Flight Instructor for Rotorcraft Category Helicopter RatingFAA-S-ACS-29
Area of Operation III
Preflight Preparation
3 Tasks
Task A Pilot Qualifications
References
14 CFR parts 61, 68, 91; AC 60-28, AC 68-1; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-4, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/RFM
Objective
To determine the applicant understands pilot training and qualification requirements for different levels of pilot certificate including student pilot, recreational pilot, private pilot, commercial pilot, and flight instructor; can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
Knowledge
Certification, currency, and recordkeeping requirements, including training and logbook entries.
Privileges and limitations of pilot certificates and ratings at student pilot, recreational, private, commercial, and flight instructor levels.
Medical certificates: class, expiration, privileges, temporary disqualifications, and operations under BasicMed.
Documents pilots must possess to exercise privileges of the specified certificate(s) and rating(s).
Risk Management
Proficiency versus currency.
Flying an unfamiliar helicopter or operating with unfamiliar flight display systems and avionics.
Skills
Deliver instruction on at least two of the elements specified in K1 through K4.
Task B Airworthiness Requirements
References
14 CFR parts 27, 29, 39, 43, 91; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-4, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25
Objective
To determine the applicant understands airworthiness requirements, including aircraft certificates, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
Knowledge
General airworthiness requirements and compliance for helicopters, 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 a scenario given by the evaluator.
Task C Weather Information
References
14 CFR part 91; AC 91-92; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-4, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25, FAA-H-8083-28
Objective
To determine the applicant understands weather information, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
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.