Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course covers lessons 1-7 of the Commercial Training Course Outline; and stages 1 and 2, lessons 1-22 of the Instrument Training Course Outline.  Students will be qualified to take the instrument checkride at the end of this course.

The following hours of are required to meet the outcomes for this course, and will be provided by PCC's contracted flight training provider under PCC supervision.  Outcomes will be assessed by written, oral and practical (flight) tests. Flight training fees for this class are based on these hours. If the outcomes for this course are met in fewer hours then listed here, unused flight training fees will be returned to the student or funding provider, as appropriate. 

The checkride/written test estimate includes funding for one FAA knowledge test ($165), a designated examiner fee ($600), and two hours of aircraft rental at the R44 solo rate.

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

• Perform basic commercial maneuvers with no instructor assistance;
• Take responsibility as Pilot In Command, perform preflight duties and all other procedures necessary for the safe conduct of cross-country flights under both Visual and Instrument Flight Rules (VFR and IFR), to Commercial Pilot standards, drawing on a broad base of experience gained in the training scenarios;
• Maintain contingency plans and a high level of situational awareness during both VFR and IFR cross-country flights; and 
• Qualify to take the FAA Instrument Helicopter Rating knowledge and practical tests.

Evaluation methods will include written, oral, and practical testing. Evaluation levels will meet or exceed those defined by FAA-S-8081-4E  (or subsequent edition) Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards, and required under 14 CFR 141, FAA Approved Training Course.

Appendix C

(1) Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations for IFR flight operations;

(2) Appropriate information in the “Aeronautical Information Manual”;

(3) Air traffic control system and procedures for instrument flight operations;

(4) IFR navigation and approaches by use of navigation systems;

(5) Use of IFR en route and instrument approach procedure charts;

(6) Procurement and use of aviation weather reports and forecasts, and the elements of forecasting weather trends on the basis of that information and personal observation of weather conditions;

(7) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft under instrument flight rules and conditions;

(8) Recognition of critical weather situations and windshear avoidance;

(9) Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and

(10) Crew resource management, to include crew communication and coordination. 

Appendix D

(1) Federal Aviation Regulations that apply to commercial pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;

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

(3) Basic aerodynamics and the principles of flight;

(4) Meteorology, to include recognition of critical weather situations, windshear recognition and avoidance, and the use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts;

(5) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft;

(6) Weight and balance computations;

(7) Use of performance charts;

(8) Significance and effects of exceeding aircraft performance limitations;

(9) Use of aeronautical charts and a magnetic compass for pilotage and dead reckoning;

(10) Use of air navigation facilities;

(11) Aeronautical decision making and judgment;

(12) Principles and functions of aircraft systems;

(13) Maneuvers, procedures, and emergency operations appropriate to the aircraft;

(14) Night and high-altitude operations;

(15) Descriptions of and procedures for operating within the National Airspace System

Appendix C:

(1) Preflight preparation;

(2) Preflight procedures;

(3) Air traffic control clearances and procedures;

(4) Flight by reference to instruments;

(5) Navigation systems;

(6) Instrument approach procedures;

(7) Emergency operations; and

(8) Postflight procedures. 

Appendix D

(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) Special operations; and

(x) Postflight procedures.