AC 61-129

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration

AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT

AND AIRCRAFT TYPE RATING Practical Test Standards for

HELICOPTER August 1998

FLIGHT STANDARDS SERVICE Washington, DC 20591 FAA-S-8081-20

AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT

AND AIRCRAFT TYPE RATING Practical Test Standards for

HELICOPTER 1998

FLIGHT STANDARDS SERVICE WASHINGTON, DC 20591

FAA-S-8081-20 NOTE Previous editions of the Airline Transport Pilot and Aircraft Type Rating Practical Test Standards contained the standards for both airplane and helicopter. The airplane and helicopter standards are now published as two separate practical test standards books. The standards for helicopter are contained in this practical test standards book. The standards for airplane are contained in another separate practical test standards book.

Material in FAA-S-8081-20 will be effective August 1, 1998.

All previous editions of the Airline Transport Pilot and Aircraft Type Rating — Helicopter Practical Test Standards will be obsolete as of this date.

FAA-S-8081-20

FOREWORD The Airline Transport Pilot and Aircraft Type Rating — Helicopter Practical Test Standards (PTS) book has been published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish the standards for airline transport pilot and aircraft type rating practical tests for helicopters. FAA inspectors, designated pilot examiners, and check airmen (referred to as examiners throughout the remaining practical test standards) shall conduct practical tests in compliance with these standards. Flight instructors and applicants should find these standards helpful in practical test preparation.

_______________________________ Thomas E. Stuckey Acting Director, Flight Standards Service

FAA-S-8081-20i

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION1

General Information1

Practical Test Standard Concept2

Practical Test Book Description2

Use of the Practical Test Standards4

Practical Test Prerequisites: Airline Transport Pilot5

Practical Test Prerequisites: Aircraft Type Rating6

Aircraft Type Ratings Limited to VFR7

Aircraft and Equipment Requirements for the Practical Test8

Use of FAA-Approved Flight Simulator or Flight Training

Device8

Examiner Responsibility9

Satisfactory Performance10

Unsatisfactory Performance10

Recording Unsatisfactory Performance12

Crew Resource Management (CRM)12

How the Examiner Applies CRM13

Applicant’s Use of Checklists14

Use of Distractions During Practical Tests14

Metric Conversion Initiative14

SECTION 1: PREFLIGHT PREPARATION

CONTENTS1-i

AREA OF OPERATION:

I. PREFLIGHT PREPARATION1-1

SECTION 2: PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES, INFLIGHT MANEUVERS,

AND POSTFLIGHT PROCEDURES

CONTENTS2-i

AREAS OF OPERATION:

II. PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES2-1

III. TAKEOFF AND DEPARTURE PHASE2-5

IV. INFLIGHT MANEUVERS2-10

V. INSTRUMENT PROCEDURES2-14

VI. LANDINGS AND APPROACHES TO LANDINGS2-21

VII. NORMAL AND ABNORMAL PROCEDURES2-24

VIII. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES2-25

IX. POSTFLIGHT PROCEDURES2-26

FAA-S-8081-20 ii APPENDIX 1—TASK VS. SIMULATION DEVICE CREDIT TASK VS. SIMULATION DEVICE CREDIT.............Appendix 1-1 USE OF CHART.......................................................Appendix 1-1 LEVEL OF SIMULATION DEVICE...........................Appendix 1-2

FAA-S-8081-201

INTRODUCTION General Information The Flight Standards Service of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has developed this practical test standard (PTS) book to be used by examiners when conducting airline transport pilot and aircraft type rating practical tests (knowledge of the equipment and flight tasks) in helicopters. Instructors are expected to use this book when preparing applicants for practical tests. Applicants should refer to these standards during their training.

Information considered directive in nature is described in this practical test standard in terms such as “shall” and “must” indicating the actions are mandatory. Guidance information is described in terms such as “should” and “may” indicating the actions are desirable or permissi ve but not mandatory.

The FAA gratefully acknowledges the valuable assistance provided by many individuals and companies who contributed their time and talent in assisting with the development of this practical test standard.

This practical test standard may be accessed through the FedWorld Information System by computer modem at 703-321-3339. It may also be accessed on the Internet at www.fedworld.gov/pub/faa-att. This address goes to the index of training and testing files in the FAA-ATT Library on FedWorld. Subsequent changes to this standard, in accordance with AC 60- 27, Announcement of Availability: Changes to Practical Test Standards, will be available through FedWorld and then later incorporated into a printed revision. For a listing of changes, AFS-600’s Internet web site may be accessed at www.mmac.jccbi.gov/afs/afs600.

This publication may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.

Comments regarding this publication should be sent to:

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards Service Airman Testing Standards Branch, AFS-630 P.O. Box 25082 Oklahoma City, OK 73125

FAA-S-8081-20 2 Practical Test Standard Concept Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61 specifies the areas in which knowledge and skills must be demonstrated by the applicant before the issuance of an airline transport pilot certificate and aircraft type rating in helicopters. The CFR’s provide the flexibility to permit the FAA to publish practical test standards containing specific TASKS in which pilot competency must be demonstrated. The FAA will revise this book whenever it is determined that changes are needed in the interest of safety. Adherence to provisions of the regulations and the practical test standards is mandatory for the evaluation of pilot applicants.

For some aircraft types, provisions of FAA Flight Standardization Board (FSB) Reports may specify details as to how 14 CFR part 61 and this practical test standard apply to certain maneuvers, TASKS, procedures, or knowledge areas. Airmen certification credits applicable to part 135 operators may be permitted in accordance with Special Federal Aviation Regulations (SFAR) 58, and FSB Reports.

Part 61.157(f) provides that the successful completion of both a competency check under § 135.293 and a pilot-in-command check under § 135.297, satisfies the requirements for the appropriate aircraft rating. Any check or combination of checks used to satisfy the requirements must include all maneuvers and procedures required for the issuance of a type rating. Any check must be evaluated by a designated examiner, check airman, or FAA inspector.

Practical Test Book Description This test book contains the Airline Transport Pilot and Aircraft Type Rating Practical Test Standards — Helicopter.

The Airline Transport Pilot and Aircraft Type Rating Practical Test Standards — Helicopter includes AREAS OF OPERATION and TASKS for the initial issuance of an airline transport pilot certificate and for the addition of category, class, and aircraft type ratings to that certificate.

The AREAS OF OPERATION are divided into two sections. The first AREA OF OPERATION in each section is conducted on the ground to determine the applicant’s knowledge of the aircraft, equipment, performance, and limitations. The eight AREAS OF OPERATION in the second section are considered to be in flight. All eight AREAS OF OPERATION in the second section test the applicant’s skill and knowledge.

FAA-S-8081-203 If all increments of the practical test are not completed on one date, all remaining increments of the test must be satisfactorily completed not more than 60 calendar days after the date on which the applicant began the test.

AREAS OF OPERATION are phases of the practical test arranged in a logical sequence within each standard. They begin with preflight preparation and end with postflight procedures. The examiner may combine TASKS with similar objectives and conduct the practical test in any sequence that will result in a complete and efficient test.

TASKS are titles of knowledge areas, flight procedures, or maneuvers appropriate to an AREA OF OPERATION.

NOTE is used to emphasize special considerations required in the AREA OF OPERATION.

The Objective lists the important ELEMENTS that must be satisfactorily performed to demonstrate competency in a TASK. The Objective includes:

1. specifically what the applicant should be able to do;

2. the conditions under which the TASK is to be performed; and

3. the acceptable standards of performance.

The REFERENCE identifies the publication(s) that describe(s) the TASK. Descriptions of TASKS are not included in the practical test standards because this information can be found in the listed references, as amended. Publications other than those listed may be used for references if their content conveys substantially the same meaning as the referenced publications.

This practical test standard is based on the following references:

14 CFR part 1 Definitions and Abbreviations 14 CFR part 61 Certification: Pilots and Flight Instructors 14 CFR part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules SFAR 58 Advanced Qualification Program AC 00-6 Aviation Weather AC 00-45 Aviation Weather Services AC 60-22 Aeronautical Decision Making AC 60-28 English Language Skill Standards AC 61-13 Basic Helicopter Handbook AC 61-21 Flight Training Handbook AC 61-27 Instrument Flying Handbook AC 61-84 Role of Preflight Preparation AC 120-51 Crew Resource Management Training

FAA-S-8081-20 4 AC 120-54 Advanced Qualification Program AC 120-62 Takeoff Safety Training Aid AC 120-63 Helicopter Simulator Qualification FSB Reports Flight Standardization Board Reports AIM Aeronautical Information Manual RFM Rotorcraft Flight Manual Other Pertinent Pilot’s Operating Handbooks and Flight Manuals En Route Low and High Altitude Charts Profile Descent Charts SID Standard Instrument Departure STAR Standard Terminal Arrivals AFD Airport Facility Directory FDC NOTAM National Flight Data Center Notices to Airmen IAP Instrument Approach Procedure Charts Note: The latest revision of these references should be used.

Use of the Practical Test Standards The TASKS, in this practical test standard, are for helicopters. These TASKS apply to the applicant who seeks an airline transport pilot certificate; the addition of a category, class, or aircraft type rating on that certificate; and to the applicant who holds a private or commercial pilot certificate (must have proper category/class rating) and is seeking the addition of an aircraft type rating on that certificate.

With certain exceptions, some described by NOTES, all TASKS are required. However, when a particular ELEMENT is not appropriate to the aircraft or its equipment, that ELEMENT, at the discretion of the examiner, may be omitted. Examples of ELEMENT exceptions are integrated flight systems for aircraft not so equipped, operation of landing gear in fixed gear aircraft, multiengine tasks in single-engine aircraft, or other situations where the aircraft operation is not compatible with the requirement of the ELEMENT.

Examiners must develop a written plan of action that includes the order and combination of TASKS to be demonstrated by the applicant in a manner that results in an efficient and valid test. Although TASKS with similar Objectives may be combined to conserve time, the Objectives of all TASKS must be demonstrated and evaluated at some time during the practical test. It is of utmost importance that the examiner accurately evaluate the applicant's ability to perform safely as a pilot in the National Airspace System. The examiner may simulate/act as air traffic control (ATC) while conducting the practical test.

Examiners shall place special emphasis upon areas of aircraft operations considered critical to flight safety. Among these are positive

FAA-S-8081-205 aircraft control, positive exchange of the flight controls procedure (who is flying the aircraft), collision avoidance, wake turbulence avoidance, use of available automation, communication management, crew resource management (CRM), aeronautical decision making (ADM) and other areas deemed appropriate to any phase of the practical test.

Although these areas may not be specifically addressed under each TASK, they are essential to flight safety and will be critically evaluated during the practical test. In all instances, the applicant's actions will relate to the complete situation. The examiner’s role regarding ATC, crew resource management, and the duties and responsibilities of the examiner through all phases of the practical test must be explained to and understood by the applicant, prior to the test.

Practical Test Prerequisites: Airline Transport Pilot An applicant for the original issuance of an airline transport pilot certificate is required (prior to the practical test) by 14 CFR part 61 to:

1. have passed the appropriate airline transport pilot knowledge test within 24 months before the date of the practical test;

2. have the aeronautical experience prescribed in 14 CFR part 61, that apply to the aircraft category and class rating;

3 have a minimum of a third-class medical certificate if a medical certificate is required;

4. be at least 23 years of age; and

5. be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If there is a doubt, use AC 60-28, English Language Skill Standards.

NOTE: The 24-month limitation does not apply if the applicant:

1. is employed as a flight crewmember by a certificate holder under 14 CFR parts 121, 125, or 135 at the time of the practical test and has satisfactorily accomplished that operator’s approved—

a. Pilot in command aircraft qualification training program that is appropriate to the certificate and rating sought; and

b. Qualification training requirements appropriate to the certificate and ratings sought; or

2. is employed as a flight crewmember in scheduled U.S. military air transport operations at the time of the practical test, and has accomplished the pilot in command aircraft qualification training program that is appropriate to the certificate and rating sought.