Private Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan

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

The Private Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-15.

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter 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 straight-in autorotation in a single-engine helicopter 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 a straight-in autorotation to a power recovery.

Help Us Grow

Enjoy CFI Notebook? A one-time donation helps us create more high-quality lessons, quizzes, scenarios, graphics, and interactive tools.

One-Time Donation
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter 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) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter 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 VI, Task B, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with a straight-in autorotation to a power recovery.
  • Part 2, Knowledge Elements:
    • Explain and discuss PH.VI.B.K1: Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
    • Explain and discuss PH.VI.B.K2: Main rotor (Nr) speed.
    • Explain and discuss PH.VI.B.K3: Energy management.
    • Explain and discuss PH.VI.B.K4: Causes and effects of high descent rates.
    • Explain and discuss PH.VI.B.K5: Effect of varying bank angles, airspeeds, and rotor rpm.
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VI.B.R1: Low entry altitudes.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VI.B.R2: Flight control inputs.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VI.B.R3: Turbulence, including wake turbulence.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VI.B.R4: Windshear.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VI.B.R5: Energy management.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VI.B.R6: Main rotor (Nr) speed.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VI.B.R7: Low rotor rpm or rotor stall.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VI.B.R8: Main rotor (Nr) overspeed.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VI.B.R9: Excessive rate of descent.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VI.B.R10: Powerplant failure during the maneuver.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VI.B.R11: Collision hazards.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VI.B.R12: Terminating an autorotation.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VI.B.R13: Power recovery and go-around.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.VI.B.R14: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
    • Require the student to verbalize trigger points for discontinuing or modifying the operation.
  • Part 4, Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VI.B.S1: Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VI.B.S2: Make radio calls as appropriate.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VI.B.S3: Select a suitable landing area.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VI.B.S4: Clear the area.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VI.B.S5: Select an appropriate entry altitude.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VI.B.S6: Initiate the maneuver at the proper point.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VI.B.S7: Establish power-off glide with the helicopter trimmed and autorotation airspeed, ±10 knots.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VI.B.S8: Maintain main rotor (Nr) within normal limits.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VI.B.S9: Compensate for wind speed and direction as necessary to avoid undershooting or overshooting the selected landing area.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VI.B.S10: Use proper deceleration and collective pitch application that permits safe clearance between the aircraft tail boom and the surface.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VI.B.S11: Initiate proper power recovery.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.VI.B.S12: Terminate autorotation to a stabilized hover within 200 feet of a designated point.
    • 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) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with straight-in autorotation in a single-engine helicopter.
  • Ask the student to identify hazards, including Low entry altitudes., 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) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter 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) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Airman Certification Standards

  • Task B: Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with a straight-in autorotation to a power recovery.
  • Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
  • References: AC 61-140; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 5 ACS Elements
  • PH.VI.B.K1:
    Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
  • PH.VI.B.K2:
    Main rotor (Nr) speed.
  • PH.VI.B.K3:
    Energy management.
  • PH.VI.B.K4:
    Causes and effects of high descent rates.
  • PH.VI.B.K5:
    Effect of varying bank angles, airspeeds, and rotor rpm.
Risk Management 14 ACS Elements
  • PH.VI.B.R1:
    Low entry altitudes.
  • PH.VI.B.R2:
    Flight control inputs.
  • PH.VI.B.R3:
    Turbulence, including wake turbulence.
  • PH.VI.B.R4:
    Windshear.
  • PH.VI.B.R5:
    Energy management.
  • PH.VI.B.R6:
    Main rotor (Nr) speed.
  • PH.VI.B.R7:
    Low rotor rpm or rotor stall.
  • PH.VI.B.R8:
    Main rotor (Nr) overspeed.
  • PH.VI.B.R9:
    Excessive rate of descent.
  • PH.VI.B.R10:
    Powerplant failure during the maneuver.
  • PH.VI.B.R11:
    Collision hazards.
  • PH.VI.B.R12:
    Terminating an autorotation.
  • PH.VI.B.R13:
    Power recovery and go-around.
  • PH.VI.B.R14:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 12 ACS Elements
  • PH.VI.B.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • PH.VI.B.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • PH.VI.B.S3:
    Select a suitable landing area.
  • PH.VI.B.S4:
    Clear the area.
  • PH.VI.B.S5:
    Select an appropriate entry altitude.
  • PH.VI.B.S6:
    Initiate the maneuver at the proper point.
  • PH.VI.B.S7:
    Establish power-off glide with the helicopter trimmed and autorotation airspeed, ±10 knots.
  • PH.VI.B.S8:
    Maintain main rotor (Nr) within normal limits.
  • PH.VI.B.S9:
    Compensate for wind speed and direction as necessary to avoid undershooting or overshooting the selected landing area.
  • PH.VI.B.S10:
    Use proper deceleration and collective pitch application that permits safe clearance between the aircraft tail boom and the surface.
  • PH.VI.B.S11:
    Initiate proper power recovery.
  • PH.VI.B.S12:
    Terminate autorotation to a stabilized hover within 200 feet of a designated point.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent straight-in autorotation in a single-engine helicopter 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.