Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

A specific number of hours of training are required to meet the outcomes for this course, and will be provided by PCC Flight Instructors using PCC's Part 61 AVS-115 Helicopter Private Pilot Training Course Outline (TCO). The Outcomes will be assessed by written, oral and practical (flight) tests.

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

1. Qualify to take the FAA Helicopter Private Pilot knowledge and practical tests.
2. Take responsibility as pilot-in-command to competently perform pre-flight duties and all other procedures necessary for the safe conduct of a flight as a Private Pilot.
3. Draw from a broad base of experience gained from training scenarios to exercise safe judgment in all flight-related decisions.

Evaluation methods will include written, oral, and practical testing. Evaluation levels will meet or exceed those defined by the FAA Private Pilot Rotorcraft Helicopter Practical Test Standards.

Part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulations required the following for the Private Pilot certificate, which is covered by the PCC Private Pilot TCO:

Aeronautical knowledge areas.

(1) Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations of this chapter that relate to private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;

(2) Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board;

(3) Use of the applicable portions of the “Aeronautical Information Manual” and FAA advisory circulars;

(4) Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems;

(5) Radio communication procedures;

(6) Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts;

(7) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence;

(8) Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance;

(9) Weight and balance computations;

(10) Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems;

(11) Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques for the airplane and glider category ratings;

(12) Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and

(13) Preflight action that includes—

(i) How to obtain information on runway lengths at airports of intended use, data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements; and

(ii) How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered.

Flight Proficiency Areas of Operation:

(i) Preflight preparation;

(ii) Preflight procedures;

(iii) Airport and heliport operations;

(iv) Hovering maneuvers;

(v) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;

(vi) Performance maneuvers;

(vii) Navigation;

(viii) Emergency operations;

(ix) Night operations, and

(x) Postflight procedures.