Private Pilot (Helicopter) Diversion Lesson Plan

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

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

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Diversion 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 diversion 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 diversion.

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Private Pilot (Helicopter) Diversion 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) Diversion 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.VII.C.K1: Selecting an alternate destination.
    • Explain and discuss PH.VII.C.K2: Situations that require deviations from flight plan or air traffic control (ATC) instructions.
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VII.C.R1: Collision hazards.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VII.C.R2: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VII.C.R3: Circumstances that would make diversion prudent.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VII.C.R4: Selecting an airport/heliport/helipad, as applicable.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VII.C.R5: Using available resources (e.g., automation, ATC, and flight deck planning aids).
    • Require the student to verbalize trigger points for discontinuing or modifying the operation.
  • Part 4, Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.C.S1: Select a suitable airport/heliport/helipad, as applicable, and route for diversion.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.C.S2: Make a reasonable estimate of heading, groundspeed, arrival time, and fuel required to the "divert to" destination.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.C.S3: Promptly divert toward the airport/heliport/helipad.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.C.S4: Maintain the selected altitude, ±200 feet and headings, ±15°.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.C.S5: Update/interpret weather in flight.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.C.S6: Use displays of digital weather and aeronautical information, as applicable to maintain situational awareness.
    • 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) Diversion Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with diversion.
  • 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 Select a suitable airport/heliport/helipad, as applicable, and route for diversion., 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) Diversion 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) Diversion Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Diversion Airman Certification Standards

  • Task C: Diversion.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with diversion.
  • References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; Helicopter Route Charts, VFR Navigation Charts
Knowledge 2 ACS Elements
  • PH.VII.C.K1:
    Selecting an alternate destination.
  • PH.VII.C.K2:
    Situations that require deviations from flight plan or air traffic control (ATC) instructions.
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
  • PH.VII.C.R1:
    Collision hazards.
  • PH.VII.C.R2:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • PH.VII.C.R3:
    Circumstances that would make diversion prudent.
  • PH.VII.C.R4:
    Selecting an airport/heliport/helipad, as applicable.
  • PH.VII.C.R5:
    Using available resources (e.g., automation, ATC, and flight deck planning aids).
Skills 6 ACS Elements
  • PH.VII.C.S1:
    Select a suitable airport/heliport/helipad, as applicable, and route for diversion.
  • PH.VII.C.S2:
    Make a reasonable estimate of heading, groundspeed, arrival time, and fuel required to the "divert to" destination.
  • PH.VII.C.S3:
    Promptly divert toward the airport/heliport/helipad.
  • PH.VII.C.S4:
    Maintain the selected altitude, ±200 feet and headings, ±15°.
  • PH.VII.C.S5:
    Update/interpret weather in flight.
  • PH.VII.C.S6:
    Use displays of digital weather and aeronautical information, as applicable to maintain situational awareness.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Diversion Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent diversion 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.