Equipment Requirements & Limitations

Objective

The CFI candidate will demonstrate the ability to teach equipment requirements and limitations for helicopter flight instruction practical tests, enabling student CFIs to understand and comply with ACS standards for automation management, aircraft equipment requirements, view limiting devices, and multiengine helicopter considerations per HI.18.B.

Content

Introduction to Equipment Requirements & Limitations

Equipment requirements for helicopter CFI practical tests go far beyond basic airworthiness. Think of it like preparing for a major expedition—you need the right tools for every scenario you might encounter. The ACS establishes specific equipment standards to ensure both safety and thorough evaluation of teaching competency.

Automation Management Systems (K1, K2, S1)

Modern helicopters increasingly incorporate advanced avionics systems that require specific instructor knowledge:

Available Systems Overview:

• Autopilot systems (attitude hold, altitude hold, heading modes)
• Avionics displays (PFD, MFD, engine displays)
• Flight Management Systems (FMS)
• GPS navigation systems
• Traffic systems (TAS/TCAS)
• Weather systems (on-board radar, datalink weather)

Teaching Automation Management: The CFI must demonstrate not just system operation, but effective teaching techniques for automation management. This includes:

• Proper mode selection and monitoring
• Automation failure recognition and response
• Appropriate use vs. manual flight decision-making
• Student workload management with automated systems

Instructor Responsibilities:

• Know all installed systems thoroughly
• Demonstrate appropriate use during instruction
• Teach when to engage/disengage automation
• Emphasize pilot monitoring skills

Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) (K3)

If using portable EFBs during practical test:

Required Demonstrations:

• Proper mounting and security
• Battery management and backup procedures
• Chart currency verification
• Failure procedures and backup navigation
• Integration with aircraft systems

Risk Management Considerations:

• Head-down time minimization
• Distraction management
• Hardware failure scenarios
• Database currency requirements

View Limiting Device Requirements (K4, K5, R1, R2, S2)

For instrument maneuvering tasks per 14 CFR 61.45(d)(2):

Device Requirements:

• Must prevent applicant’s outside visual reference
• Cannot restrict evaluator’s traffic scanning ability
• Must be removable quickly for safety
• Should allow instrument panel visibility

Common Acceptable Devices:

• Foggles or safety glasses with frosted lenses
• Clip-on view limiting devices
• Hood-type devices (if evaluator vision unimpaired)

Pre-flight Briefing Requirements (R2):

• Demonstrate proper donning procedure
• Practice quick removal technique
• Brief emergency removal signals
• Confirm evaluator’s unrestricted vision
• Establish communication procedures while device is worn

Safety Protocols:

• Always brief removal procedures before flight
• Evaluator maintains traffic watch responsibility
• Establish hand signals for device removal
• Practice emergency removal on ground

Single-Engine Aircraft Requirements (K6)

Mandatory Capability:

• Aircraft must be capable of demonstrating touchdown autorotations
• Must meet all normal airworthiness requirements
• Should have sufficient power margins for instructional flight
• Must accommodate evaluator and applicant safely

Pre-flight Verification:

• Confirm autorotation capability with aircraft manual
• Verify weight and balance within autorotation limits
• Check required equipment for all planned maneuvers

Multiengine Helicopter Considerations (K7)

Additional Task Requirements:

• Must demonstrate multiengine-specific tasks
• All single-engine tasks still required
• Engine failure procedures
• Single-engine approaches
• Autorotation from multiengine configuration

Equipment Considerations:

• Dual engine monitoring systems
• Emergency procedure checklists
• Performance charts for single-engine operations
• Height-velocity diagram considerations

Practical Application

Equipment Inventory Process:

1. Review aircraft equipment list against ACS requirements
2. Verify all systems operational for planned tasks
3. Confirm backup equipment availability
4. Brief equipment-specific procedures

Student Teaching Points:

• Equipment enhances safety but doesn’t replace fundamental skills
• Always maintain proficiency in manual flight operations
• Understand equipment limitations and failure modes
• Practice with equipment before instructional flights

Schedule

Equipment

Required References:

• FAA-S-ACS-29 (Helicopter CFI ACS)
• 14 CFR Part 61.45
• Aircraft Flight Manual/Pilot Operating Handbook
• FAA-H-8083-4 Helicopter Flying Handbook

Materials:

• Sample view limiting devices
• Portable EFB (if applicable)
• Aircraft equipment list
• Automation system manuals
• Multiengine helicopter performance charts (if applicable)

Visual Aids:

• Avionics system diagrams
• View limiting device examples
• Equipment requirement checklist
• ACS task breakdown chart

Instructor Actions

The CFI candidate will:

1. Explain equipment categories and their relationship to safe instruction and ACS compliance
2. Demonstrate automation management skills using available aircraft systems, showing proper engagement, monitoring, and disengagement techniques
3. Show proper EFB use if applicable, including mounting, operation, and failure procedures
4. Demonstrate view limiting device procedures including proper donning, removal, and safety briefings
5. Explain aircraft capability requirements for single-engine and multiengine operations
6. Conduct equipment inventory showing systematic verification of ACS requirements
7. Model teaching techniques for equipment-related instruction scenarios

Student Actions

The student will:

1. Identify equipment categories required for CFI practical tests
2. Practice automation management under instructor guidance
3. Demonstrate EFB procedures if using portable devices
4. Practice view limiting device use including emergency removal
5. Verify aircraft capabilities against ACS requirements
6. Complete equipment checklist for practical test preparation
7. Ask questions about equipment-related teaching scenarios

Completion Standards

The lesson is complete when the CFI candidate demonstrates competency in HI.18.B by:

1. Explaining all equipment categories and their ACS requirements with 100% accuracy
2. Demonstrating automation management skills using at least two different installed systems effectively
3. Properly briefing and demonstrating view limiting device procedures ensuring evaluator vision remains unimpaired
4. Showing correct EFB risk management if applicable, including all required safety procedures
5. Confirming aircraft capability for all required practical test maneuvers including touchdown autorotations
6. Addressing multiengine requirements if applicable, identifying additional task requirements
7. Teaching equipment concepts using clear explanations and appropriate analogies that demonstrate instructional competency per ACS standards