Private Helicopter PTS

1 General Information

The flight standards division of Shergood Aviation as developed this test book to assist students, instructors and examiners in the conduct of practical tests for private pilot helicopter in the Shergood system. Flight instructors should use the book to help prepare applicants for practical tests. Applicants should be familiar with the this book and refer to these standards during their training.

1.1 Prerequisites

Applicants for a Private Helicopter rating in the Shergood system must meet the following qualifications:

1. Must have logged at least 10 hours of total flight time in a Shergood helicopter
2. Must have logged at least 3 hours of dual flight time in a Shergood helicopter in the previous 60 days
3. Must have a recommendation from a helicopter flight instructor

1.2 Special Emphasis Areas

Examiners shall place special emphasis upon certain areas of aircraft operation critical to flight safety. These shall include:

1. Positive Aircraft Control
2. Procedures for positive exchange of controls
3. Collision avoidance
4. Runway incursion avoidance
5. Wire strike avoidance
6. Risk management
7. Checklist usage
8. Adherence to all aircraft limitations

1.3 Aircraft and Equipment

The private pilot applicant is required to provide an airworthy, certificated aircraft for use during this practical test. In addition the aircraft must meet the following requirements:

1. Have fully functioning dual controls.
2. Be capable of performing all areas of operation appropriate to the rating sought.
3. Have all realism settings enabled.

1.4 Practical Test Procedures

The practical test shall consist of a knowledge portion and a flight portion. Generally the the test will begin with the knowledge potion and proceed to the flight portion only if the knowledge elements were satisfactory. Applicants shall be evaluates in ALL tasks listed for each area of operation.

1.5 Satisfactory Performance

Satisfactory performance is based on the applicants ability to safely:

1. Perform each task in each area of operation within the approved standards.
2. Demonstrate mastery of the aircraft with the successful outcome of each task never seriously in doubt.
3. Demonstrate sound judgement and aeronautical decision making.
4. Demonstrate single-pilot competence if the aircraft is certified for single-pilot operations.

1.6 Unsatisfactory Performance

The tolerances for each task represent the performance expected in good flying. If, in the judgement of the examiner, the applicant does not meet the standards of performance of any task performed, the area of operation is failed, and thus the practical test is failed.

The applicant or examiner may discontinue the test at any time once an area of operation has been failed. With the consent of the applicant, the test may be continue with the other areas of operation. The applicant will receive credit for all passed areas of operation. However, during the retest and at the discretion of the examiner, any task may be re-evaluated including those previously passed.

1.7 Discontinuance

When a practical test is discontinued for reasons other than unsatisfactory performance (e.g., RL interruption, equipment failure, weather, illness), then the examiner and applicant shall agree on a future time/place at which to continue the practical test. The applicant will receive credit for any tasks passed before the test was discontinued.

2 Areas of Operation

2.1 PREFLIGHT PREPARATION

• Obtain Weather current weather report, decode METAR and determine if conditions are suitable for VFR flight
• Flight Planning - prepare a flight plan, plan a cross country VFR flight, identifying and avoiding hazards. Select appropriate navigation facilities and identify communication frequencies.
• Identify and demonstrate understanding of all aircraft operating limitations

2.2 PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES

• Conduct a preflight inspection as prescribed in the aircraft manual