Private Pilot (Helicopter) Preflight Assessment Lesson Plan

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

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

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Preflight Assessment 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 preflight assessment 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 preparation for safe flight.

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Private Pilot (Helicopter) Preflight Assessment 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) Preflight Assessment 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 A, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with preparation for safe flight.
  • Part 2, Knowledge Elements:
    • Explain and discuss PH.II.A.K1: Pilot self-assessment.
    • Explain and discuss PH.II.A.K2: Determining that the helicopter to be used is in an airworthy condition.
    • Explain and discuss PH.II.A.K3: Helicopter preflight inspection, including:
      • PH.II.A.K3a: a. Which items should be inspected
      • PH.II.A.K3b: b. The reasons for checking each item
      • PH.II.A.K3c: c. How to detect possible defects
      • PH.II.A.K3d: d. The associated regulations
    • Explain and discuss PH.II.A.K4: Environmental factors, including weather, terrain, route selection, and obstructions.
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.II.A.R1: Pilot.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.II.A.R2: Aircraft.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.II.A.R3: Environment (e.g., weather, icing, airports/heliports/helipads/landing areas, airspace, terrain, obstacles).
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.II.A.R4: External pressures.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.II.A.R5: Aviation security concerns.
    • Require the student to verbalize trigger points for discontinuing or modifying the operation.
  • Part 4, Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.II.A.S1: Inspect the helicopter with reference to an appropriate checklist.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.II.A.S2: Verify the helicopter is in condition for safe flight and conforms to its type design.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.II.A.S3: Perform self-assessment.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.II.A.S4: Continue to assess the environment for safe flight.
    • 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) Preflight Assessment Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with preflight assessment.
  • 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 Inspect the helicopter with reference to an appropriate checklist., 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) Preflight Assessment 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) Preflight Assessment Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Preflight Assessment Airman Certification Standards

  • Task A: Preflight Assessment.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with preparation for safe flight.
  • References: AC 91-32; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
  • PH.II.A.K1:
    Pilot self-assessment.
  • PH.II.A.K2:
    Determining that the helicopter to be used is in an airworthy condition.
  • PH.II.A.K3:
    Helicopter preflight inspection, including:
    • PH.II.A.K3a:
      a. Which items should be inspected
    • PH.II.A.K3b:
      b. The reasons for checking each item
    • PH.II.A.K3c:
      c. How to detect possible defects
    • PH.II.A.K3d:
      d. The associated regulations
  • PH.II.A.K4:
    Environmental factors, including weather, terrain, route selection, and obstructions.
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
  • PH.II.A.R1:
    Pilot.
  • PH.II.A.R2:
    Aircraft.
  • PH.II.A.R3:
    Environment (e.g., weather, icing, airports/heliports/helipads/landing areas, airspace, terrain, obstacles).
  • PH.II.A.R4:
    External pressures.
  • PH.II.A.R5:
    Aviation security concerns.
Skills 4 ACS Elements
  • PH.II.A.S1:
    Inspect the helicopter with reference to an appropriate checklist.
  • PH.II.A.S2:
    Verify the helicopter is in condition for safe flight and conforms to its type design.
  • PH.II.A.S3:
    Perform self-assessment.
  • PH.II.A.S4:
    Continue to assess the environment for safe flight.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Preflight Assessment Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent preflight assessment 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.