Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Steep Approach Lesson Plan

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

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

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Steep Approach Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Attention Getter:

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

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Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Steep 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:

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Steep 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 A stabilized steep approach. (CH.V.D.K1)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Approach techniques and applicability. (CH.V.D.K2)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Performance data and the height velocity (H/V) diagram. (CH.V.D.K3)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Effects of atmospheric conditions on approach and landing performance. (CH.V.D.K4)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Wind correction techniques. (CH.V.D.K5)
    • Explain, correlate, and assess the learner's understanding of Aircraft performance and limitations. (CH.V.D.K6)
  • 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.D.R1)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Effects of: (CH.V.D.R2)
      • Wind Direction (CH.V.D.R2a)
      • Windshear (CH.V.D.R2b)
      • Turbulence, including wake turbulence (CH.V.D.R2c)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Planning for: (CH.V.D.R3)
      • Rejected landing and go-around (CH.V.D.R3a)
      • Powerplant failure during the approach (CH.V.D.R3b)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Collision hazards. (CH.V.D.R4)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Vortex ring state (VRS). (CH.V.D.R5)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Landing surface. (CH.V.D.R6)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Aircraft limitations. (CH.V.D.R7)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. (CH.V.D.R8)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). (CH.V.D.R9)
    • Use a commercial helicopter scenario to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with Degraded Visual Environment (DVE) and flat light conditions. (CH.V.D.R10)
  • Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Complete the appropriate checklist(s). (CH.V.D.S1)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Make radio calls as appropriate. (CH.V.D.S2)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Consider the wind direction and conditions, landing surface, and obstacles. (CH.V.D.S3)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Select a suitable termination point. (CH.V.D.S4)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Establish and maintain a steep approach angle, (15° maximum) and proper rate of closure. (CH.V.D.S5)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain proper ground track with crosswind correction, if necessary. (CH.V.D.S6)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits. (CH.V.D.S7)
    • 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.D.S8)
    • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the learner's ability to Use runway incursion avoidance procedures, if applicable. (CH.V.D.S9)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain a stabilized steep approach.
    • Explain approach techniques and applicability.
    • Explain performance data and the height velocity (H/V) diagram.
    • Explain effects of atmospheric conditions on approach and landing performance.
    • Explain wind correction techniques.
    • Explain aircraft performance and limitations.
    • Apply aircraft performance and limitations to the aircraft, conditions, or flight scenario presented.
    • 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 wind Direction.
    • Assess and manage windshear.
    • Assess and manage turbulence, including wake turbulence.
    • Assess and manage planning for.
    • Assess and manage rejected landing and go-around.
    • Assess and manage powerplant failure during the approach.
    • 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 aircraft limitations.
    • Defer nonessential tasks when steep-turn workload threatens aircraft control.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
    • Restore aircraft control and orientation before resuming a disrupted maneuver.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
    • Correct fixation by restoring aircraft-control, orientation, and traffic cross-checks.
    • Apply reliable attitude references to restore control and orientation after distraction.
    • Assess and manage loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
    • Assess and manage degraded Visual Environment (DVE) and flat light conditions.
    • Demonstrate the ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate the ability to make radio calls as appropriate.
    • Demonstrate consider the wind direction and conditions, landing surface, and obstacles.
    • Select a suitable termination point.
    • Establish and maintain a steep approach angle, (15° maximum) and proper rate of closure.
    • Maintain proper ground track with crosswind correction, if necessary.
    • 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) Steep 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) Steep 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) Steep Approach Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Steep Approach Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with steep approach.
  • References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 6 ACS Elements
  • CH.V.D.K1:
    A stabilized steep approach.
  • CH.V.D.K2:
    Approach techniques and applicability.
  • CH.V.D.K3:
    Performance data and the height velocity (H/V) diagram.
  • CH.V.D.K4:
    Effects of atmospheric conditions on approach and landing performance.
  • CH.V.D.K5:
    Wind correction techniques.
  • CH.V.D.K6:
    Aircraft performance and limitations.
Risk Management 10 ACS Elements
  • CH.V.D.R1:
    Selection of approach path and landing based on aircraft performance and limitations, and wind.
  • CH.V.D.R2:
    Effects of:
    • CH.V.D.R2a:
      Wind Direction
    • CH.V.D.R2b:
      Windshear
    • CH.V.D.R2c:
      Turbulence, including wake turbulence
  • CH.V.D.R3:
    Planning for:
    • CH.V.D.R3a:
      Rejected landing and go-around
    • CH.V.D.R3b:
      Powerplant failure during the approach
  • CH.V.D.R4:
    Collision hazards.
  • CH.V.D.R5:
    Vortex ring state (VRS).
  • CH.V.D.R6:
    Landing surface.
  • CH.V.D.R7:
    Aircraft limitations.
  • CH.V.D.R8:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • CH.V.D.R9:
    Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
  • CH.V.D.R10:
    Degraded Visual Environment (DVE) and flat light conditions.
Skills 9 ACS Elements
  • CH.V.D.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • CH.V.D.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • CH.V.D.S3:
    Consider the wind direction and conditions, landing surface, and obstacles.
  • CH.V.D.S4:
    Select a suitable termination point.
  • CH.V.D.S5:
    Establish and maintain a steep approach angle, (15° maximum) and proper rate of closure.
  • CH.V.D.S6:
    Maintain proper ground track with crosswind correction, if necessary.
  • CH.V.D.S7:
    Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
  • CH.V.D.S8:
    Arrive at the termination point, on the surface or at a stabilized hover ±2 feet.
  • CH.V.D.S9:
    Use runway incursion avoidance procedures, if applicable.
Commercial Pilot (Helicopter) Steep Approach Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Commercial-level steep 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.