Instrument Rating - HelicopterFAA-S-ACS-14
Area of Operation I
Preflight Preparation
3 Tasks
Task A Pilot Qualifications
References
14 CFR part 61; AC 68-1; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with requirements to act as pilot-in-command under instrument flight rules.
Knowledge
Certification requirements, recency of experience, and recordkeeping.
Privileges and limitations.
Part 68 BasicMed privileges and limitations.
Risk Management
Proficiency versus currency.
Personal minimums.
Fitness for flight and physiological factors that might affect the pilot’s ability to fly under instrument conditions.
Flying unfamiliar helicopters or operating with unfamiliar flight display systems and avionics.
Skills
Apply requirements to act as pilot-in-command (PIC) under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) in a scenario given by the evaluator.
Task B Weather Information
References
14 CFR part 91; AC 91-92; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25, FAA-H-8083-28
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with obtaining, understanding, and applying weather information for a flight under IFR.
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 for flights conducted under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) to include 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.
Determine whether an alternate airport is required, and, if required, whether the selected alternate airport meets regulatory requirements.
Task C Cross-Country Flight Planning
References
14 CFR part 91; AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-16, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; IFR Enroute Charts; NOTAMs; IFR Navigation Charts
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with planning an IFR cross-country and filing an IFR flight plan.
Note
Preparation, presentation, and explanation of a computer-generated flight plan is an acceptable option.
Knowledge
Route planning, including consideration of:
a. Available navigational facilities
b. Special use airspace
c. Preferred routes
d. Primary and alternate airports
e. Enroute charts
f. Chart Supplements
g. NOTAMs
h. Terminal Procedures Publications (TPP)
Altitude selection accounting for terrain and obstacles, IFR cruising altitudes, and effect of wind and oxygen requirements.
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 an IFR flight plan.
Procedures for activating and closing an IFR flight plan in controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
Risk Management
Pilot.
Helicopter.
Environment (e.g., weather, icing, airports/heliports/helipads/landing areas, airspace, terrain, obstacles).
External pressures.
Limitations of air traffic control (ATC) services.
Limitations of electronic planning applications and programs.
Fuel planning.
Skills
Prepare, present, and explain a cross-country flight plan assigned by the evaluator including a risk analysis based on real time weather, which includes calculating time en route and fuel considering factors such as power settings, operating altitude, wind, fuel reserve requirements, and weight and balance requirements.
Recalculate fuel reserves based on a scenario provided by the evaluator.
Create a navigation plan and simulate filing an IFR flight plan.
Interpret departure, arrival, en route, and approach procedures with reference to appropriate and current charts.
Recognize contamination due to rotor or airframe icing and demonstrate knowledge of the adverse effects of icing during pre-takeoff, takeoff, cruise, and landing phases of flight as well as the corrective actions.
Apply pertinent information from appropriate and current aeronautical charts, Chart Supplements; Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) relative to airport, runway and taxiway closures; and other flight publications.