Private Pilot (Helicopter) Vertical Takeoff and Landing Lesson Plan

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

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

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Vertical Takeoff and Landing 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 vertical takeoff and landing 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 vertical takeoff and landing from a hover.

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Private Pilot (Helicopter) Vertical Takeoff and Landing 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) Vertical Takeoff and Landing 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 A, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with vertical takeoff and landing from a hover.
  • Part 2, Knowledge Elements:
    • Explain and discuss PH.IV.A.K1: Elements related to a vertical takeoff to a hover and landing from a hover.
    • Explain and discuss PH.IV.A.K2: Effect of wind on flight control inputs.
    • Explain and discuss PH.IV.A.K3: Effect of weight and balance and various centers of gravity.
    • Explain and discuss PH.IV.A.K4: Ground effect.
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.IV.A.R1: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.IV.A.R2: Dynamic rollover.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.IV.A.R3: Ground resonance.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.IV.A.R4: Powerplant failure during hover.
    • 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.A.S1: Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.A.S2: Comply with air traffic control (ATC) or evaluator instructions and make radio calls as appropriate.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.A.S3: Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.A.S4: Ascend to and maintain recommended hovering altitude, and descend from recommended hovering altitude in headwind, crosswind, and tailwind conditions, without drift.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.A.S5: Maintain recommended hovering altitude, ±1/2 of that altitude within 10 feet of the surface, if above 10 feet, ±5 feet.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.A.S6: Maintain position within 4 feet of a designated point with no aft movement.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.A.S7: Descend vertically to within 4 feet of the designated touchdown point.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.IV.A.S8: Maintain specified heading, ± 10°.
    • 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) Vertical Takeoff and Landing Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with vertical takeoff and landing.
  • Ask the student to identify hazards, including Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE)., 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) Vertical Takeoff and Landing 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) Vertical Takeoff and Landing Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Vertical Takeoff and Landing Airman Certification Standards

  • Task A: Vertical Takeoff and Landing.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with vertical takeoff and landing from a hover.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; AC 90-95; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
  • PH.IV.A.K1:
    Elements related to a vertical takeoff to a hover and landing from a hover.
  • PH.IV.A.K2:
    Effect of wind on flight control inputs.
  • PH.IV.A.K3:
    Effect of weight and balance and various centers of gravity.
  • PH.IV.A.K4:
    Ground effect.
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
  • PH.IV.A.R1:
    Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
  • PH.IV.A.R2:
    Dynamic rollover.
  • PH.IV.A.R3:
    Ground resonance.
  • PH.IV.A.R4:
    Powerplant failure during hover.
Skills 8 ACS Elements
  • PH.IV.A.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • PH.IV.A.S2:
    Comply with air traffic control (ATC) or evaluator instructions and make radio calls as appropriate.
  • PH.IV.A.S3:
    Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
  • PH.IV.A.S4:
    Ascend to and maintain recommended hovering altitude, and descend from recommended hovering altitude in headwind, crosswind, and tailwind conditions, without drift.
  • PH.IV.A.S5:
    Maintain recommended hovering altitude, ±1/2 of that altitude within 10 feet of the surface, if above 10 feet, ±5 feet.
  • PH.IV.A.S6:
    Maintain position within 4 feet of a designated point with no aft movement.
  • PH.IV.A.S7:
    Descend vertically to within 4 feet of the designated touchdown point.
  • PH.IV.A.S8:
    Maintain specified heading, ± 10°.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Vertical Takeoff and Landing Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent vertical takeoff and landing 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.