Private Pilot (Helicopter) Human Factors Lesson Plan

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

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

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Human Factors 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 human factors 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 personal health, flight physiology, and aeromedical and human factors related to safety of flight.

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Private Pilot (Helicopter) Human Factors 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) Human Factors 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 H, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with personal health, flight physiology, and aeromedical and human factors related to safety of flight.
  • Part 2, Knowledge Elements:
    • Explain and discuss PH.I.H.K1: Symptoms, recognition, causes, effects, and corrective actions associated with aeromedical and physiological issues, including:
      • PH.I.H.K1a: a. Hypoxia
      • PH.I.H.K1b: b. Hyperventilation
      • PH.I.H.K1c: c. Middle ear and sinus problems
      • PH.I.H.K1d: d. Spatial disorientation
      • PH.I.H.K1e: e. Motion sickness
      • PH.I.H.K1f: f. Carbon monoxide poisoning
      • PH.I.H.K1g: g. Stress
      • PH.I.H.K1h: h. Fatigue
      • PH.I.H.K1i: i. Dehydration and nutrition
      • PH.I.H.K1j: j. Hypothermia
      • PH.I.H.K1k: k. Optical illusions
      • PH.I.H.K1l: l. Dissolved nitrogen in the bloodstream after scuba dives
    • Explain and discuss PH.I.H.K2: Regulations regarding use of alcohol and drugs.
    • Explain and discuss PH.I.H.K3: Effects of alcohol, drugs, and over-the-counter medications.
    • Explain and discuss PH.I.H.K4: Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) to include using Crew Resource Management (CRM) or Single- Pilot Resource Management (SRM), as appropriate.
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.I.H.R1: Aeromedical and physiological issues.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.I.H.R2: Hazardous attitudes.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.I.H.R3: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.I.H.R4: Confirmation and expectation bias.
    • 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.H.S1: Associate the symptoms and effects for at least three of the conditions listed in K1a through K1l with the cause(s) and corrective action(s).
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.I.H.S2: Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, for actual flight or a scenario given by the evaluator.
    • 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) Human Factors Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with human factors.
  • Ask the student to identify hazards, including Aeromedical and physiological issues., and explain how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the student to brief, perform, or explain how to Associate the symptoms and effects for at least three of the conditions listed in K1a through K1l with the cause(s) and corrective action(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) Human Factors 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) Human Factors Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Human Factors Airman Certification Standards

  • Area of Operation I: Preflight Preparation.
  • Task H: Human Factors.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with personal health, flight physiology, and aeromedical and human factors related to safety of flight.
  • References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
  • PH.I.H.K1:
    Symptoms, recognition, causes, effects, and corrective actions associated with aeromedical and physiological issues, including:
    • PH.I.H.K1a: a. Hypoxia
    • PH.I.H.K1b: b. Hyperventilation
    • PH.I.H.K1c: c. Middle ear and sinus problems
    • PH.I.H.K1d: d. Spatial disorientation
    • PH.I.H.K1e: e. Motion sickness
    • PH.I.H.K1f: f. Carbon monoxide poisoning
    • PH.I.H.K1g: g. Stress
    • PH.I.H.K1h: h. Fatigue
    • PH.I.H.K1i: i. Dehydration and nutrition
    • PH.I.H.K1j: j. Hypothermia
    • PH.I.H.K1k: k. Optical illusions
    • PH.I.H.K1l: l. Dissolved nitrogen in the bloodstream after scuba dives
  • PH.I.H.K2:
    Regulations regarding use of alcohol and drugs.
  • PH.I.H.K3:
    Effects of alcohol, drugs, and over-the-counter medications.
  • PH.I.H.K4:
    Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) to include using Crew Resource Management (CRM) or Single- Pilot Resource Management (SRM), as appropriate.
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
  • PH.I.H.R1:
    Aeromedical and physiological issues.
  • PH.I.H.R2:
    Hazardous attitudes.
  • PH.I.H.R3:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • PH.I.H.R4:
    Confirmation and expectation bias.
Skills 2 ACS Elements
  • PH.I.H.S1:
    Associate the symptoms and effects for at least three of the conditions listed in K1a through K1l with the cause(s) and corrective action(s).
  • PH.I.H.S2:
    Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, for actual flight or a scenario given by the evaluator.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Human Factors Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent human factors 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.