Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee Airman Certification System Working Group Interim Recommendation Report August 8, 2018 August 8, 2018 Yvette A. Rose Chair, Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee Federal Aviation Administration 800 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20591 Dear Ms. Rose, On behalf of the Airman Certification System Working Group (ACSWG), we submit the following interim recommendation report to the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) for consideration and implementation. The FAA and the aviation industry have continued its collaborative effort to improve airman training and testing by establishing an integrated, holistic airman certification system that clearly aligns testing with the certification standards, guidance, and reference materials, and maintains that alignment. As part of its ongoing effort, the ACSWG is presenting feedback on draft standards for the Private Pilot Rotorcraft Pilot Helicopter and Instrument Rating – Powered-Lift. Additionally, we have included recommendations on the Aviation Instructor Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9B) and the Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21B). Collectively, we recommend and endorse the committee’s transmittal of the working group recommendations to the FAA for further review, incorporation, and execution. We are confident that, by doing so, the safety of aviation will continue to markedly improve. Sincerely, David Oord Susan Parson Eric Crump ARAC Vice-Chair & ACSWG Chair FAA Representative ACSWG Subgroup Lead Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs Flight Standards Service Federal Aerospace Program Director Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Aviation Administration Polk State College Janeen Kochan, PhD, FRAeS, John “Mac” McWhinney Jackie Spanitz AMT ACS Subgroup Co-chair ACSWG Subgroup Lead ACSWG Subgroup Lead General Human Factors Scientist/Designated Pilot Examiner/ Senior Course Developer Manager Instructor Pilot King Schools, Inc. Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc. Aviation Research, Training, and Services, Inc. TABLE OF CONTENTS • Private Pilot Rotorcraft Pilot Helicopter o Airman Certification Standards • Instrument Rating – Powered-Lift o Airman Certification Standards • Aviation Instructor Handbook FAA-H-8083-9B o Handbook recommendations, Order 8900.2B suggested change, and draft chapter on risk management • Helicopter Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-21B o Recommendations Page 3 Private Pilot Rotorcraft Pilot Helicopter Airman Certification Standards FAA-S-ACS-15 FAA-S-ACS-15 U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Private Pilot Rotorcraft Pilot Helicopter Airman Certification Standards Xxxx 2018 Flight Standards Service Washington, DC 20591 Page 5 Acknowledgments The U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Airman Testing Standards Branch, AFS-630, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125 developed this Airman Certification Standards (ACS) document with the assistance of the aviation community. The FAA gratefully acknowledges the valuable support from the many individuals and organizations who contributed their time and expertise to assist in this endeavor. Availability This ACS is available for download from www.faa.gov. Please send comments regarding this document to [email protected]. Material in FAA-S-ACS-15 will be effective Xxxx XX, 2018. All previous editions of the Private Pilot – Practical Test Standards (PTS) will be obsolete as of this date for helicopter applicants. i Page 6 Foreword The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published the Private Pilot Helicopter Airman Certification Standards (ACS) document to communicate the aeronautical knowledge, risk management, and flight proficiency standards for the private pilot certification in the rotorcraft category, helicopter class. This ACS incorporates and supersedes FAA-S-8081-15A, Private Pilot-Rotorcraft Practical Test Standards, Change 1 for helicopter applicants only. The FAA views the ACS as the foundation of its transition to a more integrated and systematic approach to airman certification. The ACS is part of the safety management system (SMS) framework that the FAA uses to mitigate risks associated with airman certification training and testing. Specifically, the ACS, associated guidance, and test question components of the airman certification system are constructed around the four functional components of an SMS: • Safety Policy that defines and describes aeronautical knowledge, flight proficiency, and risk management as integrated components of the airman certification system; • Safety Risk Management processes through which both internal and external stakeholders identify changes in regulations, safety recommendations, or other factors. These changes are then evaluated to determine whether they require modification of airman testing and training materials; • Safety Assurance processes to ensure the prompt and appropriate incorporation of changes arising from new regulations and safety recommendations; and • Safety Promotion in the form of ongoing engagement with both external stakeholders (e.g., the aviation training industry) and FAA policy divisions. The FAA has developed this ACS and its associated guidance in collaboration with a diverse group of aviation training experts. The goal is to drive a systematic approach to all components of the airman certification system, including knowledge test question development and conduct of the practical test. The FAA acknowledges and appreciates the many hours that these aviation experts have contributed toward this goal. This level of collaboration, a hallmark of a robust safety culture, strengthens and enhances aviation safety at every level of the airman certification system. /s/ May XX, 2018 John S. Duncan Director, Flight Standards Service ii Page 7 Revision History Document # Description Revision Date Private Pilot Practical Test Standards for Rotorcraft, FAA-S-8081-15A July, 2005 (Change 1) Private Pilot – Rotorcraft Helicopter Airman FAA-S-ACS-15 Xxxx, 2018 Certification Standards iii Page 8 Record of Changes Original – June XX, 2018 iv Page 9 Major Enhancements to Version FAA-S-ACS-15 v Page 10 This page intentionally left blank. vi Page 11 Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Airman Certification Standards Concept ................................................................................................................. 1 Using the ACS ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 I. Preflight Preparation ............................................................................................................................................ 1 A. Pilot Qualifications ....................................................................................................................................... 3 B. Airworthiness Requirements ........................................................................................................................ 4 C. Weather Information .................................................................................................................................... 5 D. Cross-Country Flight Planning ..................................................................................................................... 6 E. National Airspace System ............................................................................................................................ 7 F. Performance and Limitations ....................................................................................................................... 8 G. Operation of Systems .................................................................................................................................. 9 H. Human Factors .......................................................................................................................................... 10 II. Preflight Procedures ........................................................................................................................................... 11 A. Preflight Assessment ................................................................................................................................. 11 B. Pilot Station Management .......................................................................................................................... 12 C. Powerplant Starting and Rotor Engegement ............................................................................................. 13 D. Before Takeoff Check ............................................................................................................................. 104 III. Airport and Heliport Operations.......................................................................................................................... 15 A. Communications and Light Signals ........................................................................................................... 15 B. Traffic Patterns ......................................................................................................................................... 125 C. Airport Runway/Taxiway/Heliport/Helipad Signs, Markings, and Lighting ............................................... 137 IV. Hovering Maneuvers .........................................................................................................................................