Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course, in conjunction with AVS-120 Private Pilot Ground, prepares the student to take the FAA written test for the Helicopter Private Pilot certificate. It explains the differences for helicopters in preflight planning, airport operations, regulations and aerodynamic hazards.

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Qualify to take the FAA Helicopter Private Pilot knowledge test.
• Plan and explain the execution of a flight typical of a Helicopter Private Pilot Certificate holder.

FAR 61.105 (b) and FAR 141 appendix B (3) (b) include the following aeronautical knowledge areas:

1. Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations that relate to private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;
2. Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board;
3. The use of the applicable portions of the "Aeronautical Information Manual" and appropriate FAA advisory circulars;
4. The 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, wind shear 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. N/A
12. Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and
13. Preflight action that includes -
    1. 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
    2. How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered.