Commercial Pilot for Rotorcraft Category Helicopter RatingFAA-S-ACS-16
Area of Operation I
Preflight Preparation
9 Tasks
Task A Pilot Qualifications
References
14 CFR parts 61, 68, 91, 119.1(e); AC 68-1; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with airman and medical certificates including privileges, limitations, currency, and operating as pilot-in- command as a commercial pilot.
Knowledge
Certification requirements, recent flight experience, and recordkeeping.
Privileges and limitations.
Medical certificates: class, expiration, privileges, temporary disqualifications.
Documents required to exercise commercial pilot privileges.
Part 68 BasicMed privileges and limitations.
Risk Management
Proficiency versus currency.
Flying an unfamiliar helicopter or operating with unfamiliar flight display systems and avionics.
Skills
Apply requirements to act as pilot-in-command (PIC) under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in a scenario given by the evaluator.
Task B Airworthiness Requirements
References
14 CFR parts 27, 29, 39, 43, 91; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with airworthiness requirements, including aircraft certificates.
Knowledge
General airworthiness requirements and compliance for a helicopter, including:
a. Location and expiration dates of required aircraft certificates
b. Required inspections and aircraft logbook documentation
c. Airworthiness Directives and Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins
d. Purpose and procedure for obtaining a special flight permit
Pilot-performed preventive maintenance.
Equipment requirements for day and night VFR flight, including:
a. Flying with inoperative equipment
b. Using an approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL)
c. Kinds of Operation Equipment List (KOEL)
d. Required discrepancy records or placards
Special airworthiness certificate aircraft operating limitations, if applicable.
Risk Management
Inoperative equipment discovered prior to flight.
Skills
Locate and describe helicopter airworthiness and registration information.
Determine the helicopter is airworthy in the scenario given by the evaluator.
Apply appropriate procedures for operating with inoperative equipment in the scenario given by the evaluator.
Task C Weather Information
References
14 CFR part 91; AC 91-92; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-25, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-28
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with weather information for a flight under VFR.
Note
If K2 is selected, the evaluator must assess the applicant’s knowledge of at least three sub-elements.
Note
If K3 is selected, the evaluator must assess the applicant’s knowledge of at least three sub-elements.
Knowledge
Sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes.
Acceptable weather products and resources required for preflight planning, current and forecast weather for departure, en route, and arrival phases of flight such as:
a. Airport Observations (METAR and SPECI) and Pilot Observations (PIREP)
b. Surface Analysis Chart, Ceiling and Visibility Chart (CVA)
c. Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)
d. Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA)
e. Wind and Temperature Aloft Forecast (FB)
f. Convective Outlook (AC)
g. Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories including Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET), Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET), and Convective SIGMET
Meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination under visual flight rules (VFR) in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), including expected climate and hazardous conditions such as:
a. Atmospheric composition and stability
b. Wind (e.g., windshear, mountain wave, factors affecting wind, etc.)
c. Temperature and heat exchange
d. Moisture/precipitation
e. Weather system formation, including air masses and fronts
f. Clouds
g. Turbulence
h. Thunderstorms and microbursts
i. Icing and freezing level information
j. Fog/mist
k. Frost
l. Obstructions to visibility (e.g., smoke, haze, volcanic ash, etc.)
Flight deck instrument displays of digital weather and aeronautical information.
Risk Management
Making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, including:
a. Circumstances that would make diversion prudent
b. Personal weather minimums
c. Hazardous weather conditions, including known or forecast icing or turbulence aloft
Use and limitations of:
a. Installed onboard weather equipment
b. Aviation weather reports and forecasts
c. Inflight weather resources
Skills
Use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing.
Analyze the implications of at least three of the conditions listed in K3a through K3l, using actual weather or weather conditions provided by the evaluator.
Correlate weather information to make a go/no-go decision.
Task D Cross-Country Flight Planning
References
14 CFR part 91; AC 91.21-1; AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; Helicopter Route Charts; NOTAMs; VFR Navigation Charts
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with cross-country flights and VFR flight planning.
Note
Preparation, presentation, and explanation of a computer-generated flight plan is an acceptable option.
Knowledge
Route planning, including consideration of different classes and special use airspace (SUA) and selection of appropriate and available navigation/communication systems and facilities.
a. Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used
Altitude selection accounting for terrain and obstacles, autorotation requirements of the helicopter, VFR cruising altitudes, and the effect of wind.
Calculating:
a. Time, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed, and groundspeed
b. Estimated time of arrival, including conversion to universal coordinated time (UTC)
c. Fuel requirements, including reserve
Elements of a VFR flight plan.
Procedures for filing, activating, and closing a VFR flight plan.
Inflight intercept procedures.
Risk Management
Pilot.
Aircraft.
Environment (e.g., weather, airports, airspace, terrain, obstacles, including wire strike hazards).
External pressures.
Limitations of air traffic control (ATC) services.
Fuel planning.
Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
Skills
Prepare, present, and explain a cross-country flight plan assigned by the evaluator, including a risk analysis based on real-time weather, to the first fuel stop.
Apply pertinent information from appropriate and current aeronautical charts, Chart Supplements; Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) relative to airport/heliport/helipad/landing area, runway and taxiway closures; and other flight publications.
Create a navigation log and prepare a VFR flight plan.
Recalculate fuel reserves based on a scenario provided by the evaluator.
Use an electronic flight bag (EFB), if applicable.
Task E National Airspace System
References
14 CFR parts 71, 91, 93; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; Helicopter Route Charts; VFR Navigation Charts
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with National Airspace System (NAS) operations under VFR as a commercial pilot.
Knowledge
Airspace classes and associated requirements and limitations.
Chart symbols.
Special use airspace (SUA), special flight rules areas (SFRA), temporary flight restrictions (TFR), and other airspace areas.
Special visual flight rules (VFR) requirements.
Risk Management
Various classes and types of airspace.
Skills
Identify and comply with the requirements for basic VFR weather minimums and flying in particular classes of airspace.
Correctly identify airspace and operate in accordance with associated communication and equipment requirements.
Identify the requirements for operating in SUA or within a TFR. Identify and comply with special air traffic rules (SATR) and SFRA operations, if applicable.
Task F Performance and Limitations
References
FAA-H-8083-1, FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with operating a helicopter safely within the parameters of its performance capabilities and limitations.
Knowledge
Elements related to performance and limitations by explaining the use of charts, tables, and data to determine performance.
Factors affecting performance, including:
a. Atmospheric conditions
b. Pilot technique
c. Helicopter configuration
d. Airport, heliport, helipad, or unprepared surface environment
e. Loading and weight and balance
Aerodynamics.
Height/Velocity (H/V) diagram according to the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM).
Risk Management
Use of performance charts, tables, and data.
Helicopter limitations.
Possible differences between calculated performance and actual performance.
Exceeding weight limits.
Operating outside of CG limits.
Shifting, adding, and removing weight.
Retreating blade stall.
Situations that lead to loss of tail rotor/antitorque effectiveness (LTE).
Skills
Compute the weight and balance, correct out-of-center of gravity loading errors and determine if the weight and balance remains within limits during all phases of flight.
Use appropriate helicopter performance charts, tables, and data.
Task G Operation of Systems
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with safe operation of systems on the helicopter provided for the flight test.
Note
If K1 is selected, the evaluator must assess the applicant's knowledge of at least three sub-elements.
Knowledge
Helicopter systems, including:
a. Flight controls, trim, and if installed, stability control
b. Powerplant(s)
c. Main rotor and antitorque systems
d. Transmission and associated drive shafts
e. Fuel, oil, and hydraulic
f. Avionics
g. Landing gear, brakes, steering, skids, or floats, as applicable
h. Electrical
i. Pitot-static, vacuum/pressure, and associated flight instruments
j. Environmental
k. Anti-icing and deicing, including carburetor heat, if applicable
Indications of and procedures for managing system abnormalities or failures.
Risk Management
Detection of system malfunctions or failures.
Management of a system failure.
Monitoring and management of automated systems.
Skills
Operate at least three of the helicopter’s systems listed in K1a through K1k.
Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Task H Human Factors
References
AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with personal health, flight physiology, and aeromedical and human factors related to safety of flight.
Knowledge
Symptoms, recognition, causes, effects, and corrective actions associated with aeromedical and physiological issues, including:
a. Hypoxia
b. Hyperventilation
c. Middle ear and sinus problems
d. Spatial disorientation
e. Motion sickness
f. Carbon monoxide poisoning
g. Stress
h. Fatigue
i. Dehydration and nutrition
j. Hypothermia
k. Optical illusions
l. Dissolved nitrogen in the bloodstream after scuba dives
Regulations regarding use of alcohol and drugs.
Effects of alcohol, drugs, and over-the-counter medications.
Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) to include using Crew Resource Management (CRM) or Single- Pilot Resource Management (SRM), as appropriate.
Risk Management
Aeromedical and physiological issues.
Hazardous attitudes.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Confirmation and expectation bias.
Skills
Associate the symptoms and effects for at least three of the conditions listed in K1a through K1l with the cause(s) and corrective action(s).
Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, for actual flight or a scenario given by the evaluator.
Task I Night Operations
References
14 CFR part 91; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge and risk management associated with night operations.
Knowledge
Physiological aspects of vision related to night flying.
Personal equipment essential for night flight.
Helicopter equipment and lighting requirements for night operations.
Lighting systems identifying airports/heliports/helipads/landing areas, runways, taxiways and obstructions, as well as pilot controlled lighting.
Night orientation, navigation, chart reading techniques and methods for maintaining night vision effectiveness.
Night taxi operations.
Interpretation of traffic position and direction based solely on position lights.
Visual illusions at night.
Appropriate use of automation, if applicable.
Risk Management
Collision hazards.
Runway incursion.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Effect of visual illusions and night adaptation during all phases of night flying.
Night currency versus proficiency.
Weather considerations specific to night operations.
Inoperative equipment.
Skills
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