Private Pilot (Helicopter) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Helicopter) • ACS Area I, Task D

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

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Cross-Country Flight Planning 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 cross-country flight planning 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 cross-country flights and VFR flight planning.

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) Cross-Country Flight Planning 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) Cross-Country Flight Planning 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 I, Task D, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with cross-country flights and VFR flight planning.
  • Part 2, Knowledge Elements:
    • Explain and discuss PH.I.D.K1: Route planning, including consideration of different classes and special use airspace (SUA) and selection of appropriate and available navigation/communication systems and facilities.
      • PH.I.D.K1a: a. Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used
    • Explain and discuss PH.I.D.K2: Altitude selection accounting for terrain and obstacles, autorotation requirements of the helicopter, VFR cruising altitudes, and the effect of wind.
    • Explain and discuss PH.I.D.K3: Calculating:
      • PH.I.D.K3a: a. Time, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed, and groundspeed
      • PH.I.D.K3b: b. Estimated time of arrival, including conversion to universal coordinated time (UTC)
      • PH.I.D.K3c: c. Fuel requirements, including reserve
    • Explain and discuss PH.I.D.K4: Elements of a VFR flight plan.
    • Explain and discuss PH.I.D.K5: Procedures for filing, activating, and closing a VFR flight plan.
    • Explain and discuss PH.I.D.K6: Inflight intercept procedures.
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.I.D.R1: Pilot.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.I.D.R2: Aircraft.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.I.D.R3: Environment (e.g., weather, airports, airspace, terrain, obstacles, including wire strike hazards).
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.I.D.R4: External pressures.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.I.D.R5: Limitations of air traffic control (ATC) services.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.I.D.R6: Fuel planning.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.I.D.R7: 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.I.D.S1: Prepare, present, and explain a cross-country flight plan assigned by the evaluator, including a risk analysis based on real-time weather, to the first fuel stop.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.I.D.S2: Apply pertinent information from appropriate and current aeronautical charts, Chart Supplements; Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) relative to airport/heliport/helipad/landing area, runway and taxiway closures; and other flight publications.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.I.D.S3: Create a navigation plan and simulate filing a VFR flight plan.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.I.D.S4: Recalculate fuel reserves based on a scenario provided by the evaluator.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.I.D.S5: Use an electronic flight bag (EFB), if applicable.
    • 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) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with cross-country flight planning.
  • Ask the student to identify hazards, including Pilot., and explain how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the student to brief, perform, or explain how to Prepare, present, and explain a cross-country flight plan assigned by the evaluator, including a risk analysis based on real-time weather, to the first fuel stop., 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) Cross-Country Flight Planning 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) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Cross-Country Flight Planning Airman Certification Standards

  • Task D: Cross-Country Flight Planning.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with cross-country flights and VFR flight planning.
  • Note: Preparation, presentation, and explanation of a computer-generated flight plan is an acceptable option.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; AC 91.21-1; AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; Helicopter Route Charts; NOTAMs; VFR Navigation Charts
Knowledge 6 ACS Elements
  • PH.I.D.K1:
    Route planning, including consideration of different classes and special use airspace (SUA) and selection of appropriate and available navigation/communication systems and facilities.
    • PH.I.D.K1a:
      a. Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used
  • PH.I.D.K2:
    Altitude selection accounting for terrain and obstacles, autorotation requirements of the helicopter, VFR cruising altitudes, and the effect of wind.
  • PH.I.D.K3:
    Calculating:
    • PH.I.D.K3a:
      a. Time, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed, and groundspeed
    • PH.I.D.K3b:
      b. Estimated time of arrival, including conversion to universal coordinated time (UTC)
    • PH.I.D.K3c:
      c. Fuel requirements, including reserve
  • PH.I.D.K4:
    Elements of a VFR flight plan.
  • PH.I.D.K5:
    Procedures for filing, activating, and closing a VFR flight plan.
  • PH.I.D.K6:
    Inflight intercept procedures.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
  • PH.I.D.R1:
    Pilot.
  • PH.I.D.R2:
    Aircraft.
  • PH.I.D.R3:
    Environment (e.g., weather, airports, airspace, terrain, obstacles, including wire strike hazards).
  • PH.I.D.R4:
    External pressures.
  • PH.I.D.R5:
    Limitations of air traffic control (ATC) services.
  • PH.I.D.R6:
    Fuel planning.
  • PH.I.D.R7:
    Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
Skills 5 ACS Elements
  • PH.I.D.S1:
    Prepare, present, and explain a cross-country flight plan assigned by the evaluator, including a risk analysis based on real-time weather, to the first fuel stop.
  • PH.I.D.S2:
    Apply pertinent information from appropriate and current aeronautical charts, Chart Supplements; Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) relative to airport/heliport/helipad/landing area, runway and taxiway closures; and other flight publications.
  • PH.I.D.S3:
    Create a navigation plan and simulate filing a VFR flight plan.
  • PH.I.D.S4:
    Recalculate fuel reserves based on a scenario provided by the evaluator.
  • PH.I.D.S5:
    Use an electronic flight bag (EFB), if applicable.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent cross-country flight planning 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.