Private Pilot (Helicopter) Traffic Patterns Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Helicopter) • ACS Area III, Task C

The Private Pilot (Helicopter) Traffic Patterns Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-15.

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Traffic Patterns Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Knowledge Elements:
    0:20
    Part 3, Risk Management:
    0:15
    Part 4, Skill Development:
    0:30
    Part 5, Guided Scenario(s):
    0:20
    Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a helicopter scenario in which the outcome depends on sound traffic patterns knowledge, risk management, and technique.
    • Ask the student to identify the earliest decision or control input that determines a safe outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with traffic patterns.

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Private Pilot (Helicopter) Traffic Patterns Lesson Plan

Materials

  • Required Materials:

    • Writing instrument and instructional surface.
    • FAA-S-ACS-15, Private Pilot for Rotorcraft Category Helicopter Rating Airman Certification Standards.
    • Student training record and applicable lesson records.

  • Optional Materials:

    • Model-specific Pilot's Operating Handbook or Rotorcraft Flight Manual (POH/RFM).
    • Manufacturer-approved checklist and performance data.
    • Current charts, Chart Supplement, NOTAMs, and electronic flight bag, as applicable.
    • Helicopter, cockpit procedures trainer, or approved training device, as appropriate.

  • Reference Materials:

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Traffic Patterns Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review the reference materials, helicopter limitations, and local operating considerations.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Knowledge Elements:
    • Explain and discuss PH.III.C.K1: Towered and nontowered airport/heliport/helipad/landing area operations and restrictions.
    • Explain and discuss PH.III.C.K2: Traffic pattern for the current conditions.
    • Explain and discuss PH.III.C.K3: Right-of-way rules.
    • Explain and discuss PH.III.C.K4: Use of automated weather and airport/heliport information.
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.III.C.R1: Collision hazards.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.III.C.R2: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.III.C.R3: Windshear and wake turbulence.
    • Require the student to verbalize trigger points for discontinuing or modifying the operation.
  • Part 4, Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.III.C.S1: Identify and interpret airport/heliport/helipad/landing area runways, taxiways, markings, signs, and lighting.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.III.C.S2: Comply with recommended helicopter traffic pattern procedures, as appropriate.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.III.C.S3: Correct for wind drift to maintain the proper ground track.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.III.C.S4: Maintain orientation with the runway/landing area in use, as applicable.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.III.C.S5: Maintain traffic pattern altitude, ±100 feet, and the appropriate airspeed, ±10 knots.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.III.C.S6: Maintain situational awareness and proper spacing from other traffic or avoid the flow of fixed-wing traffic, as appropriate. Note: Task D must be tested in addition to the other Tasks if the applicant supplies a helicopter with wheel-type landing gear.
    • Apply the helicopter POH/RFM, checklist, limitations, and FAA safety-of-flight guidance throughout the demonstration and practice.
  • Part 5, Guided Scenario(s):
    • Lead the guided scenario.
    • Evaluate the student's decisions and performance against every applicable ACS element.
  • Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:
    • Review the lesson objective, identified risks, performance strengths, and items requiring additional practice.
    • Present the re-motivation and closure.
  • Update instructor records and the student's training record, as required.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Traffic Patterns Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with traffic patterns.
  • Ask the student to identify hazards, including Collision hazards., and explain how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the student to brief, perform, or explain how to Identify and interpret airport/heliport/helipad/landing area runways, taxiways, markings, signs, and lighting., as appropriate to the task and training environment.
  • Introduce a realistic change in wind, power available, landing area, traffic, system status, or external pressure and require the student to reassess the plan.
  • Conclude with a self-critique tied to the ACS knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Traffic Patterns Lesson Plan

Student Actions

  • Complete assigned readings and review the model-specific POH/RFM and checklist.
  • Explain the applicable knowledge elements in scenario context rather than by rote recall.
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate the risks associated with the task.
  • Demonstrate or explain each applicable skill within ACS standards and helicopter limitations.
  • Ask pertinent questions, perform a self-assessment, and make appropriate go/no-go or continue/discontinue decisions.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Traffic Patterns Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Traffic Patterns Airman Certification Standards

  • Area of Operation III: Airport and Heliport Operations.
  • Task C: Traffic Patterns.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with traffic patterns.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
  • PH.III.C.K1:
    Towered and nontowered airport/heliport/helipad/landing area operations and restrictions.
  • PH.III.C.K2:
    Traffic pattern for the current conditions.
  • PH.III.C.K3:
    Right-of-way rules.
  • PH.III.C.K4:
    Use of automated weather and airport/heliport information.
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
  • PH.III.C.R1:
    Collision hazards.
  • PH.III.C.R2:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • PH.III.C.R3:
    Windshear and wake turbulence.
Skills 6 ACS Elements
  • PH.III.C.S1:
    Identify and interpret airport/heliport/helipad/landing area runways, taxiways, markings, signs, and lighting.
  • PH.III.C.S2:
    Comply with recommended helicopter traffic pattern procedures, as appropriate.
  • PH.III.C.S3:
    Correct for wind drift to maintain the proper ground track.
  • PH.III.C.S4:
    Maintain orientation with the runway/landing area in use, as applicable.
  • PH.III.C.S5:
    Maintain traffic pattern altitude, ±100 feet, and the appropriate airspeed, ±10 knots.
  • PH.III.C.S6:
    Maintain situational awareness and proper spacing from other traffic or avoid the flow of fixed-wing traffic, as appropriate. Note: Task D must be tested in addition to the other Tasks if the applicant supplies a helicopter with wheel-type landing gear.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Traffic Patterns Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent traffic patterns performance protects the helicopter's limited margins and supports sound pilot-in-command decisions.

  • Closure:

    • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson.