Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Non-precision Approach Lesson Plan

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

The Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Non-precision 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 non-precision approach procedures solely by reference to instruments.

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

Materials

  • FAA-S-ACS-14.
  • Model-specific Rotorcraft Flight Manual, approved checklist, IFR supplements, and installed-equipment guides.
  • Task references: 14 CFR part 91; AC 120-108; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-16, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; Terminal Procedures Publications
  • ACS note: See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.

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 and limitations associated with a non-precision approach, including the differences between Localizer Performance (LP) and Lateral Navigation (LNAV) approach guidance. (IH.VI.A.K1)
    • Navigation system indications and annunciations expected during an area navigation (RNAV) approach. (IH.VI.A.K2)
    • Ground-based and satellite-based navigation systems used for a non-precision approach. (IH.VI.A.K3)
    • A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts. (IH.VI.A.K4)
    • Copter Point-in-Space (PinS) approaches. (IH.VI.A.K5)
  • Use realistic helicopter IFR scenarios to teach and assess the following risk-management elements:
    • Deviating from the assigned approach procedure. (IH.VI.A.R1)
    • Selecting a navigation frequency. (IH.VI.A.R2)
    • Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems. (IH.VI.A.R3)
    • Helicopter configuration during an approach and missed approach. (IH.VI.A.R4)
    • An unstable approach, including excessive descent rates. (IH.VI.A.R5)
    • Deteriorating weather conditions on approach. (IH.VI.A.R6)
    • Operating below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) without proper visual references. (IH.VI.A.R7)
  • Demonstrate, coach, and assess the following skills:
    • Accomplish the non-precision instrument approaches selected by the evaluator. (IH.VI.A.S1)
    • Establish two-way communications with air traffic control (ATC) appropriate for the phase of flight or approach segment, and use proper communication phraseology. (IH.VI.A.S2)
    • Select, tune, identify, and confirm the operational status of navigation equipment to be used for the approach. (IH.VI.A.S3)
    • Comply with all clearances issued by ATC or the evaluator. (IH.VI.A.S4)
    • Recognize if any flight instrumentation is inaccurate or inoperative, and take appropriate action. (IH.VI.A.S5)
    • Advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance. (IH.VI.A.S6)
    • Complete the appropriate checklist(s). (IH.VI.A.S7)
    • Establish the appropriate helicopter configuration and airspeed considering meteorological and operating conditions. (IH.VI.A.S8)
    • Maintain altitude ±100 feet, selected heading ±10°, airspeed ±10 knots, no more than ¾ scale CDI deflection, and accurately track radials, courses, or bearings, prior to beginning the final approach segment. (IH.VI.A.S9)
    • Adjust the published MDA and visibility criteria for the aircraft approach category, as appropriate, for factors that include Notices of Air Missions (NOTAMs), inoperative aircraft or navigation equipment, or inoperative visual aids associated with the landing environment, etc. (IH.VI.A.S10)
    • Establish a stabilized descent to the appropriate altitude. (IH.VI.A.S11)
    • For the final approach segment, maintain no more than ¾ scale CDI deflection, airspeed ±10 knots, and altitude, if applicable, above MDA +100/-0 feet to the Visual Descent Point (VDP) or missed approach point (MAP). (IH.VI.A.S12)
    • Assess if the required visual references are available, and either initiate the missed approach procedure or continue for landing. (IH.VI.A.S13)
    • Use a multi-function display (MFD) and other graphical navigation displays, if installed, to monitor position, track wind drift, and to maintain situational awareness. (IH.VI.A.S14)
    • Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate. (IH.VI.A.S15)
  • Syllabus Objective Coverage:
    • Explain procedures and limitations associated with a non-precision approach, including the differences between Localizer Performance (LP) and Lateral Navigation (LNAV) approach guidance.
    • Explain navigation system indications and annunciations expected during an area navigation (RNAV) approach.
    • Explain ground-based and satellite-based navigation systems used for a non-precision approach.
    • Explain a stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
    • Apply a stabilized approach, including energy management concepts to the aircraft, conditions, or flight scenario presented.
    • Identify the factors used to assess a stabilized approach.
    • Identify stabilized-approach criteria that must be maintained through the decision to land.
    • Discontinue an approach when stabilized criteria cannot be achieved or maintained.
    • Distinguish a go-around from a rejected landing while applying the same core priorities.
    • Explain why a stabilized approach improves landing predictability.
    • Recognize an unrecoverable low-energy approach and select a go-around.
    • Explain Copter Point-in-Space (PinS) approaches in a helicopter IFR operating context.
    • Assess and manage deviating from the assigned approach procedure.
    • Assess and manage selecting a navigation frequency.
    • 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.
    • Identify, assess, and select effective controls for risks associated with helicopter configuration during an approach and missed approach.
    • Assess and manage an unstable approach, including excessive descent rates.
    • Assess and manage deteriorating weather conditions on approach.
    • Assess and manage operating below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) without proper visual references.
    • Integrate the component skills required to accomplish a nonprecision instrument approach.
    • Establish two-way communications with air traffic control (ATC) appropriate for the phase of flight or approach segment, and use proper communication phraseology.
    • Select, tune, identify, and confirm the operational status of navigation equipment to be used for the approach.
    • Comply with all clearances issued by ATC or the evaluator.
    • Recognize if any flight instrumentation is inaccurate or inoperative, and take appropriate action.
    • Advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance.
    • Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Establish the appropriate helicopter configuration and airspeed considering meteorological and operating conditions.
    • Maintain altitude ±100 feet, selected heading ±10°, airspeed ±10 knots, no more than ¾ scale CDI deflection, and accurately track radials, courses, or bearings, prior to beginning the final approach segment.
    • Adjust the published MDA and visibility criteria for the aircraft approach category, as appropriate, for factors that include Notices of Air Missions (NOTAMs), inoperative aircraft or navigation equipment, or inoperative visual aids associated with the landing environment, etc.
    • Establish a stabilized descent to the appropriate altitude.
    • For the final approach segment, maintain no more than ¾ scale CDI deflection, airspeed ±10 knots, and altitude, if applicable, above MDA +100/-0 feet to the Visual Descent Point (VDP) or missed approach point (MAP).
    • Assess if the required visual references are available, and either initiate the missed approach procedure or continue for landing.
    • Use a multi-function display (MFD) and other graphical navigation displays, if installed, to monitor position, track wind drift, and to maintain situational awareness.
    • 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) Non-precision Approach Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Non-precision Approach Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with performing non-precision approach procedures solely by reference to instruments.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; AC 120-108; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-16, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; Terminal Procedures Publications
  • Note: See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
Knowledge 5 ACS Elements
  • IH.VI.A.K1:
    Procedures and limitations associated with a non-precision approach, including the differences between Localizer Performance (LP) and Lateral Navigation (LNAV) approach guidance.
  • IH.VI.A.K2:
    Navigation system indications and annunciations expected during an area navigation (RNAV) approach.
  • IH.VI.A.K3:
    Ground-based and satellite-based navigation systems used for a non-precision approach.
  • IH.VI.A.K4:
    A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
  • IH.VI.A.K5:
    Copter Point-in-Space (PinS) approaches.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
  • IH.VI.A.R1:
    Deviating from the assigned approach procedure.
  • IH.VI.A.R2:
    Selecting a navigation frequency.
  • IH.VI.A.R3:
    Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
  • IH.VI.A.R4:
    Helicopter configuration during an approach and missed approach.
  • IH.VI.A.R5:
    An unstable approach, including excessive descent rates.
  • IH.VI.A.R6:
    Deteriorating weather conditions on approach.
  • IH.VI.A.R7:
    Operating below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) without proper visual references.
Skills 15 ACS Elements
  • IH.VI.A.S1:
    Accomplish the non-precision instrument approaches selected by the evaluator.
  • IH.VI.A.S2:
    Establish two-way communications with air traffic control (ATC) appropriate for the phase of flight or approach segment, and use proper communication phraseology.
  • IH.VI.A.S3:
    Select, tune, identify, and confirm the operational status of navigation equipment to be used for the approach.
  • IH.VI.A.S4:
    Comply with all clearances issued by ATC or the evaluator.
  • IH.VI.A.S5:
    Recognize if any flight instrumentation is inaccurate or inoperative, and take appropriate action.
  • IH.VI.A.S6:
    Advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance.
  • IH.VI.A.S7:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • IH.VI.A.S8:
    Establish the appropriate helicopter configuration and airspeed considering meteorological and operating conditions.
  • IH.VI.A.S9:
    Maintain altitude ±100 feet, selected heading ±10°, airspeed ±10 knots, no more than ¾ scale CDI deflection, and accurately track radials, courses, or bearings, prior to beginning the final approach segment.
  • IH.VI.A.S10:
    Adjust the published MDA and visibility criteria for the aircraft approach category, as appropriate, for factors that include Notices of Air Missions (NOTAMs), inoperative aircraft or navigation equipment, or inoperative visual aids associated with the landing environment, etc.
  • IH.VI.A.S11:
    Establish a stabilized descent to the appropriate altitude.
  • IH.VI.A.S12:
    For the final approach segment, maintain no more than ¾ scale CDI deflection, airspeed ±10 knots, and altitude, if applicable, above MDA +100/-0 feet to the Visual Descent Point (VDP) or missed approach point (MAP).
  • IH.VI.A.S13:
    Assess if the required visual references are available, and either initiate the missed approach procedure or continue for landing.
  • IH.VI.A.S14:
    Use a multi-function display (MFD) and other graphical navigation displays, if installed, to monitor position, track wind drift, and to maintain situational awareness.
  • IH.VI.A.S15:
    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.