Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Missed Approach Lesson Plan

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

The Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Missed Approach 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 a missed approach procedure 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 parts 91, 97; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-16, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; 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:
    • Elements related to missed approach procedures and limitations associated with standard instrument approaches, including while using a flight management system (FMS) or autopilot, if equipped. (IH.VI.C.K1)
  • Use realistic helicopter IFR scenarios to teach and assess the following risk-management elements:
    • Deviations from prescribed procedures or ATC instructions. (IH.VI.C.R1)
    • Holding, diverting, or electing to fly the approach again. (IH.VI.C.R2)
    • Helicopter configuration during an approach and missed approach. (IH.VI.C.R3)
    • Factors that might lead to executing a missed approach procedure before the MAP or to a go-around below DA, DH, or MDA, as applicable. (IH.VI.C.R4)
    • Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems. (IH.VI.C.R5)
  • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the following skills:
    • Promptly initiate the missed approach procedure and report it to ATC. (IH.VI.C.S1)
    • Apply the appropriate power setting and configure the helicopter to establish a positive rate of climb in accordance with the POH/RFM. (IH.VI.C.S2)
    • Comply with the published or alternate missed approach procedure. (IH.VI.C.S3)
    • Advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance, restriction, or climb gradient. (IH.VI.C.S4)
    • Follow the recommended checklist items appropriate to the missed approach/go-around procedure. (IH.VI.C.S5)
    • Maintain the recommended airspeed ±10 knots; heading, course, or bearing ±10°; and altitude(s) ±100 feet during the missed approach procedure. (IH.VI.C.S6)
    • Use an MFD and other graphical navigation displays, if installed, to monitor position and track to help navigate the missed approach. (IH.VI.C.S7)
    • Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate. (IH.VI.C.S8)
    • Request ATC clearance to attempt another approach, proceed to the alternate airport, holding fix, or other clearance limit, as appropriate, or as directed by the evaluator. (IH.VI.C.S9)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain elements related to missed approach procedures and limitations associated with standard instrument approaches, including while using a flight management system (FMS) or autopilot, if equipped.
    • Assess and manage deviations from prescribed procedures or ATC instructions.
    • Assess and manage holding, diverting, or electing to fly the approach again.
    • Identify, assess, and select effective controls for risks associated with helicopter configuration during an approach and missed approach.
    • Assess and manage factors that might lead to executing a missed approach procedure before the MAP or to a go-around below DA, DH, or MDA, as applicable.
    • Identify and assess the hazards associated with management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
    • Select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
    • Promptly initiate the missed approach procedure and report it to ATC.
    • Apply the appropriate power and configure the helicopter to establish a positive rate of climb in accordance with the RFM.
    • Comply with the published or alternate missed approach procedure.
    • Advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance, restriction, or climb gradient.
    • Follow the recommended checklist items appropriate to the missed approach/go-around procedure.
    • Maintain the recommended airspeed ±10 knots; heading, course, or bearing ±10°; and altitude(s) ±100 feet during the missed approach procedure.
    • Use an MFD and other graphical navigation displays, if installed, to monitor position and track to help navigate the missed approach.
    • Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
    • Request ATC clearance to attempt another approach, proceed to the alternate airport, holding fix, or other clearance limit, as appropriate, or as directed by the evaluator.
  • 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) Missed Approach Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Missed Approach Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with performing a missed approach procedure solely by reference to instruments.
  • References: 14 CFR parts 91, 97; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-16, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; Terminal Procedures Publications
Knowledge 1 ACS Element
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
  • IH.VI.C.R1:
    Deviations from prescribed procedures or ATC instructions.
  • IH.VI.C.R2:
    Holding, diverting, or electing to fly the approach again.
  • IH.VI.C.R3:
    Helicopter configuration during an approach and missed approach.
  • IH.VI.C.R4:
    Factors that might lead to executing a missed approach procedure before the MAP or to a go-around below DA, DH, or MDA, as applicable.
  • IH.VI.C.R5:
    Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
Skills 9 ACS Elements
  • IH.VI.C.S1:
    Promptly initiate the missed approach procedure and report it to ATC.
  • IH.VI.C.S2:
    Apply the appropriate power setting and configure the helicopter to establish a positive rate of climb in accordance with the POH/RFM.
  • IH.VI.C.S3:
    Comply with the published or alternate missed approach procedure.
  • IH.VI.C.S4:
    Advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance, restriction, or climb gradient.
  • IH.VI.C.S7:
    Use an MFD and other graphical navigation displays, if installed, to monitor position and track to help navigate the missed approach.
  • IH.VI.C.S8:
    Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
  • IH.VI.C.S9:
    Request ATC clearance to attempt another approach, proceed to the alternate airport, holding fix, or other clearance limit, as appropriate, or as directed by the evaluator.

Conclusion

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