Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan

Sport Pilot (Helicopter) • ACS Area VI, Task B

The Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-26.

Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter 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 straight-in autorotation in a single-engine helicopter 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 a straight-in autorotation to a power recovery.

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Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan

Materials

  • Required Materials:

    • Writing instrument and instructional surface.
    • FAA-S-ACS-26, Sport Pilot for Helicopter - Simplified Flight Controls 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:

Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter 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 VI, Task B, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with a straight-in autorotation to a power recovery.
  • Part 2, Knowledge Elements:
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude. (SH.VI.B.K1)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of main rotor (Nr) speed. (SH.VI.B.K2)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of energy management. (SH.VI.B.K3)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of causes and effects of high descent rates. (SH.VI.B.K4)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of effect of varying bank angles, airspeeds, and rotor rpm. (SH.VI.B.K5)
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with low entry altitudes. (SH.VI.B.R1)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with flight control inputs. (SH.VI.B.R2)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with turbulence, including wake turbulence. (SH.VI.B.R3)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with windshear. (SH.VI.B.R4)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with energy management. (SH.VI.B.R5)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with main rotor (Nr) speed. (SH.VI.B.R6)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with low rotor rpm or rotor stall, as applicable. (SH.VI.B.R7)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with main rotor(s) (Nr) overspeed. (SH.VI.B.R8)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with excessive rate of descent. (SH.VI.B.R9)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with powerplant failure during the maneuver. (SH.VI.B.R10)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with collision hazards. (SH.VI.B.R11)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with terminating an autorotation. (SH.VI.B.R12)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with power recovery and go-around. (SH.VI.B.R13)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. (SH.VI.B.R14)
    • 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). (SH.VI.B.S1)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to make radio calls as appropriate. (SH.VI.B.S2)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to select a suitable landing area. (SH.VI.B.S3)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to clear the area. (SH.VI.B.S4)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to select an appropriate entry altitude. (SH.VI.B.S5)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to initiate the maneuver at the proper point. (SH.VI.B.S6)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to establish power-off glide with the helicopter-simplified flight controls trimmed and autorotation airspeed, ±10 knots. (SH.VI.B.S7)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to maintain main rotor(s) (Nr) within normal limits. (SH.VI.B.S8)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to compensate for wind speed and direction as necessary to avoid undershooting or overshooting the selected landing area. (SH.VI.B.S9)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to use proper deceleration and collective pitch application or simplified flight controls that permit safe clearance between the aircraft tail boom and the surface, as applicable. (SH.VI.B.S10)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to initiate proper power recovery. (SH.VI.B.S11)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to terminate autorotation to a stabilized hover within 200 feet of a designated point. (SH.VI.B.S12)
    • 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.
Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with straight-in autorotation in a single-engine helicopter.
  • Ask the student to identify hazards, including Low entry altitudes, 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.
Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter 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.
Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 5 ACS Elements
  • SH.VI.B.K1:
    Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
  • SH.VI.B.K2:
    Main rotor (Nr) speed.
  • SH.VI.B.K3:
    Energy management.
  • SH.VI.B.K4:
    Causes and effects of high descent rates.
  • SH.VI.B.K5:
    Effect of varying bank angles, airspeeds, and rotor rpm.
Risk Management 14 ACS Elements
  • SH.VI.B.R1:
    Low entry altitudes.
  • SH.VI.B.R2:
    Flight control inputs.
  • SH.VI.B.R3:
    Turbulence, including wake turbulence.
  • SH.VI.B.R4:
    Windshear.
  • SH.VI.B.R5:
    Energy management.
  • SH.VI.B.R6:
    Main rotor (Nr) speed.
  • SH.VI.B.R7:
    Low rotor rpm or rotor stall, as applicable.
  • SH.VI.B.R8:
    Main rotor(s) (Nr) overspeed.
  • SH.VI.B.R9:
    Excessive rate of descent.
  • SH.VI.B.R10:
    Powerplant failure during the maneuver.
  • SH.VI.B.R11:
    Collision hazards.
  • SH.VI.B.R12:
    Terminating an autorotation.
  • SH.VI.B.R13:
    Power recovery and go-around.
  • SH.VI.B.R14:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 12 ACS Elements
  • SH.VI.B.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • SH.VI.B.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • SH.VI.B.S3:
    Select a suitable landing area.
  • SH.VI.B.S4:
    Clear the area.
  • SH.VI.B.S5:
    Select an appropriate entry altitude.
  • SH.VI.B.S6:
    Initiate the maneuver at the proper point.
  • SH.VI.B.S7:
    Establish power-off glide with the helicopter-simplified flight controls trimmed and autorotation airspeed, ±10 knots.
  • SH.VI.B.S8:
    Maintain main rotor(s) (Nr) within normal limits.
  • SH.VI.B.S9:
    Compensate for wind speed and direction as necessary to avoid undershooting or overshooting the selected landing area.
  • SH.VI.B.S10:
    Use proper deceleration and collective pitch application or simplified flight controls that permit safe clearance between the aircraft tail boom and the surface, as applicable.
  • SH.VI.B.S11:
    Initiate proper power recovery.
  • SH.VI.B.S12:
    Terminate autorotation to a stabilized hover within 200 feet of a designated point.
Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent straight-in autorotation in a single-engine helicopter 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.