Private Pilot (Helicopter) Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Helicopter) • ACS Area VIII, Task K

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

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear 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 emergency equipment and survival gear 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 emergency equipment, and survival gear appropriate to the helicopter and environment encountered during flight.

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
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear 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) Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review the reference materials, helicopter limitations, and local operating considerations.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    • Present the attention getter and motivator.
    • Review Area of Operation VIII, Task K, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with emergency equipment, and survival gear appropriate to the helicopter and environment encountered during flight.
  • Part 2, Knowledge Elements:
    • Explain and discuss PH.VIII.K.K1: Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) operations, limitations, and testing requirements.
    • Explain and discuss PH.VIII.K.K2: Fire extinguisher operations and limitations.
    • Explain and discuss PH.VIII.K.K3: Emergency equipment and survival gear needed for:
      • PH.VIII.K.K3a: a. Climate extremes (hot/cold)
      • PH.VIII.K.K3b: b. Mountainous terrain
      • PH.VIII.K.K3c: c. Overwater operations
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VIII.K.R1: Survival gear (water, clothing, shelter) for 48 to 72 hours.
    • Require the student to verbalize trigger points for discontinuing or modifying the operation.
  • Part 4, Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VIII.K.S1: Identify appropriate equipment and personal gear.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VIII.K.S2: Brief passengers on proper use of on-board emergency equipment and survival 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) Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with emergency equipment and survival gear.
  • Ask the student to identify hazards, including Survival gear (water, clothing, shelter) for 48 to 72 hours., and explain how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the student to brief, perform, or explain how to Identify appropriate equipment and personal gear., 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) Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear 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) Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear Airman Certification Standards

  • Task K: Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with emergency equipment, and survival gear appropriate to the helicopter and environment encountered during flight.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
  • PH.VIII.K.K1:
    Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) operations, limitations, and testing requirements.
  • PH.VIII.K.K2:
    Fire extinguisher operations and limitations.
  • PH.VIII.K.K3:
    Emergency equipment and survival gear needed for:
    • PH.VIII.K.K3a:
      a. Climate extremes (hot/cold)
    • PH.VIII.K.K3b:
      b. Mountainous terrain
    • PH.VIII.K.K3c:
      c. Overwater operations
Risk Management 1 ACS Element
  • PH.VIII.K.R1:
    Survival gear (water, clothing, shelter) for 48 to 72 hours.
Skills 2 ACS Elements
  • PH.VIII.K.S1:
    Identify appropriate equipment and personal gear.
  • PH.VIII.K.S2:
    Brief passengers on proper use of on-board emergency equipment and survival gear.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent emergency equipment and survival gear 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.