Private Pilot (Helicopter) Powerplant Starting and Rotor Engagement Lesson Plan

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

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

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Powerplant Starting and Rotor Engagement 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 powerplant starting and rotor engagement 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 recommended powerplant starting and rotor engagement procedures.

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Private Pilot (Helicopter) Powerplant Starting and Rotor Engagement 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) Powerplant Starting and Rotor Engagement 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 II, Task C, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with recommended powerplant starting and rotor engagement procedures.
  • Part 2, Knowledge Elements:
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of starting under various conditions. (PH.II.C.K1)
      • Teach and assess the learner's ability to explain aircraft-specific normal engine-start configuration and sequencing; explain cold-weather preheating, starting, oil-pressure checks, and warm-up limitations; explain heat-soak effects and aircraft-specific hot-engine restart procedures; explain excessive priming, engine flooding, and the appropriate response to an unsuccessful flooded start; explain high-elevation starting and ground-mixture considerations without carrying a taxi setting into takeoff.
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of starting procedures, including the use of external power if applicable. (PH.II.C.K2)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of limitations associated with starting. (PH.II.C.K3)
      • Teach and assess the learner's ability to explain weak-battery, slow-cranking, and starter operating limitations; explain starter duty-cycle, cooling, and post-start operating limitations.
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of conditions leading to and procedures for an aborted start. (PH.II.C.K4)
      • Teach and assess the learner's ability to recognize when an unsuccessful or abnormal start must be aborted and apply the aircraft-specific procedure; recognize missing oil pressure as an aborted-start condition requiring shutdown.
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with rotor engagement, if applicable. (PH.II.C.R1)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with use of external power unit. (PH.II.C.R2)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with limitations during starting. (PH.II.C.R3)
    • Require the student to verbalize trigger points for discontinuing or modifying the operation.
  • Part 4, Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to position the helicopter properly considering structures, surface conditions, other aircraft, wind, and the safety of nearby persons and property. (PH.II.C.S1)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to use flight control frictions, if required. (PH.II.C.S2)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to complete the appropriate checklist(s). (PH.II.C.S3)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to engage and manage the rotor system, as appropriate. (PH.II.C.S4)
    • 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) Powerplant Starting and Rotor Engagement Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with powerplant starting and rotor engagement.
  • Ask the student to identify hazards, including Rotor engagement, if applicable, and explain how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the student to brief, perform, or explain how to Position the helicopter properly considering structures, surface conditions, other aircraft, wind, and the safety of nearby persons and property, 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) Powerplant Starting and Rotor Engagement 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) Powerplant Starting and Rotor Engagement Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Powerplant Starting and Rotor Engagement Airman Certification Standards

  • Task C: Powerplant Starting and Rotor Engagement.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with recommended powerplant starting and rotor engagement procedures.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
  • PH.II.C.K1:
    Starting under various conditions.
  • PH.II.C.K2:
    Starting procedures, including the use of external power if applicable.
  • PH.II.C.K3:
    Limitations associated with starting.
  • PH.II.C.K4:
    Conditions leading to and procedures for an aborted start.
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
  • PH.II.C.R1:
    Rotor engagement, if applicable.
  • PH.II.C.R2:
    Use of external power unit.
  • PH.II.C.R3:
    Limitations during starting.
Skills 4 ACS Elements
  • PH.II.C.S1:
    Position the helicopter properly considering structures, surface conditions, other aircraft, wind, and the safety of nearby persons and property.
  • PH.II.C.S2:
    Use flight control frictions, if required.
  • PH.II.C.S3:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • PH.II.C.S4:
    Engage and manage the rotor system, as appropriate.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Powerplant Starting and Rotor Engagement Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent powerplant starting and rotor engagement 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.