Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating (Helicopter) • ACS Area VII, Task C

The Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and flight skills required by FAA-S-ACS-14.

Introduction

  • Attention Getter: Present an IFR helicopter operation in which small errors, changing weather, automation, or workload can rapidly erode terrain, obstacle, power, or control margins.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with performing an approach solely by reference to instruments with the loss of primary flight control instruments.

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Materials

  • FAA-S-ACS-14.
  • Model-specific Rotorcraft Flight Manual, approved checklist, IFR supplements, and installed-equipment guides.
  • Task references: 14 CFR part 91; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM; Terminal Procedures Publications

Instructor Actions

  • Teach the task progressively in realistic helicopter IFR context and preserve aircraft control, obstacle clearance, power margin, and workload capacity.
  • Teach and assess the following knowledge elements:
    • Recognizing if primary flight instruments are inaccurate or inoperative, and advising ATC or the evaluator. (IH.VII.C.K1)
    • Possible failure modes of primary instruments and how to correct or minimize the effect of the loss. (IH.VII.C.K2)
  • Use realistic helicopter IFR scenarios to teach and assess the following risk-management elements:
    • Use of secondary flight displays when primary displays have failed. (IH.VII.C.R1)
    • Maintaining helicopter control. (IH.VII.C.R2)
    • Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. (IH.VII.C.R3)
  • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the following skills:
    • Advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance. (IH.VII.C.S1)
    • Complete a non-precision instrument approach without the use of the primary flight instruments using the skill elements of the non-precision approach Task (see Area of Operation VI, Task A). (IH.VII.C.S2)
    • Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate. (IH.VII.C.S3)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain recognizing if primary flight instruments are inaccurate or inoperative, and advising ATC or the evaluator.
    • Explain possible failure modes of primary instruments and how to correct or minimize the effect of the loss.
    • Assess and manage use of secondary or reversionary flight displays after a primary display failure.
    • Identify, assess, and select effective controls for risks associated with maintaining helicopter control.
    • Identify distraction, fixation, task-prioritization, situational-awareness, and disorientation hazards during a partial-panel instrument approach.
    • Prioritize reliable instruments, helicopter control, navigation, and a safe approach or missed approach over nonessential communication or troubleshooting.
    • Interrupt checklist or troubleshooting fixation to preserve control and the partial-panel approach flightpath.
    • Defer nonessential radio details while preserving partial-panel control and terrain or obstacle clearance.
    • Integrate partial-panel control, threat response, navigation, communications, and landing priorities.
    • Advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance.
    • Complete a non-precision instrument approach without the use of the primary flight instruments using the skill elements of the non-precision approach Task (see Area of Operation VI, Task A).
    • Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
  • Use the current RFM, checklist, limitations, charts, procedures, and ATC information; document deficiencies and retraining.

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Use an IFR helicopter flight involving changing weather, terrain or obstacles, route constraints, automation, and external pressure.
  • Introduce a meaningful change in clearance, equipment status, weather, landing area, fuel, power margin, or workload and require a revised decision.
  • Require a self-critique tied to every applicable ACS element and helicopter limitation.

Student Actions

  • Complete assigned study and review the RFM, checklist, charts, and procedures.
  • Explain each knowledge element in operational context.
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate each applicable risk.
  • Demonstrate each applicable skill within FAA-S-ACS-14 standards and helicopter limitations.
  • Make and defend appropriate continue, delay, divert, missed-approach, or discontinue decisions.
Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with performing an approach solely by reference to instruments with the loss of primary flight control instruments.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM; Terminal Procedures Publications
Knowledge 2 ACS Elements
  • IH.VII.C.K1:
    Recognizing if primary flight instruments are inaccurate or inoperative, and advising ATC or the evaluator.
  • IH.VII.C.K2:
    Possible failure modes of primary instruments and how to correct or minimize the effect of the loss.
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
  • IH.VII.C.R1:
    Use of secondary flight displays when primary displays have failed.
  • IH.VII.C.R2:
    Maintaining helicopter control.
  • IH.VII.C.R3:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 3 ACS Elements
  • IH.VII.C.S1:
    Advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance.
  • IH.VII.C.S2:
    Complete a non-precision instrument approach without the use of the primary flight instruments using the skill elements of the non-precision approach Task (see Area of Operation VI, Task A).
  • IH.VII.C.S3:
    Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.

Conclusion

  • Review the objective, risks, performance strengths, and retraining needs.
  • Record progress and assign the next applicable lesson.