14 CFR and Publications

Objective

The CFI candidate will demonstrate the ability to teach federal aviation regulations and publications to helicopter pilot applicants. Upon completion, the CFI candidate will be able to explain the content, application, and importance of 14 CFR Parts 1, 61, and 91; 49 CFR Part 830; Advisory Circulars, INFOs, and SAFOs; ACS/PTS standards; POH/flight manuals; and the AIM. The candidate will emphasize the critical importance of using current publications and demonstrate effective teaching techniques for regulatory material, meeting the standards of ACS task HI.III.I.

Content

14 CFR Part 1 - Definitions and Abbreviations (HI.III.I.K1)

Part 1 provides the foundation vocabulary for all aviation regulations. Key helicopter-specific definitions include:

• Aircraft: Device invented by man for flight in the air
• Rotorcraft: Heavier-than-air aircraft supported by lift from rotor blades
• Helicopter: Rotorcraft with engine-driven rotor(s) on substantially vertical axis
• Autorotation: Rotorcraft flight condition where lifting rotor is driven by upward flow of air
• Commercial operator: Person conducting operations for compensation or hire
• Pilot in command: Person who has final authority over aircraft operation
• Student pilot: Person who holds a student pilot certificate

Teaching analogy: “Part 1 is like a dictionary - you need to understand the words before you can understand the sentences.”

14 CFR Part 61 - Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors (HI.III.I.K1)

Part 61 governs pilot certification and privileges. Critical helicopter sections include:

• Subpart A: General provisions, medical certificate requirements, flight reviews
• Subpart E: Private pilot certification (§61.109 helicopter requirements: 40 hours total, 20 dual, 10 solo)
• Subpart F: Commercial pilot certification (§61.129 helicopter requirements: 150 hours total, specific cross-country and instrument time)
• Subpart H: Flight instructor certification (§61.183-61.217)
• Recent experience requirements: §61.57 (90-day passenger carrying, instrument currency)
• Endorsement requirements: §61.87, 61.93, 61.109 for various helicopter operations

Teaching emphasis: “Part 61 is your roadmap to pilot privileges - it tells you what you can do and when you can do it.”

14 CFR Part 91 - General Operating and Flight Rules (HI.III.I.K1)

Part 91 contains operating rules for all aircraft. Helicopter-specific considerations:

• Basic flight rules: §91.3 (PIC responsibility), §91.7 (airworthy aircraft), §91.9 (compliance with operating limitations)
• Visual flight rules: §91.155 (visibility/cloud clearance requirements), §91.157 (special VFR)
• Equipment requirements: §91.205 (day/night VFR equipment), §91.213 (inoperative equipment)
• Right-of-way rules: §91.113 (helicopters have specific provisions when operating below 500 feet AGL)
• Minimum safe altitudes: §91.119 (helicopters may operate below minimums if compliant with Part 133/137 or emergency operations)
• Operations near airports: §91.126-91.131 (traffic patterns, controlled airspace)

49 CFR Part 830 - Notification and Reporting of Aircraft Accidents and Incidents (HI.III.I.K2)

NTSB regulations governing accident/incident reporting:

• Immediate notification required: Fatal/serious injuries, substantial aircraft damage, missing aircraft, flight control malfunction
• Helicopter-specific incidents: Main rotor blade strikes, tail rotor failures, hard landings with damage
• Reporting timeline: Immediate notification (most expeditious means), written report within 10 days
• Preservation of wreckage: No disturbance until NTSB releases

Teaching point: “830 is about accountability - when things go wrong, we learn from them to prevent future occurrences.”

Advisory Circulars, INFOs, and SAFOs (HI.III.I.K3)

Advisory Circulars (ACs): Non-regulatory guidance material

• AC 90-95A: Unanticipated Right Yaw in Helicopters
• AC 90-80B: Approval of Offshore Standard Approach Procedures
• AC 61-140: Autorotation Training

Information for Operators (INFOs): Time-sensitive operational information

• Distributed through FSDO and online systems
• Often address emerging safety concerns

Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFOs): Critical safety information

• Address specific operational risks
• More urgent than INFOs, require immediate attention

Airman Certification Standards/Practical Test Standards (HI.III.I.K4)

The ACS replaced PTS for most certificates and represents current testing standards:

• Structure: Areas of Operation, Tasks, Knowledge/Risk Management/Skill elements
• Helicopter ACS documents: Private (FAA-S-ACS-25), Commercial (FAA-S-ACS-26), CFI (FAA-S-ACS-29), CFII (FAA-S-ACS-30)
• Application: Defines minimum standards for practical test completion
• Instructor responsibility: Know applicable ACS for student certificate level

Pilot’s Operating Handbooks/Flight Manuals (HI.III.I.K5)

Manufacturer-specific aircraft information:

• POH vs. Flight Manual: POH for non-type certificated aircraft, Flight Manual for type certificated
• Required sections: Limitations, emergency procedures, normal procedures, performance data
• Regulatory status: Part of aircraft’s approved design, regulatory compliance required
• Helicopter-specific considerations: Height-velocity diagram, performance charts, weight and balance

Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) (HI.III.I.K6)

Official guide to flight information and ATC procedures:

• Chapter 4: Air traffic control procedures, helicopter-specific guidance for pattern operations and airport operations
• Helicopter sections: 4-3-17 (VFR helicopter operations at controlled airports), various wake turbulence guidance
• Non-regulatory nature: Guidance material, not regulatory requirements
• Currency importance: Updated every 56 days with Chart Supplement

Risk Management: Using Expired Publications (HI.III.I.R1)

Operating with outdated publications creates significant risks:

• Regulatory changes: New requirements may not be reflected
• Procedure changes: Approach procedures, airspace modifications, frequency changes
• Safety information: New hazards, NOTAMs, temporary flight restrictions
• Currency requirements: 14 CFR 91.103 requires current information for flight planning
• Professional responsibility: CFIs must model proper publication currency practices

Teaching emphasis: “Expired charts are like expired medicine - they might work, but the risk isn’t worth it.”

Schedule

Equipment

• Current 14 CFR Parts 1, 61, and 91 (print or electronic)
• Current 49 CFR Part 830
• Sample Advisory Circulars (AC 90-95A, AC 61-140)
• Current helicopter ACS documents (FAA-S-ACS-25, 26, 29, 30)
• Representative helicopter POH/Flight Manual
• Current AIM
• Chart Supplement example
• Whiteboard/markers for regulation cross-references
• Examples of expired vs. current publications
• Computer/projector for accessing online regulatory sources

Instructor Actions

The CFI candidate will:

1. Demonstrate teaching of regulatory structure by explaining the hierarchy of 14 CFR parts and their relationship to helicopter operations, using specific examples from each part

2. Teach Part 61 helicopter requirements by walking through private and commercial pilot certification requirements, demonstrating how to explain complex hour requirements using visual aids and practical examples

3. Explain Part 91 applications by presenting helicopter-specific operating scenarios and demonstrating how to identify applicable regulations, including right-of-way rules and minimum altitude exceptions

4. Present NTSB reporting requirements by using helicopter accident scenarios to demonstrate when and how to report, emphasizing the teaching of immediate notification requirements

5. Show effective use of non-regulatory guidance by demonstrating how to locate and apply Advisory Circulars, explaining the difference between regulatory and guidance material

6. Demonstrate ACS application by explaining how to use the ACS structure to prepare students for practical tests, showing cross-references between knowledge and skill elements

7. Teach POH/Flight Manual importance by demonstrating how to explain regulatory status and critical sections, using actual helicopter documentation

8. Present AIM helicopter guidance by identifying and explaining specific helicopter procedures and recommendations, demonstrating effective teaching of non-regulatory information

9. Emphasize currency importance by comparing expired and current publications, demonstrating how to teach the risks of using outdated information and methods for maintaining currency

10. Model professional teaching standards by maintaining accuracy, demonstrating where to find current information, and showing how to admit knowledge limitations while finding correct answers

Student Actions

The student (evaluator) will:

1. Respond to regulatory questions posed by the CFI candidate, demonstrating understanding of the teaching presentation

2. Participate in scenario-based discussions about regulatory applications to helicopter operations

3. Ask clarifying questions about complex regulatory topics to test the CFI candidate’s depth of knowledge and teaching ability

4. Request explanation of specific regulations from the knowledge elements to evaluate teaching effectiveness

5. Challenge currency practices by asking about specific situations involving expired publications

6. Evaluate teaching techniques used by the CFI candidate for presenting regulatory material effectively

7. Assess practical applications of regulations to real-world helicopter operations

Completion Standards

The CFI candidate demonstrates satisfactory performance on HI.III.I when they:

1. Accurately teach regulatory content by correctly explaining the application of 14 CFR Parts 1, 61, and 91 to helicopter operations, demonstrating thorough knowledge of certification requirements, operating rules, and definitions

2. Correctly present NTSB requirements by accurately explaining 49 CFR Part 830 notification and reporting procedures with helicopter-specific examples

3. Effectively explain guidance materials by demonstrating knowledge of Advisory Circulars, INFOs, and SAFOs, including how to locate and apply non-regulatory guidance

4. Demonstrate ACS proficiency by correctly explaining the structure and application of Airman Certification Standards, showing how to prepare students for practical tests

5. Present aircraft documentation requirements by accurately explaining the regulatory status and critical content of POH/Flight Manuals for helicopters

6. Teach AIM applications by correctly identifying and explaining helicopter-specific guidance from the Aeronautical Information Manual

7. Emphasize currency importance by effectively teaching the risks associated with using expired publications and demonstrating methods for maintaining current information

8. Model professional standards by using current publications throughout the presentation, demonstrating where to find authoritative information, and maintaining accuracy in all regulatory interpretations

9. Display effective teaching skills by presenting complex regulatory material in understandable terms, using appropriate analogies and examples, and encouraging student questions and participation

10. Meet ACS standards by demonstrating the knowledge, risk management awareness, and skill elements specified in HI.III.I to the satisfaction of the evaluator