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, 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 discuss PH.VII.A.K1: Pilotage and dead reckoning.
    • Explain and discuss PH.VII.A.K2: Magnetic compass errors.
    • Explain and discuss PH.VII.A.K3: Topography.
    • Explain and discuss PH.VII.A.K4: Selection of appropriate:
      • PH.VII.A.K4a: a. Route
      • PH.VII.A.K4b: b. Altitude(s)
      • PH.VII.A.K4c: c. Checkpoints
    • Explain and discuss PH.VII.A.K5: Plotting a course, including:
      • PH.VII.A.K5a: a. Determining heading, speed, and course
      • PH.VII.A.K5b: b. Wind correction angle
      • PH.VII.A.K5c: c. Estimating time, speed, and distance
      • PH.VII.A.K5d: d. True airspeed and density altitude
    • Explain and discuss PH.VII.A.K6: Power setting selection.
    • Explain and discuss PH.VII.A.K7: Planned calculations versus actual results and required corrections.
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VII.A.R1: Collision hazards.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VII.A.R2: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VII.A.R3: Unplanned fuel/power consumption, if applicable.
    • 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.A.S1: Prepare and use a flight log.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.A.S2: Navigate by pilotage.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.A.S3: Navigate by means of pre-computed headings, groundspeeds, elapsed time, and reference to landmarks or checkpoints.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.A.S4: Use the magnetic direction indicator in navigation, including turns to headings.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.A.S5: Verify position within three nautical miles of the flight-planned route.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.A.S6: Correct for and record the differences between preflight fuel, groundspeed, and heading calculations and those determined en route.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to 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.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VII.A.S8: Maintain the selected altitude, ±200 feet and heading, ±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) 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:
      a. Route
    • PH.VII.A.K4b:
      b. Altitude(s)
    • PH.VII.A.K4c:
      c. Checkpoints
  • PH.VII.A.K5:
    Plotting a course, including:
    • PH.VII.A.K5a:
      a. Determining heading, speed, and course
    • PH.VII.A.K5b:
      b. Wind correction angle
    • PH.VII.A.K5c:
      c. Estimating time, speed, and distance
    • PH.VII.A.K5d:
      d. 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.