Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Loss of Communications Lesson Plan

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

The Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Loss of Communications 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 loss of communications while operating solely by reference to 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; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-16, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25

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:
    • Procedures to follow in the event of lost communication during various phases of flight, including techniques for reestablishing communications, when it is acceptable to deviate from an instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance, and when to begin an approach at the destination. (IH.VII.A.K1)
  • Use realistic helicopter IFR scenarios to teach and assess the following risk-management elements:
    • Possible reasons for loss of communication. (IH.VII.A.R1)
    • Deviation from procedures for lost communications. (IH.VII.A.R2)
  • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the following skills:
    • Recognize a simulated loss of communication. (IH.VII.A.S1)
    • Simulate actions to re-establish communication. (IH.VII.A.S2)
    • Determine whether to continue to flight plan destination or deviate. (IH.VII.A.S3)
    • Determine appropriate time to begin an approach. (IH.VII.A.S4)
    • Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate. (IH.VII.A.S5)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain procedures to follow in the event of lost communication during various phases of flight, including techniques for reestablishing communications, when it is acceptable to deviate from an instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance, and when to begin an approach at the destination.
    • Assess and manage possible reasons for loss of communication.
    • Assess and manage deviation from procedures for lost communications.
    • Recognize a simulated loss of communication.
    • Simulate actions to re-establish communication.
    • Determine whether to continue to flight plan destination or deviate.
    • Determine appropriate time to begin an approach.
    • 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) Loss of Communications Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Loss of Communications Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with loss of communications while operating solely by reference to instruments.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-16, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25
Knowledge 1 ACS Element
  • IH.VII.A.K1:
    Procedures to follow in the event of lost communication during various phases of flight, including techniques for reestablishing communications, when it is acceptable to deviate from an instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance, and when to begin an approach at the destination.
Risk Management 2 ACS Elements
  • IH.VII.A.R1:
    Possible reasons for loss of communication.
  • IH.VII.A.R2:
    Deviation from procedures for lost communications.
Skills 5 ACS Elements
  • IH.VII.A.S1:
    Recognize a simulated loss of communication.
  • IH.VII.A.S2:
    Simulate actions to re-establish communication.
  • IH.VII.A.S3:
    Determine whether to continue to flight plan destination or deviate.
  • IH.VII.A.S4:
    Determine appropriate time to begin an approach.
  • IH.VII.A.S5:
    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.