Helicopter CFII PTS

by Philip Greenspun and Kasim Te; updated December 2008

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

This is intended to be used during a stage check for an CFII-H applicant in a Robinson R22 or R44. We assume that the applicant already has a CFI-H. It is a condensed version of the CFII-H FAA standards effective November 1, 2006. Specific numbers for manuevers are taken from the Instrument Pilot PTS standards effective January 1, 2009. 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 Preparation: instrument cockpit check (passenger briefing not required by PTS but do it anyway)
Air Traffic Control Clearances: determines possibility of compliance; sets up radios
Compliance with Departure, En Route, and Arrival Procedures and Clearances: describes pilot and controller responsibilities; describes two-way communications failure procedure; "applicable" airspeed ±10 knots; headings ±10 degrees; altitude ± 100 feet; CDI 3/4-scale deflection. Applicant: ___________
Straight-and-Level Flight: full panel and partial panel; altitude ±100 feet; headings ±10 degrees; airspeed ±10 knots. Applicant: ___________
Turns: knows relationship between airspeed and bank angle required for standard rate turn; partial panel for constant rate turn, including half-standard rate; altitude ±100 feet; heading ±10 degrees; airspeed ±10 knots; bank angles ±5 degrees. Applicant: ___________
Change of Airspeed in Straight-and-Level and Turning Flight: full and partial panel; airspeed ±10 knots; headings ±10 degrees; altitude ± 100 feet. Applicant: ___________
Constant Airspeed Climbs and Descents: full and partial panel; altitude ±100 feet; heading ±10 degrees; airspeed ±10 knots; bank angles ±5 degrees. Applicant: ___________
Constant Rate Climbs and Descents: full and partial panel; altitude ±100 feet; heading ±10 degrees; airspeed ±10 knots; bank angles ±5 degrees. Applicant: ___________
Timed Turns to Magnetic Compass Headings: full and partial panel; calibrates turn coordinator using full panel and the clock; altitude ±100 feet; heading ±10 degrees; airspeed ±10 knots; bank angles ±5 degrees. Applicant: ___________
Steep Turns: full and partial panel for entry and recovery; describes "precession of the horizon bar of the attitude indicator"; altitude ±100 feet; heading ±10 degrees; airspeed ±10 knots; bank angles ±5 degrees. Applicant: ___________
Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes: describes how people get into them; full and partial panel recovery.
Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Systems and DME Arcs: tunes and identifies; determines aircraft position; intercepts and maintains course or DME arc; recognizes waypoint passage; recognizes receiver or facility failure; airspeed ±10 knots; headings ±10 degrees; altitude ± 100 feet; CDI 3/4-scale deflection.
Holding Procedures: recognizes arrival and initiates entry; times procedure; corrects for wind drift; use of DME; makes required reports to ATC; airspeed ±10 knots; headings ±10 degrees; altitude ± 100 feet; CDI 3/4-scale deflection.
Non-Precision Instrument Approach (at least one without use of gyro heading and attitude indicators): tunes and identifies; determines operational status of navigation equipment; adjusts MDA and visibility for aircraft category; altitude ±100 feet, heading ±10 degrees; CDI 3/4-scale deflection maximum; airspeed ±10 knots; MDA +100 feet, -0 feet to the MAP. Applicant: ___________
Precision Approach: tunes and identifies; determines operational status of navigational equipment; adjusts DH and visibility for aircraft category; considers between straight-in, circling, or missed approach; altitude ±100 feet, heading ±10 degrees; CDI 3/4-scale deflection maximum; airspeed ±10 knots; establishes predetermined rate of descent at the glide slope. Applicant: ___________
Missed Approach: describes conditions requiring a missed approach; checklist for go-around; describes importance of positive aircraft control; reports to ATC; airspeed ±10 knots; heading ± 10 degrees; altitude ±100 feet. Applicant: ___________
Landing from a Straight-In Approach: completes checklist
Loss of Communications: recognizes loss; knows when to continue with flight plan or deviate; knows when to begin an approach at destination
Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators: advises ATC or examiner when unable to comply; non-precision approach without the use of the primary flight instruments
Postflight Procedures: can explain importance of noting improper operation of instruments and equipment

philg@mit.edu