Helicopter ATP PTS

by Philip Greenspun and Kasim Te; updated December 2008

Used in helicopter training at East Coast Aero Club in Boston.

This is used during stage checks for helicopter ATP applicants in a Robinson R44 IFR Trainer. It is a condensed version of the helicopter ATP FAA standards effective August 1, 1998. Where the PTS does not specify an airspeed, the number is from the Robinson POH or FAA Rotorcraft Flying Handbook (RFH). Each task requires "demonstrating sound judgment and CRM". Use a red pen to mark an applicant's performance next to the FAA standard.

Areas of Operation and Tasks

Preflight: Can explain what maintenance may be performed by pilot.
Powerplant Start: follows ground safety procedures; appropriate use of ground crew; follows checklist.
Taxiing: ±1/2 of the hover altitude; ±2' desired track hovering; altitude ±10' of desired in air taxi; avoids LTE; maintains "constant vigilance and control".
Pretakeoff Checks: states reason for checklist items; explains possible malfunctions; divides attention inside and outside; sets up instruments; reviews procedures for emergency and abnormal takeoff situations.
Normal and Crosswind Takeoff: uses checklist; verifies powerplant performance; sets power to predetermined value; heading ±5 degrees; "desired airspeed" (60 knots) ±5 knots.
Instrument Takeoff (use hood at 100' AGL): uses checklist; sets flight instruments prior to takeoff; heading ± 5 degrees; airspeed ± 5 knots. Applicant: ___________
Powerplant Failure During Takeoff: considers operational factors prior to takeoff; establishes power-off descent appx. straight-ahead, if airborne; simulate failure no lower than 500'.
Rejected Takeoff: considers operational factors prior to takeoff; uses checklist; aborts takeoff if failure occurs prior to becoming airborne.
Instrument Departure: can demonstrate setting up and flying a SID.
Steep Turns (w/ hood): selects "recommended" altitude; bank, "as appropriate", not to exceed 30 degrees; bank angle ±5 degrees; altitude ±100'; airspeed ±10 knots; rolls out ±10 degrees of entry heading. Applicant: ___________
Powerplant Failure (w/o hood in flight): "recommended" autorotation speed ±5 knots; selects "suitable" landing area; avoids undershooting or overshooting; if altitude permits, determines cause of failure and if restart is viable; performs memory checklist items; terminates at safe altitude or as briefed by examiner prior to flight.
Recovery from Unusual Attitudes (w/ hood): recovers from both nose-high and nose-low attitudes
Settling-with-Power (w/o hood): describes relationship of gross weight, RPM, and DA to descent rate; above 1,500', demonstrates entry; recovers at first indication
Instrument Arrival: uses checklists; "appropriate" airspeed ±10 knots; heading ±10 degrees; altitude ±100'.
Holding: calculates holding endurance; remains within protected airspace; required reports to ATC; proper timing; arrives over fix as close as possible to the "expect further clearance" time; airspeed ±10 knots; altitude ±100'; headings ±10 degrees. Applicant: ___________
Precision Instrument Approaches (2): prior to final approach segment, altitude ±100 feet, airspeed ±10 knots, heading ±5 degrees; adjusts DH and visibility; establishes predetermined rate of descent; on glide slope, localizer no more than 1/4-scale deflection, airspeed ±5 knots. Applicant: ___________
Nonprecision Instrument Approaches (at least 2, with at least one procedure turn, different approach systems, and one manually w/o radar vectors): prior to final approach segment, altitude ±100', airspeed ±10 knots, heading ±5 degrees; applies adjustments to MDA and visibility; on final approach segment, maximum 1/4-scale deflection CDI; airspeed ±5 knots; MDA, when reached, -0', +50'. Applicant: ___________
Missed Approach (at least 2, with at least one from precision): uses checklist; altitudes ±100'; airspeed ±5 knots; heading ±5 degrees. Applicant: ___________
Normal and Crosswind Approaches and Landings (w/o hood): ground track ±5 degrees for desired traffic pattern; corrects for wind; terminates ±2' of point; uses after-landing checklist.
Rejected Landing (w/o hood): makes timely decision to reject; "appropriate" airspeed ±5 knots; trims and maintains proper ground track ±5 degrees; uses checklist.
Demonstrates Proper Use of Systems: powerplant, fuel/electrical/hydraulic systems, navigation and avionics, emergency equipment
Emergency Procedures: inflight fire and smoke removal; emergency descent; autorotation; ditching, emergency evacuation
Postflight Procedures: proper spacing; parking and securing; knows how to log flight time and discrepancies

philg@mit.edu