Helicopter CFI PTS

Site Home : Flying : One Article

This is intended to be used during a stage check for a CFI applicant in a Robinson R22 or R44. It is a condensed version of the FAA standards effective December 1, 2006. Where the PTS does not specify an airspeed, the number is from the Robinson POH or FAA Rotorcraft Flying Handbook (RFH). Use a red pen to mark an applicant's performance next to the FAA standard.

For each task: instructional knowledge, common errors (identify, analyze and correct simulated), demonstrate and explain.

Areas of Operation and Tasks

• Preflight Procedures: Single-Pilot Resource Management; Before Takeoff Check
• Airport and Heliport Operations: light gun signals


• Vertical Takeoff and Landing: ± half of intended altitude; max. 2' lateral/forward movement; no aft movement; heading within 10 degrees
• Hover Taxi: forward, backward, sideward; normal RPM; ±2' ground track; constant rate of turn; ±2' of pivot point; heading 10 degrees in turns, ±1/2 of intended altitude
• Air Taxi: normal RPM; safe airspeed and altitude (suggest 50 KIAS and 70'; RFH says < 100'); altitude ±5'
• Slope Operations: considers wind, obstacles, passenger unloading; recognition when too steep; heading ±5 degrees


• Normal and Crosswind Takeoff: stabilized hover; manufacturer's recommended airspeed (60 knots) ±5kts; wind shear/wake turbulence awareness
• Normal and Crosswind Approach: wind shear/wake turbulence/settling-with-power awareness, arrival ±2'
• Maximum Performance Takeoff: uses max power; after clearing obstacle, transitions to normal attitude, airspeed (60 knots ±5), and power
• Steep Approach: no more than 15-degree angle; avoids settling-with-power; arrival ±2'
• Shallow Approach and Running Landing: knows purpose of maneuver, effect of landing surface texture; ETL during surface contact; landing gear parallel with ground track
• Go-Around: 60 knots ±5


• Rapid Deceleration ("quick stop"): maintains tailboom clearance; heading ±5 degrees
• Straight-in Autorotation: R22: 65 knots; R44: 70 knots; ±5kts; RPM "within normal limits"; arrival within 100'; TD auto. Applicant: ___________
• 180-degree Autorotation: selects suitable touchdown area; 65/70 knots ±5; RPM normal; arrival within 100'; TD auto. Applicant: ___________


• Power Failure at a Hover: heading ±5 degrees; minimum sideward movement; no aft movement. Applicant: ___________
• Power Failure at Altitude: selects "suitable landing area"; 65/70 knots ±5; knows when and how to terminate the approach
• Settling with Power: know conditions conducive to; timely recognition of; recovery techniques; Commercial standards require selecting an altitude to permit recovery higher than 1000' AGL
• Low Rotor RPM Recovery: able to explain conditions likely to result in; consequences of failure to correct promptly; techniques for recovery


• Confined Area Operation: method of evaluating wind direction and speed; emergency landing areas; decide whether to terminate in hover or on surface;
• Pinnacle/Platform Operation: wind direction/speed; emergency landing areas; takeoff and climb performance
• Postflight Explanations: hazards of rotor downwash, engine temperature stabilization, securing blades, disembarking passengers safely, checklist usage