear
    • CH.V.E.R2c:
      Turbulence, including wake turbulence
  • CH.V.E.R3:
    Planning for:
    • CH.V.E.R3a:
      Height/Velocity (H/V) considerations
    • CH.V.E.R3b:
      Rejected takeoff
    • CH.V.E.R3c:
      Powerplant failure during takeoff/climb phase of flight
  • CH.V.E.R4:
    Collision hazards.
  • CH.V.E.R5:
    Takeoff surface.
  • CH.V.E.R6:
    Landing gear.
  • CH.V.E.R7:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 10 ACS Elements
  • CH.V.E.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • CH.V.E.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • CH.V.E.S3:
    Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
  • CH.V.E.S4:
    Verify assigned/correct takeoff path.
  • CH.V.E.S5:
    Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
  • CH.V.E.S6:
    Use control inputs that initiate the takeoff roll.
  • CH.V.E.S7:
    Maintain proper ground track with crosswind correction, while accelerating.
  • CH.V.E.S8:
    Transition to a normal climb airspeed, ±5 knots, and set appropriate power.
  • CH.V.E.S9:
    Maintain proper ground track with crosswind correction after liftoff.
  • CH.V.E.S10:
    Use runway incursion avoidance procedures, if applicable.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Rolling Takeoff (Wheel-Type Landing Gear) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level rolling takeoff (wheel-type landing gear) 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.