Air Taxi

Objective

Upon completion of this lesson, the CFI candidate will demonstrate the ability to teach air taxi operations to helicopter students by explaining and demonstrating the knowledge, risk management, and skills required for safe air taxi operations at towered and non-towered airports while maintaining adherence to ACS standards HI.VIII.C.

Content

Air Taxi Operations Overview

Air taxi is the movement of a helicopter above the surface at airspeeds normally associated with ground taxi operations, typically at heights of 20-100 feet AGL and speeds of 25 knots or less. Think of it as “flying taxi” - you’re moving from point A to point B efficiently while staying clear of ground obstacles and other aircraft.

Current Airport Information Resources (K1)

Students must understand how to obtain current airport information before conducting air taxi operations:

Chart Supplement (formerly A/FD): Contains detailed airport information including frequencies, runway data, special procedures, and helicopter-specific information. Look for remarks sections that mention helicopter operations, noise abatement procedures, or restricted areas.

Airport Diagrams: Essential for understanding airport layout, including runways, taxiways, ramps, and helicopter operating areas. Pay special attention to helicopter landing areas marked with “H” symbols.

NOTAMs: Critical for current conditions affecting helicopter operations including closed runways, construction areas, or temporary restrictions that could impact air taxi routes.

Air Taxi Instructions, Clearances, and Limitations (K2)

At towered airports, pilots must receive specific clearance for air taxi operations. Controllers may issue:

• “Air taxi to [destination]” - general clearance
• “Air taxi via [specific route]” - routing instructions
• “Remain below [altitude]” - altitude restrictions
• “Avoid overflying [area/runway]” - routing limitations

At non-towered airports, pilots self-announce intentions and coordinate with other traffic using standard radio phraseology.

Airport Markings, Signs, and Lighting (K3)

Runway Markings: Threshold markings, centerline stripes, and number/letter designations help pilots navigate and avoid runway incursions during air taxi.

Taxiway Markings: Yellow centerlines and edge markings guide surface movements, though helicopters air taxiing may not follow these precisely.

Signs: Mandatory instruction signs (red background/white text) indicate areas requiring ATC clearance to enter. Location signs (black background/yellow text) help with navigation.

Lighting: Runway edge lights (white), taxiway edge lights (blue), and obstruction lighting help during reduced visibility operations.

Wind Indicators (K4)

Pilots must assess wind conditions for air taxi operations using:

• Windsocks: Primary visual indicator showing wind direction and approximate velocity
• Automated weather systems: ATIS/AWOS/ASOS provide current wind data
• Other aircraft: Observe approach/departure patterns and dust/debris movement
• Vegetation movement: Trees, flags, and loose materials indicate wind patterns

Aircraft Lighting Requirements (K5)

During air taxi operations, appropriate lighting includes:

• Position lights (navigation lights) - required during reduced visibility
• Anti-collision lights - strobes or rotating beacon as appropriate
• Landing light - enhances visibility to other aircraft and controllers
• Search light - if equipped, useful for night operations

Pilot Activities During Air Taxi (K6)

Checklist Usage: Complete appropriate checklists before, during, and after air taxi operations. This typically includes taxi checklist items and position light checks.

Communication: Maintain radio contact with ATC or announce positions at non-towered airports. Use standard phraseology and acknowledge all clearances.

Scanning: Continuous visual scanning for other aircraft, ground vehicles, and obstacles. The elevated position during air taxi provides good visibility but requires active scanning.

Safe Air Taxi Procedures - Towered/Non-towered (K7)

Towered Airports:

• Contact ground control for taxi clearance
• Read back all clearances completely
• Maintain radio contact throughout operation
• Request clarification if clearance is unclear
• Follow ATC instructions precisely

Non-towered Airports:

• Monitor CTAF frequency continuously
• Make standard position announcements
• Listen for other aircraft and coordinate as needed
• Use standard traffic pattern procedures
• Exercise extra vigilance for converging traffic

Runway Overflying Procedures (K8)

Helicopter air taxi may require overflying active runways when specifically cleared by ATC or when no other safe route exists. Considerations include:

• Obtain specific clearance: “Cleared to cross Runway 27”
• Maintain adequate altitude to clear departing aircraft wake turbulence
• Monitor for landing/departing traffic
• Be prepared for immediate go-around instructions
• At non-towered airports, coordinate with all traffic and ensure runway is clear

Height/Velocity Considerations (K9)

The H/V diagram becomes critical during air taxi operations because:

• Operating at low airspeeds and moderate altitudes places aircraft in avoid areas
• Pilots must plan routes that minimize time in critical H/V combinations
• Consider autorotation landing areas when planning air taxi routes
• Higher airspeeds may require higher altitudes to remain outside avoid areas

Risk Management

Distractions and Situational Awareness (R1): Air taxi operations involve multiple tasks - navigation, communication, traffic avoidance, and aircraft control. Students must learn to prioritize tasks and maintain awareness of aircraft position, clearances, and traffic. Use the “aviate, navigate, communicate” hierarchy.

Reduced Visibility Operations (R2): Night or low visibility air taxi requires additional planning and caution. Reduce airspeeds, increase spacing from obstacles, use appropriate lighting, and consider delaying operations if visibility becomes insufficient for safe flight.

Runway Incursion Prevention (R3): The elevated nature of air taxi operations can create false confidence. Students must understand that runway incursion rules apply equally to helicopters. Always receive positive clearance before crossing runways and maintain vigilant scanning for surface traffic.

Rotor Strike Hazards (R4): Low-altitude air taxi operations increase risks of main rotor contact with obstacles like light poles, signs, or wires. Tail rotor strikes can occur near hangars or other aircraft. Maintain adequate clearance margins and develop conservative personal minimums.

H/V Performance Considerations (R5): Engine failure during air taxi places aircraft in a challenging position - too high for immediate landing, potentially too low and slow for effective autorotation. Students must understand that air taxi operations often occur in H/V avoid areas and plan accordingly.

Confirmation Bias (R6): Students may hear what they expect rather than actual ATC instructions. Teach the importance of complete readbacks, asking for clarification, and not assuming clearances based on previous flights or expectations.

Common Errors (K10)

• Excessive airspeed for conditions
• Inadequate altitude control
• Poor tracking/directional control
• Failure to maintain traffic awareness
• Improper radio procedures
• Entering H/V avoid areas unnecessarily

Teaching Techniques

When teaching air taxi, emphasize the “flying taxi” analogy - students should think of it as low-level flight with taxi-like precision rather than hovering maneuvers. Use progressive instruction starting with simple point-to-point movements before introducing complex routing or traffic scenarios.

Schedule

Equipment

Required References:

• FAA-H-8083-4 Helicopter Flight Instructor’s Handbook
• FAA-H-8083-21 Helicopter Flying Handbook
• Current Chart Supplement
• Local airport diagram
• Current sectional chart
• AIM (Aeronautical Information Manual)

Materials:

• Helicopter (airworthy with current inspections)
• Airport diagram for demonstration airport
• H/V diagram for aircraft type
• Headsets and intercom system
• Current NOTAMs for operating airport

Visual Aids:

• Airport diagram overlay
• H/V diagram poster or chart
• Sample ATC clearance examples
• Wind indicator identification chart

Instructor Actions

The CFI candidate will:

1. Explain Information Resources: Demonstrate how to research airport information using Chart Supplement, showing specific helicopter-related information and NOTAM interpretation for air taxi operations.

2. Demonstrate Communication Procedures: Role-play ATC communications including proper clearance requests, readbacks, and non-towered airport position announcements with correct phraseology.

3. Analyze Airport Environment: Using airport diagrams and visual references, identify critical markings, signs, lighting, and wind indicators that affect air taxi operations.

4. Teach H/V Considerations: Using the aircraft’s H/V diagram, explain how air taxi parameters place the helicopter in avoid areas and demonstrate route planning to minimize exposure.

5. Conduct Flight Demonstration: While maintaining continuous verbal explanation, demonstrate:

   • Pre-taxi checklist completion and radio procedures
   • Safe airspeed and altitude selection (typically 25 knots, 50 feet AGL)
   • Track maintenance in crosswind conditions
   • Powerplant and Nr management within normal limits
   • Compliance with airport markings and potential ATC instructions
   • Altitude control within ±10 feet tolerance

6. Identify and Correct Errors: Recognize common student errors and demonstrate corrective techniques through guided practice and positive reinforcement.

Student Actions

The student (evaluator) will:

1. Listen and Evaluate: Assess the clarity and accuracy of the instructional content, particularly the integration of aeronautical knowledge with practical application.

2. Participate in Discussion: Engage with scenarios and ask questions to evaluate the instructor’s depth of knowledge and ability to handle unexpected situations.

3. Observe Demonstration: Evaluate the instructor’s ability to safely demonstrate air taxi procedures while providing clear, continuous explanation of techniques and decision-making.

4. Assess Teaching Effectiveness: Determine whether the instruction would enable a student pilot to safely perform air taxi operations independently.

5. Challenge Knowledge: Present hypothetical situations or questions to test the instructor’s understanding of regulations, procedures, and safety considerations.

Completion Standards

The CFI candidate demonstrates competency in Task HI.VIII.C when they can effectively teach a student to:

Knowledge Application:

• Utilize current airport information resources to plan safe air taxi operations
• Understand and comply with ATC clearances and communication requirements
• Identify and interpret airport signs, markings, and lighting systems
• Assess wind conditions using available indicators
• Apply appropriate aircraft lighting for conditions

Risk Management:

• Recognize and mitigate distractions while maintaining situational awareness
• Adjust procedures appropriately for reduced visibility conditions
• Prevent runway incursions through proper communication and clearance compliance
• Maintain adequate rotor clearances from all obstacles
• Consider H/V diagram limitations when planning air taxi routes
• Avoid confirmation bias in ATC communication

Skill Demonstration:

• Complete appropriate checklists systematically (S1)
• Use airport diagrams effectively while maintaining situational awareness (S2)
• Select and maintain safe airspeed (typically ≤25 knots) and altitude (20-100 feet AGL) (S3)
• Maintain desired track and groundspeed in various wind conditions (S4)
• Keep powerplant and Nr parameters within normal operating limits (S5)
• Comply with all airport markings, lighting, signs, and ATC instructions (S6)
• Control altitude within ±10 feet of target altitude (S7)
• Identify, analyze, and demonstrate correction of common errors (S8)

The instruction is deemed successful when the CFI candidate can seamlessly integrate technical knowledge with practical demonstration while maintaining safety margins and providing clear, actionable guidance that enables student learning and skill development.