Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Aircraft Systems Related to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Operations Lesson Plan
Instrument Rating (Helicopter) • ACS Area II, Task A
The Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Aircraft Systems Related to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Operations 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 anti-icing or deicing systems, and other systems related to IFR flight.
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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; AC 91-74; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-15, 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:
- The general operational characteristics and limitations of applicable anti-icing and deicing systems, including airframe, rotor, intake, fuel, and pitot-static systems. (IH.II.A.K1)
- Flight control systems. (IH.II.A.K2)
- Use realistic helicopter IFR scenarios to teach and assess the following risk-management elements:
- Operations in icing conditions. (IH.II.A.R1)
- Limitations of anti-icing and deicing systems. (IH.II.A.R2)
- Use of automated systems in instrument conditions. (IH.II.A.R3)
- Demonstrate, coach, and assess the following skills:
- Demonstrate familiarity with anti-icing or deicing procedures or information published by the manufacturer specific to the helicopter used on the practical test. (IH.II.A.S1)
- Demonstrate familiarity with the automatic flight control system (AFCS) procedures or information published by the manufacturer specific to the aircraft used on the practical test, if applicable. (IH.II.A.S2)
- Syllabus Objective Coverage:
- Explain the general operational characteristics and limitations of applicable anti-icing and deicing systems, including airframe, rotor, intake, fuel, and pitot-static systems in a helicopter IFR operating context.
- Explain helicopter flight-control, stability-augmentation, trim, and automatic-flight-control systems used for IFR operations.
- Assess and manage operations in icing conditions.
- Assess and manage limitations of anti-icing and deicing systems.
- Assess and manage automation mode, coupling, monitoring, and failure risks in instrument conditions.
- Demonstrate familiarity with anti-icing or deicing procedures or information published by the manufacturer specific to the helicopter used on the practical test.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the automatic flight control system (AFCS) procedures or information published by the manufacturer specific to the aircraft used on the practical test, if applicable.
- 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) Aircraft Systems Related to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Operations Lesson Plan
Airman Certification Standards
Instrument Rating (Helicopter) Aircraft Systems Related to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Operations Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with anti-icing or deicing systems, and other systems related to IFR flight.
- References: 14 CFR part 91; AC 91-74; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
▤ Knowledge 2 ACS Elements
-
IH.II.A.K1: The general operational characteristics and limitations of applicable anti-icing and deicing systems, including airframe, rotor, intake, fuel, and pitot-static systems. -
IH.II.A.K2: Flight control systems.
! Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
-
IH.II.A.R1: Operations in icing conditions. -
IH.II.A.R2: Limitations of anti-icing and deicing systems. -
IH.II.A.R3: Use of automated systems in instrument conditions.
✓ Skills 2 ACS Elements
-
IH.II.A.S1: Demonstrate familiarity with anti-icing or deicing procedures or information published by the manufacturer specific to the helicopter used on the practical test. -
IH.II.A.S2: Demonstrate familiarity with the automatic flight control system (AFCS) procedures or information published by the manufacturer specific to the aircraft used on the practical test, if applicable.
Conclusion
- Review the objective, risks, performance strengths, and retraining needs.
- Record progress and assign the next applicable lesson.