Private Pilot (Helicopter) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Lesson Plan

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

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

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Navigation Systems and Radar Services 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 navigation systems and radar services 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 navigation systems and radar services.

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Private Pilot (Helicopter) Navigation Systems and Radar Services 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) Navigation Systems and Radar Services 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 VII, Task B, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with navigation systems and radar services.
  • Part 2, Knowledge Elements:
    • Explain and discuss PH.VII.B.K1: Ground-based navigation (identification, orientation, course determination, equipment, tests, regulations, interference, appropriate use of navigation data, and signal integrity).
    • Explain and discuss PH.VII.B.K2: Satellite-based navigation (e.g., equipment, regulations, authorized use of databases, and Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM)).
    • Explain and discuss PH.VII.B.K3: Radar assistance to visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft (e.g., operations, equipment, available services, traffic advisories).
    • Explain and discuss PH.VII.B.K4: Transponder (Mode(s) A, C, and S) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B).
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VII.B.R1: Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VII.B.R2: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VII.B.R3: Limitations of the navigation system in use.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VII.B.R4: Loss of a navigation signal.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VII.B.R5: Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
    • 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.B.S1: Use an airborne electronic navigation system.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.B.S2: Determine the aircraft's position using the navigation system.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.B.S3: Intercept and track a given course, radial, or bearing.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.B.S4: Recognize and describe the indication of station or waypoint passage.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.B.S5: Recognize loss of navigational signal and take appropriate action.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.B.S6: Use proper communication procedures when utilizing radar services.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.B.S7: Maintain the selected altitude, ±200 feet and headings, ±15°.
    • 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) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with navigation systems and radar services.
  • Ask the student to identify hazards, including Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems., and explain how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the student to brief, perform, or explain how to Use an airborne electronic navigation system., 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) Navigation Systems and Radar Services 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) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Airman Certification Standards

  • Area of Operation VII: Navigation.
  • Task B: Navigation Systems and Radar Services.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with navigation systems and radar services.
  • Note: The evaluator should reference the manufacturer's equipment supplement(s) as necessary for appropriate limitations, procedures, etc.
  • References: AC 91-78; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
  • PH.VII.B.K1:
    Ground-based navigation (identification, orientation, course determination, equipment, tests, regulations, interference, appropriate use of navigation data, and signal integrity).
  • PH.VII.B.K2:
    Satellite-based navigation (e.g., equipment, regulations, authorized use of databases, and Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM)).
  • PH.VII.B.K3:
    Radar assistance to visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft (e.g., operations, equipment, available services, traffic advisories).
  • PH.VII.B.K4:
    Transponder (Mode(s) A, C, and S) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B).
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
  • PH.VII.B.R1:
    Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
  • PH.VII.B.R2:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • PH.VII.B.R3:
    Limitations of the navigation system in use.
  • PH.VII.B.R4:
    Loss of a navigation signal.
  • PH.VII.B.R5:
    Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
Skills 7 ACS Elements
  • PH.VII.B.S1:
    Use an airborne electronic navigation system.
  • PH.VII.B.S2:
    Determine the aircraft's position using the navigation system.
  • PH.VII.B.S3:
    Intercept and track a given course, radial, or bearing.
  • PH.VII.B.S4:
    Recognize and describe the indication of station or waypoint passage.
  • PH.VII.B.S5:
    Recognize loss of navigational signal and take appropriate action.
  • PH.VII.B.S6:
    Use proper communication procedures when utilizing radar services.
  • PH.VII.B.S7:
    Maintain the selected altitude, ±200 feet and headings, ±15°.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent navigation systems and radar services 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.