Private Pilot (Helicopter) Taxiing with Wheel-Type Landing Gear Lesson Plan

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

The Private Pilot (Helicopter) Taxiing with Wheel-Type Landing Gear Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-15.

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Taxiing with Wheel-Type Landing 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 taxiing with wheel-type landing 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 ground taxi operations, in a wheel-type aircraft, including runway incursion avoidance.

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Private Pilot (Helicopter) Taxiing with Wheel-Type Landing 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) Taxiing with Wheel-Type Landing 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 IV, Task D, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with ground taxi operations, in a wheel-type aircraft, including runway incursion avoidance.
  • Part 2, Knowledge Elements:
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of current airport aeronautical references and information resources such as the Chart Supplement, airport diagram, and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs). (PH.IV.D.K1)
      • Teach and assess the learner's ability to locate current airport diagrams; locate airport entries in chart supplement.
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of taxi instructions/clearances. (PH.IV.D.K2)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of airport/heliport/helipad/landing area, signs, markings, and lighting. (PH.IV.D.K3)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of visual indicators for wind. (PH.IV.D.K4)
      • Teach and assess the learner's ability to distinguish wind-direction indicators from a tetrahedron landing-direction indicator.
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of aircraft lighting, as appropriate. (PH.IV.D.K5)
      • Teach and assess the learner's ability to select night taxi lighting use consistent with visibility, glare avoidance, and aircraft limitations.
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of Procedures for: (PH.IV.D.K6)
      • Appropriate flight deck activities prior to taxi, including route planning and identifying the location of Hot Spots (PH.IV.D.K6a)
      • Safe taxi at towered and nontowered airports (PH.IV.D.K6b)
      • Entering or crossing runways (PH.IV.D.K6c)
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with activities and distractions. (PH.IV.D.R1)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with confirmation or expectation bias as related to taxi instructions. (PH.IV.D.R2)
      • Teach and assess the learner's ability to stop and resolve taxi-position uncertainty instead of following an expected route despite conflicting signs; select verification actions that counter expectation bias in taxi instructions.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with runway incursion. (PH.IV.D.R3)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with speed during taxi and turns. (PH.IV.D.R4)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with appropriate thrust vector and brake use. (PH.IV.D.R5)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with airframe and rotor clearances during taxi. (PH.IV.D.R6)
    • Require the student to verbalize trigger points for discontinuing or modifying the operation.
  • Part 4, Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to complete the appropriate checklist(s). (PH.IV.D.S1)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to use an appropriate airport/heliport diagram or taxi chart, if published. (PH.IV.D.S2)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to properly position nosewheel/tailwheel, if applicable, locked or unlocked. (PH.IV.D.S3)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to position the flight controls properly for the existing wind conditions, with the landing gear in contact with the surface, avoiding conditions that might lead to loss of directional control. (PH.IV.D.S4)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to properly use cyclic, collective, and brakes as applicable to control speed while taxiing. (PH.IV.D.S5)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits. (PH.IV.D.S6)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to maintain specified track within 4 feet. (PH.IV.D.S7)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to position the helicopter relative to hold lines or a specified point. (PH.IV.D.S8)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to receive and comply with ATC clearances/instructions, if applicable. (PH.IV.D.S9)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to comply with airport/heliport taxiway markings, lights, and signals. (PH.IV.D.S10)
    • 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) Taxiing with Wheel-Type Landing Gear Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with taxiing with wheel-type landing gear.
  • Ask the student to identify hazards, including Activities and distractions, and explain how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the student to brief, perform, or explain how to Complete the appropriate checklist(s), 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) Taxiing with Wheel-Type Landing 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.
  • Complete or review AOPA's Runway Safety Online Course.
  • Ask pertinent questions, perform a self-assessment, and make appropriate go/no-go or continue/discontinue decisions.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Taxiing with Wheel-Type Landing Gear Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Taxiing with Wheel-Type Landing Gear Airman Certification Standards

  • Task D: Taxiing with Wheel-Type Landing Gear.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with ground taxi operations, in a wheel-type aircraft, including runway incursion avoidance.
  • References: AC 91-73; AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 6 ACS Elements
  • PH.IV.D.K1:
    Current airport aeronautical references and information resources such as the Chart Supplement, airport diagram, and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs).
  • PH.IV.D.K2:
    Taxi instructions/clearances.
  • PH.IV.D.K3:
    Airport/heliport/helipad/landing area, signs, markings, and lighting.
  • PH.IV.D.K4:
    Visual indicators for wind.
  • PH.IV.D.K5:
    Aircraft lighting, as appropriate.
  • PH.IV.D.K6:
    Procedures for:
    • PH.IV.D.K6a:
      Appropriate flight deck activities prior to taxi, including route planning and identifying the location of Hot Spots
    • PH.IV.D.K6b:
      Safe taxi at towered and nontowered airports
    • PH.IV.D.K6c:
      Entering or crossing runways
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
  • PH.IV.D.R1:
    Activities and distractions.
  • PH.IV.D.R2:
    Confirmation or expectation bias as related to taxi instructions.
  • PH.IV.D.R3:
    Runway incursion.
  • PH.IV.D.R4:
    Speed during taxi and turns.
  • PH.IV.D.R5:
    Appropriate thrust vector and brake use.
  • PH.IV.D.R6:
    Airframe and rotor clearances during taxi.
Skills 10 ACS Elements
  • PH.IV.D.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • PH.IV.D.S2:
    Use an appropriate airport/heliport diagram or taxi chart, if published.
  • PH.IV.D.S3:
    Properly position nosewheel/tailwheel, if applicable, locked or unlocked.
  • PH.IV.D.S4:
    Position the flight controls properly for the existing wind conditions, with the landing gear in contact with the surface, avoiding conditions that might lead to loss of directional control.
  • PH.IV.D.S5:
    Properly use cyclic, collective, and brakes as applicable to control speed while taxiing.
  • PH.IV.D.S6:
    Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
  • PH.IV.D.S7:
    Maintain specified track within 4 feet.
  • PH.IV.D.S8:
    Position the helicopter relative to hold lines or a specified point.
  • PH.IV.D.S9:
    Receive and comply with ATC clearances/instructions, if applicable.
  • PH.IV.D.S10:
    Comply with airport/heliport taxiway markings, lights, and signals.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Taxiing with Wheel-Type Landing Gear Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent taxiing with wheel-type landing 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.