Private Pilot for Rotorcraft Category Helicopter RatingFAA-S-ACS-15
Area of Operation IV
Hovering Maneuvers
5 Tasks
Task A Vertical Takeoff and Landing
References
14 CFR part 91; AC 90-95; 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 vertical takeoff and landing from a hover.
Knowledge
Elements related to a vertical takeoff to a hover and landing from a hover.
Effect of wind on flight control inputs.
Effect of weight and balance and various centers of gravity.
Ground effect.
Risk Management
Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
Dynamic rollover.
Ground resonance.
Powerplant failure during hover.
Skills
Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Comply with air traffic control (ATC) or evaluator instructions and make radio calls as appropriate.
Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
Ascend to and maintain recommended hovering altitude, and descend from recommended hovering altitude in headwind, crosswind, and tailwind conditions, without drift.
Maintain recommended hovering altitude, ±1/2 of that altitude within 10 feet of the surface, if above 10 feet, ±5 feet.
Maintain position within 4 feet of a designated point with no aft movement.
Descend vertically to within 4 feet of the designated touchdown point.
Maintain specified heading, ± 10°.
Task B Hover Taxi
References
AC 91-73; AIM; Chart Supplements; 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 hover taxi operations, including runway incursion avoidance.
Knowledge
Current airport aeronautical references and information resources such as the Chart Supplement, airport diagram, and Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs).
Hover taxi instructions, clearances, and limitations.
Airport/heliport/helipad/landing area, signs, markings, and lighting.
Visual indicators for wind.
Aircraft lighting, as appropriate.
Procedures for:
a. Pilot activities during taxiing
b. Safe hover taxi at towered and non-towered airports/heliports/helipads/landing areas
c. Entering or crossing runways
Height/Velocity (H/V) considerations.
Aircraft operating limitations.
Risk Management
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Reduced visibility or night taxi operations.
Runway incursion.
Other aircraft, vehicles, persons, and hazards.
Hazardous effects of downwash.
Main rotor, tail rotor, and tail strike hazards.
Height/Velocity (H/V) considerations.
Confirmation or expectation bias as related to taxi instructions.
Skills
Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Receive and correctly read back clearances/instructions, if applicable.
Use an airport diagram or taxi chart during taxi, if published, and maintain situational awareness.
Comply with airport/heliport taxiway markings, signals, and signs.
Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
Maintain a straight ground track within ±4 feet of a designated ground track.
Maintain recommended hovering altitude, ±1/2 of that altitude within 10 feet of the surface, if above 10 feet, ±5 feet.
Hover taxi over specified ground references, demonstrating forward, sideward, and rearward hovering and hovering turns.
Maintain a constant rate of turn at pivot points.
Maintain a position within 4 feet of each pivot point during turns.
Make a 360° pivoting turn, left and right, stopping within 10° of a specified heading.
Make smooth, timely, and correct control application during the maneuver.
Task C Air Taxi
References
AC 91-73; AIM; Chart Supplements; 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 air taxi operations.
Knowledge
Current airport aeronautical references and information resources such as the Chart Supplement, airport diagram, and Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs).
Air taxi instructions, clearances, and limitations.
Airport/heliport/helipad/landing area, signs, markings, and lighting.
Visual indicators for wind.
Aircraft lighting, as appropriate.
Procedures for:
a. Pilot activities during taxiing
b. Safe air taxi at towered and nontowered airports
c. Overflying of runways
Height/Velocity (H/V) considerations.
Risk Management
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Reduced visibility or night taxi operations.
Runway incursion.
Main rotor, tail rotor, and tail strike hazards.
H/V diagram performance in case of powerplant failure.
Confirmation or expectation bias as related to taxi instructions.
Skills
Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Use an airport diagram or taxi chart during taxi, if published, and maintain situational awareness.
Select a safe airspeed and altitude.
Maintain desired track and groundspeed in headwind and crosswind conditions, avoiding conditions that might lead to loss of tail rotor/antitorque effectiveness.
Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
Comply with airport/heliport/helipad/landing area markings, lights, signs, and ATC instructions.
Maintain specified altitude, ±10 feet.
Task D Taxiing with Wheel-Type Landing Gear
References
AC 91-73; AIM; Chart Supplements; 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 ground taxi operations, in a wheel-type aircraft, including runway incursion avoidance.
Knowledge
Current airport aeronautical references and information resources such as the Chart Supplement, airport diagram, and Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs).
Taxi instructions/clearances.
Airport/heliport/helipad/landing area, signs, markings, and lighting.
Visual indicators for wind.
Aircraft lighting, as appropriate.
Procedures for:
a. Appropriate flight deck activities prior to taxi, including route planning and identifying the location of Hot Spots
b. Safe taxi at towered and nontowered airports
c. Entering or crossing runways
Risk Management
Activities and distractions.
Confirmation or expectation bias as related to taxi instructions.
Runway incursion.
Speed during taxi and turns.
Appropriate thrust vector and brake use.
Airframe and rotor clearances during taxi.
Skills
Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Use an appropriate airport/heliport diagram or taxi chart, if published.
Properly position nosewheel/tailwheel, if applicable, locked or unlocked.
Position the flight controls properly for the existing wind conditions, with the landing gear in contact with the surface, avoiding conditions that might lead to loss of directional control.
Properly use cyclic, collective, and brakes as applicable to control speed while taxiing.
Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
Maintain specified track within 4 feet.
Position the helicopter relative to hold lines or a specified point.
Receive and comply with ATC clearances/instructions, if applicable.
Comply with airport/heliport taxiway markings, lights, and signals.
Task E Slope Operations
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 slope operations.
Note
See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
Knowledge
Elements related to slope operations.
Factors used for selecting an appropriate slope.
Effect of wind on slope operations.
Dynamic rollover considerations during slope operations and preventive/recovery techniques.
Helicopter slope limitations.
Risk Management
Operations on a slope.
Conditions leading to loss of tail rotor/antitorque effectiveness.
Embarking or disembarking passengers and rotor blade hazards.
Conditions leading to dynamic rollover.
Surface conditions.
Collision hazards.
Exceeding the manufacturer's slope limitations.
Skills
Select a suitable slope.
Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Properly approach the slope considering wind effect and obstacles.
Maintain powerplant and main rotor (Nr) speed within normal limits.
Maintain heading and ground position and prevent movement of aircraft on slope.
Make a smooth positive descent to touch the upslope skid or wheel(s) on the sloping surface.
Recognize if slope is too steep and abandon the operation prior to reaching cyclic control stops.
Maintain positive control while lowering the downslope skid or wheel to touchdown.
Neutralize controls after landing.
Make a smooth transition from the slope to a stabilized hover parallel to the slope.
Properly move away from the slope.
Maintain a specified heading throughout the operation, ±10°.