Private Pilot (Helicopter) Steep Approach Lesson Plan

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

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

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Steep Approach 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 steep approach 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 steep approach.

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Private Pilot (Helicopter) Steep Approach 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) Steep Approach 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 assess the student's understanding of A stabilized steep approach. (PH.V.D.K1)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of approach techniques and applicability. (PH.V.D.K2)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of performance data and the height velocity (H/V) diagram. (PH.V.D.K3)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of effects of atmospheric conditions on approach and landing performance. (PH.V.D.K4)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of wind correction techniques. (PH.V.D.K5)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of aircraft performance and limitations. (PH.V.D.K6)
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with selection of approach path and landing based on aircraft performance and limitations, and wind. (PH.V.D.R1)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with effects of: (PH.V.D.R2)
      • Wind Direction (PH.V.D.R2a)
      • Windshear (PH.V.D.R2b)
      • Turbulence, including wake turbulence (PH.V.D.R2c)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with planning for. (PH.V.D.R3)
      • Rejected landing and go-around (PH.V.D.R3a)
      • Powerplant failure during the approach (PH.V.D.R3b)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with collision hazards. (PH.V.D.R4)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with vortex ring state (VRS). (PH.V.D.R5)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with landing surface. (PH.V.D.R6)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with aircraft limitations. (PH.V.D.R7)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. (PH.V.D.R8)
      • Teach and assess the learner's ability to identify and assess the hazards associated with distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation; select and justify effective controls for the risks associated with distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). (PH.V.D.R9)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with degraded Visual Environment (DVE) and flat light conditions. (PH.V.D.R10)
    • Require the student to verbalize trigger points for discontinuing or modifying the operation.
  • Part 4, Skill Development:
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to complete the appropriate checklist(s). (PH.V.D.S1)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to make radio calls as appropriate. (PH.V.D.S2)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to consider the wind direction and conditions, landing surface, and obstacles. (PH.V.D.S3)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to select a suitable termination point. (PH.V.D.S4)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to establish and maintain a steep approach angle, (15° maximum) and proper rate of closure. (PH.V.D.S5)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to maintain proper ground track with crosswind correction, if necessary. (PH.V.D.S6)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits. (PH.V.D.S7)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to arrive at the termination point, on the surface or at a stabilized hover, ±4 feet. (PH.V.D.S8)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to use runway incursion avoidance procedures, if applicable. (PH.V.D.S9)
    • 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) Steep Approach Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with steep approach.
  • Ask the student to identify hazards, including Selection of approach path and landing 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) Steep Approach 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) Steep Approach Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Helicopter) Steep Approach Airman Certification Standards

  • Task D: Steep Approach.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with steep approach.
  • References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Knowledge 6 ACS Elements
  • PH.V.D.K1:
    A stabilized steep approach.
  • PH.V.D.K2:
    Approach techniques and applicability.
  • PH.V.D.K3:
    Performance data and the height velocity (H/V) diagram.
  • PH.V.D.K4:
    Effects of atmospheric conditions on approach and landing performance.
  • PH.V.D.K5:
    Wind correction techniques.
  • PH.V.D.K6:
    Aircraft performance and limitations.
Risk Management 10 ACS Elements
  • PH.V.D.R1:
    Selection of approach path and landing based on aircraft performance and limitations, and wind.
  • PH.V.D.R2:
    Effects of:
    • PH.V.D.R2a:
      Wind Direction
    • PH.V.D.R2b:
      Windshear
    • PH.V.D.R2c:
      Turbulence, including wake turbulence
  • PH.V.D.R3:
    Planning for.
    • PH.V.D.R3a:
      Rejected landing and go-around
    • PH.V.D.R3b:
      Powerplant failure during the approach
  • PH.V.D.R4:
    Collision hazards.
  • PH.V.D.R5:
    Vortex ring state (VRS).
  • PH.V.D.R6:
    Landing surface.
  • PH.V.D.R7:
    Aircraft limitations.
  • PH.V.D.R8:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • PH.V.D.R9:
    Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
  • PH.V.D.R10:
    Degraded Visual Environment (DVE) and flat light conditions.
Skills 9 ACS Elements
  • PH.V.D.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • PH.V.D.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • PH.V.D.S3:
    Consider the wind direction and conditions, landing surface, and obstacles.
  • PH.V.D.S4:
    Select a suitable termination point.
  • PH.V.D.S5:
    Establish and maintain a steep approach angle, (15° maximum) and proper rate of closure.
  • PH.V.D.S6:
    Maintain proper ground track with crosswind correction, if necessary.
  • PH.V.D.S7:
    Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
  • PH.V.D.S8:
    Arrive at the termination point, on the surface or at a stabilized hover, ±4 feet.
  • PH.V.D.S9:
    Use runway incursion avoidance procedures, if applicable.
Private Pilot (Helicopter) Steep Approach Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent steep approach 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.