Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

Sport Pilot (Helicopter) • ACS Area V, Task C

The Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-26.

Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb 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 maximum performance takeoff and climb 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 maximum performance takeoff and climb.

Help Us Grow

Enjoy CFI Notebook? A one-time donation helps us create more high-quality lessons, quizzes, scenarios, graphics, and interactive tools.

One-Time Donation
Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb 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) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb 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 C, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with maximum performance takeoff and climb.
  • Part 2, Knowledge Elements:
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of situations where this maneuver is appropriate. (SH.V.C.K1)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind and temperature, on takeoff and climb performance. (SH.V.C.K2)
    • Explain and assess the student's understanding of factors affecting the profile of the height/velocity (H/V) diagram, as applicable. (SH.V.C.K3)
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with selection of takeoff path based on helicopter-simplified flight controls performance and limitations, available distance, and wind. (SH.V.C.R1)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with effects of: (SH.V.C.R2)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with crosswind (SH.V.C.R2a)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with windshear (SH.V.C.R2b)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with tailwind (SH.V.C.R2c)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with turbulence, including wake turbulence (SH.V.C.R2d)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with surface conditions (SH.V.C.R2e)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with abnormal operations including: (SH.V.C.R3)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with rejected takeoff (SH.V.C.R3a)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with powerplant failure in takeoff/climb phase of flight (SH.V.C.R3b)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with collision hazards. (SH.V.C.R4)
    • Use a helicopter scenario to have the student identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with low rotor rpm, as applicable. (SH.V.C.R5)
    • 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.V.C.R6)
    • 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.V.C.S1)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to make radio calls as appropriate. (SH.V.C.S2)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to use control inputs to initiate lift-off from the takeoff position using a forward climb attitude to fly the departure profile. (SH.V.C.S3)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to maintain powerplant and rotor rpm within normal limits. (SH.V.C.S4)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to use required takeoff power, or power as specified by the evaluator. (SH.V.C.S5)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to after clearing all obstacles, transition to normal climb attitude, airspeed, ±5 knots, and power setting. (SH.V.C.S6)
    • Demonstrate, then coach the student to maintain directional control, ground track, and proper wind-drift correction throughout the maneuver. (SH.V.C.S7)
    • 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) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During a planned helicopter flight, conditions require the student to apply the knowledge and procedures associated with maximum performance takeoff and climb.
  • Ask the student to identify hazards, including Selection of takeoff path based on helicopter performance and limitations, available distance, 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.
Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb 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) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb Airman Certification Standards

  • Area of Operation V: Takeoffs Landings And Go Arounds.
  • Task C: Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with maximum performance takeoff and climb.
  • References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
  • Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan.
Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
  • SH.V.C.K1:
    Situations where this maneuver is appropriate.
  • SH.V.C.K2:
    Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind and temperature, on takeoff and climb performance.
  • SH.V.C.K3:
    Factors affecting the profile of the height/velocity (H/V) diagram, as applicable.
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
  • SH.V.C.R1:
    Selection of takeoff path based on helicopter-simplified flight controls performance and limitations, available distance, and wind.
  • SH.V.C.R2:
    Effects of:
    • SH.V.C.R2a:
      Crosswind
    • SH.V.C.R2b:
      Windshear
    • SH.V.C.R2c:
      Tailwind
    • SH.V.C.R2d:
      Turbulence, including wake turbulence
    • SH.V.C.R2e:
      Surface conditions
  • SH.V.C.R3:
    Abnormal operations including:
    • SH.V.C.R3a:
      Rejected takeoff
    • SH.V.C.R3b:
      Powerplant failure in takeoff/climb phase of flight
  • SH.V.C.R4:
    Collision hazards.
  • SH.V.C.R5:
    Low rotor rpm, as applicable.
  • SH.V.C.R6:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 7 ACS Elements
  • SH.V.C.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • SH.V.C.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • SH.V.C.S3:
    Use control inputs to initiate lift-off from the takeoff position using a forward climb attitude to fly the departure profile.
  • SH.V.C.S4:
    Maintain powerplant and rotor rpm within normal limits.
  • SH.V.C.S5:
    Use required takeoff power, or power as specified by the evaluator.
  • SH.V.C.S6:
    After clearing all obstacles, transition to normal climb attitude, airspeed, ±5 knots, and power setting.
  • SH.V.C.S7:
    Maintain directional control, ground track, and proper wind-drift correction throughout the maneuver.
Sport Pilot (Helicopter) Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Consistent maximum performance takeoff and climb 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.