Navigation and Cross-Country Flight Planning

Technical Subject Areas · Task Task J. Navigation and Cross-Country Flight Planning

Objective

The CFI candidate will demonstrate the ability to teach navigation and cross-country flight planning for helicopter operations. Upon completion, the candidate will effectively explain route planning, altitude selection, performance calculations, flight plan preparation, and risk management strategies while demonstrating practical application through flight planning scenarios that meet the requirements of ACS task HI.III.H.

Content

Route Planning and Airspace Considerations (HI.III.H.K1)

When teaching route planning, emphasize that helicopters have unique advantages and limitations compared to fixed-wing aircraft. Begin with the fundamental principle: “Think low, think flexible, think direct.” Unlike airplanes, helicopters can fly lower altitudes and take more direct routes, but this requires careful attention to obstacles, terrain, and special use airspace.

Airspace Selection Strategy:

Class G airspace (surface to 1,200 AGL in most areas) provides maximum flexibility
Consider temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) which frequently affect helicopter operations
Special Use Airspace planning: restricted areas, military operations areas (MOAs), and prohibited areas require careful timing and routing decisions
Warning areas over water may allow transit but require risk assessment

Navigation System Selection:

GPS primary with pilotage backup remains the gold standard
VOR navigation limited by helicopter altitude capabilities
Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) provide comprehensive planning tools but require backup procedures

Altitude Selection for Helicopters (HI.III.H.K2)

Helicopter altitude selection balances multiple competing factors. Teach the concept of “escape altitude” - maintaining sufficient height for successful autorotation while considering obstacles and terrain.

Critical Altitude Factors:

Autorotation Requirements: Minimum 500 feet AGL over congested areas, 300 feet over non-congested areas (practical minimums)
Terrain and Obstacles: Use the “plus 500 rule” - highest obstacle plus 500 feet for safe clearance
VFR Cruising Altitudes: Apply when above 3,000 feet AGL (magnetic course 0-179°: odd thousands plus 500; 180-359°: even thousands plus 500)
Wind Considerations: Lower altitudes often provide better wind conditions but increase turbulence risk

Pilotage Fundamentals: Navigation by visual reference to landmarks requires understanding chart symbols and terrain interpretation. Teach students to identify checkpoints using the “line feature, point feature, area feature” method.

Dead Reckoning Calculations:

Wind triangle solutions for course corrections
Time-distance-speed relationships
Magnetic variation and deviation corrections

Chart Symbol Proficiency:

Obstruction symbols (towers, buildings, terrain)
Airport symbols and runway configurations
Navigation aid symbols and identification

Performance and Power Calculations (HI.III.H.K4, K5)

Power Setting Selection: Helicopter power requirements vary significantly with weight, altitude, and atmospheric conditions. Teach power calculation using manufacturer’s charts while emphasizing the relationship between power available, power required, and performance margins.

Critical Calculations:

Time and Distance: Ground speed calculations incorporating wind effects
Climb/Descent Rates: Based on excess power available and planned airspeed
Fuel Planning: Total fuel required = trip fuel + reserve + alternate + taxi fuel
Weight and Balance: Center of gravity effects on performance and handling

Flight Planning Documentation (HI.III.H.K6, K8)

VFR Flight Plan Elements:

Aircraft identification and type
Departure and destination airports/heliports
Route of flight with checkpoints
Altitude and airspeed
Fuel on board and endurance
Pilot information and emergency contacts

Activation and Closing Procedures: Flight Service Station (FSS) procedures for opening and closing flight plans, including automated systems and radio procedures.

Magnetic Compass Errors (HI.III.H.K9)

Helicopters experience unique compass errors due to electrical systems and metal structure. Teach the ANDS memory aid:

Accelerate: Compass indicates turn toward north
North: Compass reads accurately during constant speed
Decelerate: Compass indicates turn toward south
South: Compass reads accurately during constant speed

Additional errors include deviation (aircraft-induced) and variation (magnetic vs. true north).

Weather Integration and Decision Making (HI.III.H.K7)

Go/No-Go Decision Matrix: Develop systematic approach considering visibility, ceiling, winds, precipitation, and forecast changes. Helicopters are more weather-sensitive than fixed-wing aircraft due to lower operating altitudes and speeds.

Weather Sources:

Aviation Weather Center products
Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)
Area forecasts and wind data
Pilot reports (PIREPs) from helicopter operators

In-Flight Procedures (HI.III.H.K11, K12, K13, K14)

Actual vs. Planned Performance: Teach systematic comparison of planned groundspeed, fuel consumption, and timing against actual results. Develop correction procedures for navigation and fuel management.

Diversion Procedures:

Immediate heading to alternate
Fuel and time calculations
Weather assessment
Navigation updates

Lost Procedures:

Circle, Confess, Climb, Conserve, Call
Terrain awareness and obstacle clearance
Communication procedures

Electronic Flight Bag Integration: When available, EFBs enhance situational awareness but require backup procedures and battery management.

Risk Management Framework (HI.III.H.R1-R6)

Pilot Risk Factors:

Currency and proficiency
Physical and mental condition
Experience with route and conditions
Decision-making under pressure

Aircraft Risk Factors:

Maintenance status and discrepancies
Performance capabilities vs. mission requirements
Equipment functionality and redundancy

Environmental Risk Assessment:

Weather conditions and forecasts
Terrain and obstacle challenges
Wire hazards near population centers
Airport/heliport conditions and services

External Pressures:

Schedule pressures and passenger expectations
Commercial or personal mission completion pressure
Fuel cost considerations

ATC Service Limitations:

Radar coverage at helicopter altitudes
Communication range limitations
Workload priorities (airlines first)

Fuel Planning Risk Management:

Reserve requirements (45 minutes VFR day, 45 minutes night minimum)
Alternate airport planning
Fuel availability at destination and alternates

Schedule

Phase	Time	Activity
Introduction	5 min	Lesson objectives and overview of helicopter cross-country planning
Route Planning	15 min	Airspace analysis, navigation system selection, routing strategies
Altitude Selection	10 min	Terrain clearance, autorotation requirements, regulatory compliance
Navigation Methods	15 min	Pilotage, dead reckoning, chart interpretation
Performance Calculations	20 min	Power settings, fuel planning, time-distance calculations
Flight Plan Preparation	15 min	Documentation, filing procedures, activation/closing
Weather Integration	10 min	Weather sources, go/no-go decisions
Risk Management	15 min	Systematic risk assessment using PAVE model
Practical Application	20 min	Complete flight plan demonstration with scenarios
Summary and Questions	5 min	Review key points, address student questions

Equipment

Current sectional charts for local area
Chart Supplement (A/FD)
VFR flight plan forms
Performance charts for training helicopter
Navigation plotter and ruler
Electronic flight bag (if available)
Calculator
Weather briefing materials
Whiteboard or easel for calculations
Sample NOTAM information
Risk assessment worksheets

Instructor Actions

The CFI candidate will demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and teaching ability by:

Presenting route planning methodology using current sectional charts, explaining airspace considerations, and demonstrating navigation system selection appropriate for helicopter operations
Teaching altitude selection principles by working through terrain analysis, autorotation requirements, and VFR cruising altitude regulations with specific examples
Demonstrating navigation calculations including wind triangle solutions, time-distance problems, and magnetic compass error corrections using clear mathematical processes
Preparing a complete cross-country flight plan assigned by the evaluator, showing systematic approach to route selection, checkpoint identification, and performance calculations
Explaining risk management strategies using the PAVE model (Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, External pressures) with specific helicopter operational considerations
Conducting fuel planning exercises including reserve calculations, alternate airport selection, and scenario-based recalculation exercises
Demonstrating weather interpretation skills by analyzing current conditions and forecasts to make go/no-go decisions appropriate for helicopter operations
Teaching chart symbol recognition and navigation techniques specific to low-altitude helicopter operations
Simulating flight plan filing procedures and explaining activation/closing requirements using appropriate communication procedures

Student Actions

The student (or evaluator acting as student) will:

Participate in route planning discussions by identifying checkpoints, analyzing airspace, and selecting appropriate navigation methods
Perform calculation exercises including wind triangle solutions, fuel requirements, and time-distance problems under instructor guidance
Practice chart reading and symbol interpretation for helicopter-specific operations
Complete risk assessment worksheets using provided scenarios
Ask relevant questions about weather interpretation and decision-making processes
Demonstrate understanding of flight plan preparation and filing procedures
Work through diversion and lost procedure scenarios
Practice using electronic flight bag functions when available
Respond to instructor questions about magnetic compass errors and navigation principles

Completion Standards

The CFI candidate demonstrates instructional competency in navigation and cross-country flight planning per ACS task HI.III.H when they:

Prepare, present, and explain a cross-country flight plan assigned by the evaluator, including comprehensive risk analysis to the first fuel stop (HI.III.H.S1)
Apply pertinent information from current aeronautical charts including Chart Supplements, NOTAMs, and flight publications relevant to helicopter operations (HI.III.H.S2)
Create a complete navigation plan and demonstrate VFR flight plan filing procedures with accuracy and proper formatting (HI.III.H.S3)
Recalculate fuel reserves based on evaluator-provided scenarios, showing systematic approach to fuel planning and risk management (HI.III.H.S4)
Demonstrate teaching effectiveness through clear explanations, appropriate use of training aids, and ability to identify and correct student misconceptions
Show comprehensive knowledge of all task knowledge areas (K1-K15) through accurate explanations and practical application
Address all risk management elements (R1-R6) systematically and demonstrate understanding of helicopter-specific operational risks
Maintain professional instructional demeanor throughout the lesson with appropriate pacing, student engagement, and learning objective achievement

The lesson meets completion standards when the CFI candidate can effectively teach cross-country flight planning to a student pilot level while demonstrating the depth of knowledge required for safe helicopter navigation operations.