Private Pilot (Helicopter) Confined Area Operations Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Helicopter) • ACS Area V, Task F

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

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Confined Area Operations 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 confined area operations 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 confined area operations.

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Private Pilot (Helicopter) Confined Area Operations 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) Confined Area Operations 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 V, Task F, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with confined area operations.
  • Part 2, Knowledge Elements:
    • Explain and discuss PH.V.F.K1: Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
    • Explain and discuss PH.V.F.K2: Situations when a confined area approach and landing is recommended and factors related to landing performance including H/V diagram information.
    • Explain and discuss PH.V.F.K3: High and low reconnaissance, including takeoff and departure planning.
    • Explain and discuss PH.V.F.K4: Power requirements versus power available for the departure or arrival profile(s).
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.F.R1: Selection of approach path, termination point and departure path based on aircraft performance and limitations, wind, and availability of alternate sites.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.F.R2: Effects of:
      • PH.V.F.R2a: a. Wind Direction
      • PH.V.F.R2b: b. Windshear
      • PH.V.F.R2c: c. Turbulence
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.F.R3: H/V diagram information.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.F.R4: Go-around.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.F.R5: Forced landing during the maneuver.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.F.R6: Landing surface.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.F.R7: Dynamic rollover.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.F.R8: Ground resonance.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.F.R9: Low rotor rpm.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.F.R10: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.F.R11: Collision hazards.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.F.R12: Vortex ring state (VRS).
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.F.R13: Aircraft limitations.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.F.R14: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.F.R15: Power requirements versus power available for the departure or arrival profile(s).
    • Require the student to verbalize trigger points for discontinuing or modifying the operation.
  • Part 4, Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.F.S1: Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.F.S2: Make radio calls as appropriate.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.F.S3: Confirm power available meets or exceeds the power required for the selected arrival or departure profile(s).
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.F.S4: Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.F.S5: Accomplish a proper high and low reconnaissance of the confined landing area.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.F.S6: Select a suitable approach path, termination point, and departure path.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.F.S7: Track the selected approach path at an acceptable approach angle and rate of closure to the termination point.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.F.S8: Continually evaluate the suitability of the confined landing area and termination point.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.F.S9: Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.F.S10: Accomplish a proper ground reconnaissance.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.F.S11: Terminate in a hover or on the surface, as appropriate.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.F.S12: Select a suitable takeoff point, considers factors affecting takeoff and climb performance under various conditions.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.F.S13: Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
    • 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) Confined Area Operations Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with confined area operations.
  • Ask the student to identify hazards, including Selection of approach path, termination point and departure path based on aircraft performance and limitations, wind, and availability of alternate sites., and explain how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the student to brief, perform, or explain how to Complete the appropriate checklist(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) Confined Area Operations 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) Confined Area Operations Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Confined Area Operations Airman Certification Standards

  • Area of Operation V: Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds.
  • Task F: Confined Area Operations.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with confined area operations.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
  • PH.V.F.K1:
    Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
  • PH.V.F.K2:
    Situations when a confined area approach and landing is recommended and factors related to landing performance including H/V diagram information.
  • PH.V.F.K3:
    High and low reconnaissance, including takeoff and departure planning.
  • PH.V.F.K4:
    Power requirements versus power available for the departure or arrival profile(s).
Risk Management 15 ACS Elements
  • PH.V.F.R1:
    Selection of approach path, termination point and departure path based on aircraft performance and limitations, wind, and availability of alternate sites.
  • PH.V.F.R2:
    Effects of:
    • PH.V.F.R2a:
      PH.V.F.R2a: a. Wind Direction
    • PH.V.F.R2b:
      PH.V.F.R2b: b. Windshear
    • PH.V.F.R2c:
      PH.V.F.R2c: c. Turbulence
  • PH.V.F.R3:
    H/V diagram information.
  • PH.V.F.R4:
    Go-around.
  • PH.V.F.R5:
    Forced landing during the maneuver.
  • PH.V.F.R6:
    Landing surface.
  • PH.V.F.R7:
    Dynamic rollover.
  • PH.V.F.R8:
    Ground resonance.
  • PH.V.F.R9:
    Low rotor rpm.
  • PH.V.F.R10:
    Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
  • PH.V.F.R11:
    Collision hazards.
  • PH.V.F.R12:
    Vortex ring state (VRS).
  • PH.V.F.R13:
    Aircraft limitations.
  • PH.V.F.R14:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • PH.V.F.R15:
    Power requirements versus power available for the departure or arrival profile(s).
Skills 13 ACS Elements
  • PH.V.F.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • PH.V.F.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • PH.V.F.S3:
    Confirm power available meets or exceeds the power required for the selected arrival or departure profile(s).
  • PH.V.F.S4:
    Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
  • PH.V.F.S5:
    Accomplish a proper high and low reconnaissance of the confined landing area.
  • PH.V.F.S6:
    Select a suitable approach path, termination point, and departure path.
  • PH.V.F.S7:
    Track the selected approach path at an acceptable approach angle and rate of closure to the termination point.
  • PH.V.F.S8:
    Continually evaluate the suitability of the confined landing area and termination point.
  • PH.V.F.S9:
    Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
  • PH.V.F.S10:
    Accomplish a proper ground reconnaissance.
  • PH.V.F.S11:
    Terminate in a hover or on the surface, as appropriate.
  • PH.V.F.S12:
    Select a suitable takeoff point, considers factors affecting takeoff and climb performance under various conditions.
  • PH.V.F.S13:
    Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Confined Area Operations Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent confined area operations 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.