Private Pilot (Helicopter) Pinnacle Operations Lesson Plan

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

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

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Pinnacle 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 pinnacle 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 pinnacle operations.

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Private Pilot (Helicopter) Pinnacle 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) Pinnacle Operations Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review the reference materials, helicopter limitations, and local operating considerations.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Knowledge Elements:
    • Explain and discuss PH.V.G.K1: Elements of pinnacle/platform operations.
    • Explain and discuss PH.V.G.K2: Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
    • Explain and discuss PH.V.G.K3: Suitable takeoff point and departure flight path during climb.
    • Explain and discuss PH.V.G.K4: Situations when a pinnacle/platform approach, landing and takeoff is recommended and factors related to aircraft performance.
    • Explain and discuss PH.V.G.K5: Elements of a high and low reconnaissance.
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.G.R1: Selection of approach path, termination point and departure path based on aircraft performance and limitations, and wind.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.G.R2: Effects of:
      • PH.V.G.R2a: a. Wind Direction
      • PH.V.G.R2b: b. Windshear
      • PH.V.G.R2c: c. Turbulence
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.G.R3: H/V diagram information.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.G.R4: Go-around.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.G.R5: Powerplant failure during approach/landing phase of flight.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.G.R6: Collision hazards.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.G.R7: Vortex ring state (VRS).
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.G.R8: Landing surface.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.G.R9: Low rotor rpm.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.G.R10: Dynamic rollover.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.G.R11: Ground resonance.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.G.R12: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.G.R13: Aircraft limitations.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.G.R14: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.G.R15: Main and tail rotor hazards for passengers.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate PH.V.G.R16: Forced landing.
    • 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.G.S1: Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.G.S2: 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.G.S3: Make radio calls as appropriate.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.G.S4: Accomplish high and low reconnaissance.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.G.S5: Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.G.S6: Select a suitable approach path, termination point, and departure path.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.G.S7: Select an approach path considering wind direction.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.G.S8: 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.G.S9: Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.G.S10: Accomplish a proper ground reconnaissance.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.G.S11: Terminate in a hover or on the surface, as appropriate.
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to PH.V.G.S12: Select a suitable takeoff point and consider factors affecting takeoff and climb performance under various conditions.
    • 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) Pinnacle Operations Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with pinnacle operations.
  • Ask the student to identify hazards, including Selection of approach path, termination point and departure path based on aircraft performance and limitations, and wind., 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) Pinnacle 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) Pinnacle Operations Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Pinnacle Operations Airman Certification Standards

  • Task G: Pinnacle Operations.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with pinnacle operations.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 5 ACS Elements
  • PH.V.G.K1:
    Elements of pinnacle/platform operations.
  • PH.V.G.K2:
    Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
  • PH.V.G.K3:
    Suitable takeoff point and departure flight path during climb.
  • PH.V.G.K4:
    Situations when a pinnacle/platform approach, landing and takeoff is recommended and factors related to aircraft performance.
  • PH.V.G.K5:
    Elements of a high and low reconnaissance.
Risk Management 16 ACS Elements
  • PH.V.G.R1:
    Selection of approach path, termination point and departure path based on aircraft performance and limitations, and wind.
  • PH.V.G.R2:
    Effects of:
    • PH.V.G.R2a:
      a. Wind Direction
    • PH.V.G.R2b:
      b. Windshear
    • PH.V.G.R2c:
      c. Turbulence
  • PH.V.G.R3:
    H/V diagram information.
  • PH.V.G.R4:
    Go-around.
  • PH.V.G.R5:
    Powerplant failure during approach/landing phase of flight.
  • PH.V.G.R6:
    Collision hazards.
  • PH.V.G.R7:
    Vortex ring state (VRS).
  • PH.V.G.R8:
    Landing surface.
  • PH.V.G.R9:
    Low rotor rpm.
  • PH.V.G.R10:
    Dynamic rollover.
  • PH.V.G.R11:
    Ground resonance.
  • PH.V.G.R12:
    Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
  • PH.V.G.R13:
    Aircraft limitations.
  • PH.V.G.R14:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • PH.V.G.R15:
    Main and tail rotor hazards for passengers.
  • PH.V.G.R16:
    Forced landing.
Skills 12 ACS Elements
  • PH.V.G.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • PH.V.G.S2:
    Confirm power available meets or exceeds the power required for the selected arrival or departure profile(s).
  • PH.V.G.S3:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • PH.V.G.S4:
    Accomplish high and low reconnaissance.
  • PH.V.G.S5:
    Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
  • PH.V.G.S6:
    Select a suitable approach path, termination point, and departure path.
  • PH.V.G.S7:
    Select an approach path considering wind direction.
  • PH.V.G.S8:
    Track the selected approach path at an acceptable approach angle and rate of closure to the termination point.
  • PH.V.G.S9:
    Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
  • PH.V.G.S10:
    Accomplish a proper ground reconnaissance.
  • PH.V.G.S11:
    Terminate in a hover or on the surface, as appropriate.
  • PH.V.G.S12:
    Select a suitable takeoff point and consider factors affecting takeoff and climb performance under various conditions.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Pinnacle Operations Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent pinnacle 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.