Private Pilot (Helicopter) Pilotage and Dead Reckoning Lesson Plan

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

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

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Pilotage and Dead Reckoning 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 pilotage and dead reckoning 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 pilotage and dead reckoning.

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Private Pilot (Helicopter) Pilotage and Dead Reckoning 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, Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), and electronic flight bag, as applicable.
    • Helicopter, cockpit procedures trainer, or approved training device, as appropriate.

  • Reference Materials:

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Pilotage and Dead Reckoning 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 A, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with pilotage and dead reckoning.
  • Part 2, Knowledge Elements:
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of pilotage and dead reckoning. (PH.VII.A.K1)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of magnetic compass errors. (PH.VII.A.K2)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of topography. (PH.VII.A.K3)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of Selection of appropriate: (PH.VII.A.K4)
      • Route (PH.VII.A.K4a)
      • Altitude(s) (PH.VII.A.K4b)
      • Checkpoints (PH.VII.A.K4c)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of Plotting a course, including: (PH.VII.A.K5)
      • Determining heading, speed, and course (PH.VII.A.K5a)
      • Wind correction angle (PH.VII.A.K5b)
      • Estimating time, speed, and distance (PH.VII.A.K5c)
      • True airspeed and density altitude (PH.VII.A.K5d)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of power setting selection. (PH.VII.A.K6)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of planned calculations versus actual results and required corrections. (PH.VII.A.K7)
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with collision hazards. (PH.VII.A.R1)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. (PH.VII.A.R2)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with unplanned fuel/power consumption, if applicable. (PH.VII.A.R3)
    • Require the student to verbalize trigger points for discontinuing or modifying the operation.
  • Part 4, Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to prepare and use a flight log. (PH.VII.A.S1)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to navigate by pilotage. (PH.VII.A.S2)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to navigate by means of pre-computed headings, groundspeeds, elapsed time, and reference to landmarks or checkpoints. (PH.VII.A.S3)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to use the magnetic direction indicator in navigation, including turns to headings. (PH.VII.A.S4)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to verify position within three nautical miles of the flight-planned route. (PH.VII.A.S5)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to correct for and record the differences between preflight fuel, groundspeed, and heading calculations and those determined en route. (PH.VII.A.S6)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to arrive at the en route checkpoints within five minutes of the initial or revised estimated time of arrival (ETA) and provide a destination estimate. (PH.VII.A.S7)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to maintain the selected altitude, ±200 feet and heading, ±15°. (PH.VII.A.S8)
    • 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.
  • Approved syllabus objective coverage:
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to complete instructor-authorized local-area solo practice within assigned geographic and operating limits. Practice only authorized maneuvers and record and debrief the flight. (PH.TRAINING.T36)
  • 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) Pilotage and Dead Reckoning Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with pilotage and dead reckoning.
  • 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 Prepare and use a flight log, 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) Pilotage and Dead Reckoning 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) Pilotage and Dead Reckoning Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Pilotage and Dead Reckoning Airman Certification Standards

  • Task A: Pilotage and Dead Reckoning.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with pilotage and dead reckoning.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; Helicopter Route Charts; VFR Navigation Charts
Knowledge 7 ACS Elements
  • PH.VII.A.K1:
    Pilotage and dead reckoning.
  • PH.VII.A.K2:
    Magnetic compass errors.
  • PH.VII.A.K3:
    Topography.
  • PH.VII.A.K4:
    Selection of appropriate:
    • PH.VII.A.K4a:
      Route
    • PH.VII.A.K4b:
      Altitude(s)
    • PH.VII.A.K4c:
      Checkpoints
  • PH.VII.A.K5:
    Plotting a course, including:
    • PH.VII.A.K5a:
      Determining heading, speed, and course
    • PH.VII.A.K5b:
      Wind correction angle
    • PH.VII.A.K5c:
      Estimating time, speed, and distance
    • PH.VII.A.K5d:
      True airspeed and density altitude
  • PH.VII.A.K6:
    Power setting selection.
  • PH.VII.A.K7:
    Planned calculations versus actual results and required corrections.
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
  • PH.VII.A.R1:
    Collision hazards.
  • PH.VII.A.R2:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • PH.VII.A.R3:
    Unplanned fuel/power consumption, if applicable.
Skills 8 ACS Elements
  • PH.VII.A.S1:
    Prepare and use a flight log.
  • PH.VII.A.S2:
    Navigate by pilotage.
  • PH.VII.A.S3:
    Navigate by means of pre-computed headings, groundspeeds, elapsed time, and reference to landmarks or checkpoints.
  • PH.VII.A.S4:
    Use the magnetic direction indicator in navigation, including turns to headings.
  • PH.VII.A.S5:
    Verify position within three nautical miles of the flight-planned route.
  • PH.VII.A.S6:
    Correct for and record the differences between preflight fuel, groundspeed, and heading calculations and those determined en route.
  • PH.VII.A.S7:
    Arrive at the en route checkpoints within five minutes of the initial or revised estimated time of arrival (ETA) and provide a destination estimate.
  • PH.VII.A.S8:
    Maintain the selected altitude, ±200 feet and heading, ±15°.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Pilotage and Dead Reckoning Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent pilotage and dead reckoning 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.