Private Pilot (Helicopter) Weather Information Lesson Plan

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

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

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Weather Information 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 weather information 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 weather information for a flight under VFR.

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Private Pilot (Helicopter) Weather Information 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) Weather Information 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 C, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with weather information for a flight under VFR.
  • Part 2, Knowledge Elements:
    • Introduce weather types of weather products (observations, analysis, and forecasts.
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes. (PH.I.C.K1)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of Acceptable weather products and resources required for preflight planning, current and forecast weather for departure, en route, and arrival phases of flight such as: (PH.I.C.K2)
      • Airport Observations (METAR and SPECI) and Pilot Observations (PIREP) (PH.I.C.K2a)
      • Surface Analysis Chart, Ceiling and Visibility Chart (CVA) (PH.I.C.K2b)
      • Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF) (PH.I.C.K2c)
      • Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA) (PH.I.C.K2d)
      • Wind and Temperature Aloft Forecast (FB) (PH.I.C.K2e)
      • Convective Outlook (AC) (PH.I.C.K2f)
      • Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories including Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET), Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET), and Convective SIGMET (PH.I.C.K2g)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of Meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination under visual flight rules (VFR) in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), including expected climate and hazardous conditions such as: (PH.I.C.K3)
      • Atmospheric composition and stability (PH.I.C.K3a)
      • Wind (e.g., windshear, mountain wave, factors affecting wind, etc.) (PH.I.C.K3b)
      • Temperature and heat exchange (PH.I.C.K3c)
      • Moisture/precipitation (PH.I.C.K3d)
      • Weather system formation, including air masses and fronts (PH.I.C.K3e)
      • Clouds (PH.I.C.K3f)
      • Turbulence (PH.I.C.K3g)
      • Thunderstorms and microbursts (PH.I.C.K3h)
      • Icing and freezing level information (PH.I.C.K3i)
      • Fog/mist (PH.I.C.K3j)
      • Frost (PH.I.C.K3k)
      • Obstructions to visibility (e.g., smoke, haze, volcanic ash, etc.) (PH.I.C.K3l)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of flight deck instrument displays of digital weather and aeronautical information. (PH.I.C.K4)
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, including: (PH.I.C.R1)
      • Circumstances that would make diversion prudent (PH.I.C.R1a)
        • Teach and assess the learner's ability to identify and assess the hazards associated with circumstances that would make diversion prudent; select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with circumstances that would make diversion prudent.
      • Personal weather minimums (PH.I.C.R1b)
      • Hazardous weather conditions, including known or forecast icing or turbulence aloft (PH.I.C.R1c)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with use and limitations of: (PH.I.C.R2)
      • Installed onboard weather equipment (PH.I.C.R2a)
      • Aviation weather reports and forecasts (PH.I.C.R2b)
      • Inflight weather resources (PH.I.C.R2c)
    • Require the student to verbalize trigger points for discontinuing or modifying the operation.
  • Part 4, Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing. (PH.I.C.S1)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to analyze the implications of at least three of the conditions listed in K3a through K3l, using actual weather or weather conditions provided by the evaluator. (PH.I.C.S2)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to correlate weather information to make a go/no-go decision. (PH.I.C.S3)
    • 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) Weather Information Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with weather information.
  • Ask the student to identify hazards, including Making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, including:, and explain how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the student to brief, perform, or explain how to Use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing, 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) Weather Information 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) Weather Information Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Weather Information Airman Certification Standards

  • Task C: Weather Information.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with weather information for a flight under VFR.
  • Note: If K2 is selected, the evaluator must assess the applicant's knowledge of at least three sub-elements.
  • Note: If K3 is selected, the evaluator must assess the applicant's knowledge of at least three sub-elements.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; AC 91-92; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25, FAA-H-8083-28
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
  • PH.I.C.K1:
    Sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes.
  • PH.I.C.K2:
    Acceptable weather products and resources required for preflight planning, current and forecast weather for departure, en route, and arrival phases of flight such as:
    • PH.I.C.K2a:
      Airport Observations (METAR and SPECI) and Pilot Observations (PIREP)
    • PH.I.C.K2b:
      Surface Analysis Chart, Ceiling and Visibility Chart (CVA)
    • PH.I.C.K2c:
      Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)
    • PH.I.C.K2d:
      Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA)
    • PH.I.C.K2e:
      Wind and Temperature Aloft Forecast (FB)
    • PH.I.C.K2f:
      Convective Outlook (AC)
    • PH.I.C.K2g:
      Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories including Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET), Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET), and Convective SIGMET
  • PH.I.C.K3:
    Meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination under visual flight rules (VFR) in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), including expected climate and hazardous conditions such as:
    • PH.I.C.K3a:
      Atmospheric composition and stability
    • PH.I.C.K3b:
      Wind (e.g., windshear, mountain wave, factors affecting wind, etc.)
    • PH.I.C.K3c:
      Temperature and heat exchange
    • PH.I.C.K3d:
      Moisture/precipitation
    • PH.I.C.K3e:
      Weather system formation, including air masses and fronts
    • PH.I.C.K3f:
      Clouds
    • PH.I.C.K3g:
      Turbulence
    • PH.I.C.K3h:
      Thunderstorms and microbursts
    • PH.I.C.K3i:
      Icing and freezing level information
    • PH.I.C.K3j:
      Fog/mist
    • PH.I.C.K3k:
      Frost
    • PH.I.C.K3l:
      Obstructions to visibility (e.g., smoke, haze, volcanic ash, etc.)
  • PH.I.C.K4:
    Flight deck instrument displays of digital weather and aeronautical information.
Risk Management 2 ACS Elements
  • PH.I.C.R1:
    Making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, including:
    • PH.I.C.R1a:
      Circumstances that would make diversion prudent
    • PH.I.C.R1b:
      Personal weather minimums
    • PH.I.C.R1c:
      Hazardous weather conditions, including known or forecast icing or turbulence aloft
  • PH.I.C.R2:
    Use and limitations of:
    • PH.I.C.R2a:
      Installed onboard weather equipment
    • PH.I.C.R2b:
      Aviation weather reports and forecasts
    • PH.I.C.R2c:
      Inflight weather resources
Skills 3 ACS Elements
  • PH.I.C.S1:
    Use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing.
  • PH.I.C.S2:
    Analyze the implications of at least three of the conditions listed in K3a through K3l, using actual weather or weather conditions provided by the evaluator.
  • PH.I.C.S3:
    Correlate weather information to make a go/no-go decision.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Weather Information Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent weather information 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.