Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Checking Instruments and Equipment Lesson Plan
Instrument Rating (Helicopter) • ACS Area VIII, Task A
The Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Checking Instruments and Equipment 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 checking flight instruments and equipment during postflight.
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-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
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 for documenting in-flight/postflight discrepancies. (IH.VIII.A.K1)
- Use realistic helicopter IFR scenarios to teach and assess the following risk-management elements:
- Performance and documentation of postflight inspection and helicopter discrepancies. (IH.VIII.A.R1)
- Demonstrate, coach, and assess the following skills:
- Conduct a postflight inspection and document discrepancies and servicing requirements, if any. (IH.VIII.A.S1)
- Syllabus Objective Coverage:
- Explain procedures for documenting in-flight/postflight discrepancies.
- Identify, assess, and select effective controls for risks associated with performance and documentation of postflight inspection and helicopter discrepancies.
- Conduct a postflight inspection and document discrepancies and servicing requirements, if any.
- 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.
Airman Certification Standards
Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Checking Instruments and Equipment Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with checking flight instruments and equipment during postflight.
- References: 14 CFR part 91; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 1 ACS Element
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IH.VIII.A.K1: Procedures for documenting in-flight/postflight discrepancies.
Risk Management 1 ACS Element
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IH.VIII.A.R1: Performance and documentation of postflight inspection and helicopter discrepancies.
Skills 1 ACS Element
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IH.VIII.A.S1: Conduct a postflight inspection and document discrepancies and servicing requirements, if any.
Conclusion
- Review the objective, risks, performance strengths, and retraining needs.
- Record progress and assign the next applicable lesson.