Private Pilot (Helicopter) Slope Operations Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Helicopter) • ACS Area IV, Task E

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

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Slope Operations 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 slope operations 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 slope operations.

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Private Pilot (Helicopter) Slope Operations 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) Slope Operations 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.IV.E.K1: Elements related to slope operations.
    • Explain and discuss PH.IV.E.K2: Factors used for selecting an appropriate slope.
    • Explain and discuss PH.IV.E.K3: Effect of wind on slope operations.
    • Explain and discuss PH.IV.E.K4: Dynamic rollover considerations during slope operations and preventive/recovery techniques.
    • Explain and discuss PH.IV.E.K5: Helicopter slope limitations.
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.IV.E.R1: Operations on a slope.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.IV.E.R2: Conditions leading to loss of tail rotor/antitorque effectiveness.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.IV.E.R3: Embarking or disembarking passengers and rotor blade hazards.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.IV.E.R4: Conditions leading to dynamic rollover.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.IV.E.R5: Surface conditions.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.IV.E.R6: Collision hazards.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.IV.E.R7: Exceeding the manufacturer's slope limitations.
    • Require the student to verbalize trigger points for discontinuing or modifying the operation.
  • Part 4, Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.E.S1: Select a suitable slope.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.E.S2: Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.E.S3: Properly approach the slope considering wind effect and obstacles.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.E.S4: Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.E.S5: Maintain heading and ground position and prevent movement of aircraft on slope.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.E.S6: Make a smooth positive descent to touch the upslope skid or wheel(s) on the sloping surface.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.E.S7: Recognize if slope is too steep and abandon the operation prior to reaching cyclic control stops.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.E.S8: Maintain positive control while lowering the downslope skid or wheel to touchdown.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.E.S9: Neutralize controls after landing.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.E.S10: Make a smooth transition from the slope to a stabilized hover parallel to the slope.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.E.S11: Properly move away from the slope.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.E.S12: Maintain a specified heading throughout the operation, ±10°. Note: The evaluator shall select Task A, B, C, D, E and at least one other Task. Task I 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) Slope Operations Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with slope operations.
  • Ask the student to identify hazards, including Operations on a slope., and explain how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the student to brief, perform, or explain how to Select a suitable slope., 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) Slope Operations 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) Slope Operations Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Slope Operations Airman Certification Standards

  • Task E: Slope Operations.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with slope operations.
  • Note: See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 5 ACS Elements
  • PH.IV.E.K1:
    Elements related to slope operations.
  • PH.IV.E.K2:
    Factors used for selecting an appropriate slope.
  • PH.IV.E.K3:
    Effect of wind on slope operations.
  • PH.IV.E.K4:
    Dynamic rollover considerations during slope operations and preventive/recovery techniques.
  • PH.IV.E.K5:
    Helicopter slope limitations.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
  • PH.IV.E.R1:
    Operations on a slope.
  • PH.IV.E.R2:
    Conditions leading to loss of tail rotor/antitorque effectiveness.
  • PH.IV.E.R3:
    Embarking or disembarking passengers and rotor blade hazards.
  • PH.IV.E.R4:
    Conditions leading to dynamic rollover.
  • PH.IV.E.R5:
    Surface conditions.
  • PH.IV.E.R6:
    Collision hazards.
  • PH.IV.E.R7:
    Exceeding the manufacturer's slope limitations.
Skills 12 ACS Elements
  • PH.IV.E.S1:
    Select a suitable slope.
  • PH.IV.E.S2:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • PH.IV.E.S3:
    Properly approach the slope considering wind effect and obstacles.
  • PH.IV.E.S4:
    Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
  • PH.IV.E.S5:
    Maintain heading and ground position and prevent movement of aircraft on slope.
  • PH.IV.E.S6:
    Make a smooth positive descent to touch the upslope skid or wheel(s) on the sloping surface.
  • PH.IV.E.S7:
    Recognize if slope is too steep and abandon the operation prior to reaching cyclic control stops.
  • PH.IV.E.S8:
    Maintain positive control while lowering the downslope skid or wheel to touchdown.
  • PH.IV.E.S9:
    Neutralize controls after landing.
  • PH.IV.E.S10:
    Make a smooth transition from the slope to a stabilized hover parallel to the slope.
  • PH.IV.E.S11:
    Properly move away from the slope.
  • PH.IV.E.S12:
    Maintain a specified heading throughout the operation, ±10°. Note: The evaluator shall select Task A, B, C, D, E and at least one other Task. Task I must be tested in addition to the other Tasks if the applicant supplies a helicopter with wheel-type landing gear.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Slope Operations Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent slope operations 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.