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CH.XIII.A both lesson 60–90 minutes

After Landing, Parking, and Securing

Postflight Procedures · Task Task A. After Landing, Parking, and Securing

Completion Standards

Student demonstrates knowledge of all CH.XIII.A items to ACS standards without reference to materials. Risk management items correctly identified. All skill elements performed to commercial ACS tolerances.

Objective

The student will demonstrate proficiency in professional after-landing, parking, and securing procedures for a commercial helicopter operation, completing all checklists, conducting a thorough postflight inspection, properly documenting discrepancies, and securing the aircraft while maintaining awareness of downwash hazards, passenger safety, and security procedures to meet or exceed the requirements of ACS CH.XIII.A.

Content

Helicopter Shutdown, Securing, and Postflight Inspection

After-Landing Procedures

The after-landing phase begins when the helicopter touches down and continues until the rotor system has completely stopped and the aircraft is secured. This is a critical transition from flight operations to ground operations, requiring methodical execution of procedures and heightened awareness of ground hazards.

Shutdown Sequence (14 CFR 91.13 — careless or reckless operation applies throughout):

  1. Clearing the runway/landing area: After touchdown, clear the active runway or landing area as quickly as safely possible while maintaining control. In busy commercial operations, you’re responsible for expeditious movement without sacrificing safety.

  2. Taxi to parking area: Follow ground control instructions or airport diagram to parking area. Maintain awareness of surface winds, ground personnel, obstacles, and other aircraft.

  3. Ground idle check: Before shutdown in most turbine helicopters, conduct a ground idle check period (typically 1-2 minutes) to allow the engine to cool gradually and stabilize. This prevents hot section damage and allows time to identify any anomalies before shutting down.

  4. Pre-shutdown checks: Complete any pre-shutdown checklist items such as:

    • Engine instruments reviewed and normal
    • Systems checks (hydraulics, electrical, fuel)
    • Radios set appropriately
    • Transponder to standby or off
    • Flight plan closed if required

  5. Engine shutdown: Follow manufacturer’s shutdown procedures exactly. For turbine helicopters, this typically involves:

    • Fuel condition lever to OFF or CUTOFF
    • Monitor TOT/TGT during shutdown (should not exceed limits)
    • Allow rotor system to coast down naturally — never use rotor brake with engine running unless specifically authorized
    • Throttle(s) to OFF or IDLE position after engine stops
    • Verify all switches OFF except battery
    • Battery master OFF after rotor system stops

  6. Rotor brake application (if equipped): Apply rotor brake only after:

    • Engine is shut down and rotor RPM is decreasing
    • Rotor RPM is below manufacturer’s specified speed (typically 60-80% NR)
    • Apply smoothly and progressively, never abruptly
    • Monitor for any unusual sounds or vibrations

Securing the Helicopter

After shutdown is complete, securing involves protecting the aircraft from environmental damage, unauthorized access, and ensuring readiness for the next flight:

  1. Flight controls: Position cyclic, collective, and pedals per manufacturer requirements (typically:

    • Cyclic secured with friction lock or tied centered
    • Collective full down and locked
    • Pedals neutral or secured)

  2. Rotor blade tie-down: If winds exceed manufacturer limits or long-term parking:

    • Install blade tie-down straps in proper sequence
    • Secure main rotor blades to fuselage or ground
    • Secure tail rotor if required
    • Never leave blades unsecured in high-wind forecasts

  3. Environmental protection:

    • Install pitot covers, engine inlet/exhaust covers as required
    • Install rotor head cover if available
    • Consider sun shades for instrument panel in hot climates
    • Close and secure all doors and baggage compartments

  4. Ground security:

    • Install locks on doors if required by operator or airport security
    • Chock main landing gear if on sloped surface
    • Install wheel chocks or tie-downs per airport requirements
    • Document parking location and time in aircraft records

  5. Aircraft documents: Ensure airworthiness certificate, registration, operating limitations, weight and balance data remain in aircraft. Remove only personal items and cross-country navigation materials.

Postflight Inspection

The postflight inspection is as critical as preflight — this is where discrepancies that developed during flight are discovered. Commercial operators rely on thorough postflight inspections to maintain airworthiness between scheduled maintenance.

Systematic Postflight Inspection Process:

  1. Walk-around inspection: Conduct a complete walk-around looking for:

    • Main rotor system:
      • Blade damage (nicks, cracks, delamination, erosion)
      • Lead-lag damper condition and fluid leaks
      • Pitch link integrity
      • Rotor head for cracks, damage, or unusual wear
      • Blade retention bolts secure
    • Tail rotor system:
      • Blade damage or erosion
      • Tail rotor gearbox oil level and leaks
      • Drive shaft inspection covers secure
      • Guard or protective screens intact
    • Engine compartment (when cool):
      • Fluid leaks (oil, fuel, hydraulic)
      • Loose or disconnected components
      • Bird nests or foreign object debris
      • Wiring condition and security
    • Fuselage:
      • Skin damage, wrinkles, or stress cracks
      • Door and window integrity
      • Antenna damage
      • Battery compartment condition
    • Landing gear:
      • Skid tubes for cracks or deformation
      • Cross tubes and fittings secure
      • Ground handling wheels condition if installed
    • Fluid levels:
      • Engine oil quantity
      • Hydraulic reservoir level
      • Transmission oil level and condition
      • Fuel quantity matches totalizer/gauge

  2. Interior inspection:

    • Check for items left by passengers (FOD prevention)
    • Inspect seatbelts for damage or wear
    • Note any interior damage, broken components
    • Verify no fluid accumulation (leak indication)
    • Check instrument panel for cracks or damage
    • Note any switch or breaker anomalies

  3. Systems checks:

    • Review caution/warning lights that may have illuminated
    • Check engine and transmission chip detectors if accessible
    • Note any unusual odors (burning, fuel, hydraulic)
    • Check battery condition and security

Documenting In-Flight and Postflight Discrepancies

14 CFR 91.405(a) requires the owner/operator to ensure maintenance records are properly made. 14 CFR 91.3 makes the pilot-in-command responsible for safety, which includes reporting discrepancies.

Documentation Requirements:

  1. Aircraft logbooks/maintenance records: Discrepancies that affect airworthiness must be documented in:

    • Engine logbook
    • Airframe logbook
    • Component logbooks as appropriate
    • Operator’s flight log or maintenance tracking system

  2. Discrepancy types:

    • Grounding items: Discrepancies that make aircraft unairworthy (missing required equipment per 14 CFR 91.205, structural damage, inoperative required instruments)
    • Non-grounding items: Squawks that don’t affect immediate airworthiness but require attention (minor oil weeps, cosmetic damage, inoperative non-required equipment)
    • Deferred items: Items permissible to defer under MEL/operator procedures

  3. Professional documentation format:

    • Date and time (Hobbs/tach time) discrepancy was noticed
    • Clear description of symptom, not diagnosis: “Unusual vibration felt at 90 knots, approximately 2+00 into flight” not “bad bearing”
    • Exact location if applicable: “Left skid tube, 12 inches aft of forward cross tube”
    • Any pilot actions taken: “Reduced airspeed, vibration diminished”
    • Pilot signature and certificate number
    • If item was in-flight: note flight conditions when it occurred

  4. Servicing requirements documentation:

    • Fuel added: type, quantity, location
    • Oil added: type, quantity, which engine/transmission
    • Any fluid servicing: what, how much, when
    • These prevent improper servicing and help track consumption rates

  5. Communication chain:

    • Commercial operations require immediate notification to director of maintenance or chief pilot for grounding items
    • Follow company procedures for squawk reporting (often electronic systems now)
    • Brief the next pilot if aircraft will be flown again the same day
    • Document in company flight log and aircraft permanent records

Example professional discrepancy entry: “At 1430 local, 325.2 Hobbs, noted intermittent LOW ROTOR RPM caution light illumination during approach to KHQM. Light illuminated twice for approximately 2-3 seconds each. Rotor RPM gauge indicated within limits (104-105% NR) during both occurrences. No unusual sounds or vibrations. Completed approach and landing normally. Request inspection of NR sensor and wiring. Pilot: [signature], CPL 1234567.”

Not acceptable: “Horn went off couple times. Check it.”

Risk Management

Activities and Distractions

After landing, the professional commercial pilot’s attention can easily shift from flying to what’s next — passengers, schedule, fuel, paperwork, weather. This transition period is where mistakes happen:

Mitigation: Use flow patterns backed by written checklists. Complete each phase fully before moving to the next. Brief passengers before flight about postflight procedures.

Parking the Helicopter in a Congested Area

Commercial helicopter operations frequently involve parking in tight spaces — helipads on hospital roofs, urban heliports, crowded FBO ramps:

Mitigation:

Airport-Specific Security Procedures

Post-9/11 security requirements vary significantly by airport type, and commercial pilots must comply:

Mitigation:

Disembarking Passengers Safely on the Ramp and Monitoring Passenger Movement

Passenger safety during ground operations is the commercial pilot’s responsibility, and it’s one of the highest-risk phases of helicopter operations:

The “Danger Zone”:

Passenger briefing before flight (critical foundation):

Procedures for passenger disembarkking:

  1. Complete shutdown first (safest method):

    • For most commercial passenger operations, shut down completely before passenger movement
    • Eliminates rotor hazards entirely
    • Allows pilot to physically escort passengers if needed
    • Required for elderly, children, or passengers unfamiliar with helicopters

  2. Hot loading/unloading (if operationally necessary):

    • Used only when pilot proficiency is high and conditions favor it
    • Requires ground crew/marshaller present
    • Only on flat, firm surfaces
    • Good visibility and low winds
    • Passengers thoroughly briefed
    • Pilot maintains full visual contact with all passengers
    • Collective fully down, rotor at flight idle
    • Never allow passenger movement if conditions deteriorate

  3. Pilot’s responsibilities during passenger movement:

    • Maintain constant visual observation of all passengers until clear
    • Keep hand near throttle/collective ready to secure rotor if someone acts unsafely
    • Use clear hand signals: “Stop,” “Come,” “Go that direction”
    • Watch for dropped items that passengers might chase
    • Monitor for unauthorized individuals approaching aircraft
    • Control children — never allow them to exit unescorted
    • Watch for loose clothing, hats that might blow away

  4. Monitoring on the ramp:

    • Track all passengers until they’re inside a building or in a vehicle
    • Watch for passengers who become disoriented and wander
    • Be alert for passengers attempting to retrieve items from baggage compartments without your supervision
    • Monitor for passengers taking photographs who back into hazards
    • Watch for passengers allowing children to run on ramp
    • Be prepared to shut down immediately if anyone approaches aircraft unsafely

  5. Special considerations:

    • Medical patients: May be disoriented, medicated, or in distress; require medical crew escort
    • VIP passengers: May not listen to safety briefings; assign ground handler
    • Tourist operations: Passengers excited and distracted; firm, repeated briefings essential
    • Multiple passengers: Deplane in controlled sequence, one at a time if necessary
    • Loose articles: Require all loose items secured in bags before door opens (hats, papers, phones)

Documentation: Some commercial operations require documenting passenger safety briefings in flight log or company records. Follow your operator’s procedures.

Real-world scenario: A commercial pilot in a Robinson R44 at a busy FBO landed and began shutdown. A passenger, excited to get to a meeting, unbuckled early and exited uphill before rotor stop. The passenger stood up directly into the drooping main rotor blade. Fatal. The NTSB cited inadequate passenger briefing and pilot’s failure to maintain positive control of passengers. Every commercial helicopter pilot must prevent this scenario through rigorous procedures and command presence.

Minimizing Hazardous Effects of Rotor Downwash

Understanding Downwash

Rotor downwash is high-velocity air accelerated downward through the rotor disk to produce lift. Velocity varies with:

Typical velocities:

Hazards Created by Downwash:

  1. FOD ingestion: Loose gravel, paper, plastic, tools, tie-down straps blown into rotor system causing damage or loss of control
  2. Personnel injury: People knocked down, sandblasted with debris, dust/rocks in eyes
  3. Aircraft damage: Open doors/cowlings on nearby aircraft blown off or damaged
  4. Visibility reduction: Dust/snow stirred up creating brownout/whiteout
  5. Loose article departure: Hats, headsets, sunglasses, charts blown away and potentially into tail rotor
  6. Vehicle movement: Light vehicles, dollies, ground equipment blown into aircraft or personnel

Techniques to Minimize Downwash Effects:

  1. Approach planning:

    • Overfly landing area first at altitude to assess surface (loose debris, dust, water)
    • Identify downwash-sensitive areas: people, other aircraft, open hangars
    • Plan approach path avoiding these areas
    • Brief passengers about dust/debris possibility

  2. Hover altitude management:

    • Minimize time in hover
    • Hover at lowest safe altitude that maintains control (reduces downwash spread)
    • In dusty areas, hover higher (20-30 feet) until ready to terminate to minimize dust stirred up over time
    • Never hover over people or aircraft if avoidable

  3. Hover taxi technique:

    • Use minimum power/altitude to accomplish movement
    • Slow, deliberate movements minimize power spikes
    • In congested areas, consider surface taxi if equipped with wheels
    • Avoid hovering over loose materials (gravel, dirt, debris)

  4. Landing site preparation:

    • Request/conduct FOD walk before arrival if possible
    • Have ground crew wet down dusty areas in advance
    • Clear loose items from area (tie-down chains, chocks, tools)
    • Brief ground personnel to secure loose clothing, turn away from rotor wash

  5. Parking considerations:

    • Land as far from other aircraft as practical
    • Position so downwash won’t blow into open hangars or doors
    • Avoid parking near fuel trucks (could blow fuel vapors)
    • Consider wind direction — park so takeoff will minimize downwash on facilities

  6. Shutdown technique:

    • After landing, smoothly reduce power to ground idle or flight idle
    • Avoid abrupt collective movements that create power surges
    • In dusty conditions, allow dust to settle before increasing power for departure

Professional Considerations:

Commercial pilots are judged by other professionals on their rotor wash discipline. Landing at an FBO and sandblasting a line of corporate jets is unprofessional and creates enemies. Hospital heliport operations require special care — medical equipment on ambulances can blow away, and patients on gurneys can be frightened or endangered. Always consider the impact of your operations on others sharing the airport.

Schedule

PhaseDurationActivity
Instructor Preparation30 minReview lesson plan, prepare aircraft for demonstration, coordinate airport operations for practice session, prepare sample discrepancy log entries
Ground Instruction60 minTeach shutdown procedures, securing techniques, postflight inspection standards, discrepancy documentation, and risk management discussion
Pre-Flight Brief15 minReview demonstration flight plan, discuss parking area selection, brief scenario-based practice, establish student expectations
Flight Demonstration30 minDemonstrate complete after-landing, parking, shutdown, securing, and postflight procedures with narration
Student Practice60 minStudent conducts 2-3 complete after-landing/postflight sequences at different locations with varying conditions
Post-Flight Debrief20 minReview student performance, discuss discrepancies found, critique documentation, address questions
Total Time3.5 hours

Equipment

Required References:

Required Materials:

Visual Aids:

Aircraft Equipment:

Instructor Actions

  1. Ground instruction setup: Begin lesson by asking student, “What’s the difference between how you secured your helicopter after your private pilot checkride versus how you need to secure it as a commercial pilot about to carry passengers for hire?” Use this to establish the increased professional standards required.

  2. Teach shutdown procedures systematically: Present the complete shutdown sequence from clearing the runway through engine shutdown, explaining each step’s purpose. Emphasize: “Ground idle isn’t just a suggestion — it’s how you prevent a $30,000 hot section inspection. Turbine engines don’t like being shut down hot any more than you’d like jumping into a cold shower after a workout.”

  3. Demonstrate checklist discipline: Show the student the actual shutdown checklist for the training helicopter. Explain: “You might have the flows memorized perfectly, but on the day you’re tired after six flights, the checklist catches what memory misses. Commercial pilots use written checklists every time, no exceptions.”

  4. Explain rotor brake timing: Using the aircraft’s specific procedures, demonstrate when and how to apply the rotor brake. “The rotor brake is not an emergency stop button. Applied too early or too hard, you’ll damage the brake pads and possibly the rotor head. Applied correctly at the right RPM, it shortens your shutdown and protects the aircraft.”

  5. Walk through securing procedures: Take student to a parked helicopter and demonstrate proper securing: “Every insurance claim I’ve seen from wind damage involved an improperly secured helicopter. These blade tie-downs are installed in this specific sequence because that’s what prevents dynamic movement in wind. Skip a step, and the blade can strike the tail boom.”

  6. Teach professional postflight inspection technique: Conduct a complete postflight inspection while narrating each item. “We’re not just looking for major damage. That tiny nick in the blade leading edge? If it’s more than 1/16 inch deep on this helicopter, it’s grounding until repair. You need to know what you’re looking for and what the limits are.”

  7. Show fluid leak identification: Point out various fluid locations on the helicopter. “Hydraulic fluid is red, transmission oil is clear to amber, engine oil is typically dark. A fresh oil leak looks shiny and wet. An old leak is dark and dirty. Learn to distinguish between them because your documentation needs to be accurate — ‘fluid leak’ doesn’t tell maintenance anything useful.”

  8. Demonstrate chip detector inspection (if accessible): “Many helicopters have magnetic chip detectors you can access during postflight. Metal particles on the magnet are the first warning of component failure. This is what saved countless helicopters from catastrophic transmission failures — the pilot caught it during postflight.”

  9. Teach documentation standards: Show examples of well-written and poorly-written discrepancy entries. “Compare these two entries for the same problem. This one [well-written] tells maintenance exactly what happened, when, under what conditions, and what the pilot observed. This one [poorly-written] is useless. Which one would you want to read if you were the mechanic responsible for the repair?”

  10. Present sample discrepancies to document: Give student three realistic scenarios: a minor oil weep, an intermittent warning light, and a passenger-caused interior damage. Have student write proper log entries for each. Critique the entries for clarity, completeness, and professionalism.

  11. Discuss activities and distractions risk: Share real scenario: “A commercial pilot landed after a charter flight. While still running through shutdown, his phone rang with the next customer. He answered it, got distracted, and forgot to complete his shutdown checklist. Two items were missed. The next pilot started the aircraft and immediately had a warning light because the previous pilot left a system on. Professional discipline means finish one task completely before starting another.”

  12. Explain congested area parking considerations: Use airport diagram to show: “Here’s the FBO parking area. You have a helicopter with a 33-foot rotor diameter. When blades droop after shutdown, you need to add 18 inches to that radius. This parking spot looks good until you realize that Gulfstream’s door will be inside your rotor arc. Always measure from drooped blade position, not flight position.”

  13. Teach downwash assessment: “Before you ever get in the hover to park, assess the area. See those loose tie-down chains on the ramp? That unsecured fire extinguisher? Those papers on someone’s cowling? All of those become missiles in your rotor wash. A professional pilot identifies these hazards and either avoids them or has them secured before hovering.”

  14. Demonstrate passenger disembarkation procedures: Using student as mock passenger, demonstrate: “I’ll give you the signal when it’s safe. You’ll unbuckle, open the door, and move directly toward the front of the aircraft staying crouched low — keep your head below my eye line in the cockpit. Walk straight ahead until you’re 50 feet clear, then you can stand up. Never walk toward the tail. If you drop something, don’t pick it up — tell me and I’ll get it after shutdown.”

  15. Explain hot loading risk management: “Some commercial operations require hot loading passengers. This is higher risk and requires perfect conditions: flat surface, low winds, good visibility, thoroughly briefed passengers, and ground crew present. If any of those conditions aren’t met, shut down completely. No schedule pressure is worth a passenger walking into the tail rotor.”

  16. Brief the demonstration flight: “I’ll demonstrate the complete sequence: after landing, clearing the active, taxi to parking, shutdown, securing, and postflight inspection. I’ll narrate each step and explain my decision-making. Watch particularly how I assess the parking area before hovering into it, and how I position the aircraft considering downwash effects.”

  17. Conduct demonstration flight: Perform a complete after-landing sequence at the practice airport. Include:

    • Radio calls to ground control
    • Clearing the active area promptly
    • Taxi to parking with wind consideration
    • Parking area assessment from a hover
    • Precise placement considering nearby aircraft/obstacles
    • Complete shutdown checklist with narration
    • Proper rotor brake application
    • Complete securing procedures
    • Thorough postflight inspection with findings explained
    • Sample discrepancy documentation

  18. Debrief demonstration: “What did you notice about my parking spot selection? I positioned the helicopter so the prevailing wind would keep downwash away from those parked airplanes. I also left extra clearance on the left side because that’s where the FBO tug would need to access if they had to move us. These considerations separate adequate from professional.”

  19. Brief student practice: “You’ll conduct three complete sequences. First at this same FBO location. Then we’ll go to the hospital heliport where you’ll deal with tighter space and patient operations. Finally, at the uncontrolled airport where you’ll make all decisions without ground control assistance. Each location has different challenges.”

  20. Monitor student practice - first iteration: Observe student’s complete after-landing sequence. Take notes on:

    • Checklist discipline and flow
    • Parking area assessment and planning
    • Downwash awareness and minimization
    • Shutdown procedure accuracy
    • Securing technique and completeness
    • Postflight inspection thoroughness
    • Any discrepancies identified

  21. Provide immediate feedback: After first iteration, conduct brief critique. “Your shutdown procedure was solid — good checklist discipline. However, you positioned the helicopter without considering that your downwash during departure will blow directly into that open hangar. Let’s discuss how you could have parked differently.”

  22. Introduce complexities in second iteration: At hospital heliport: “This is a confined area with medical operations ongoing. Notice the ambulance 30 feet from the pad. Your downwash could blow equipment off the gurney or dust onto the patient. How will you minimize impact?” Allow student to plan and execute approach.

  23. Coach security procedure compliance: “This facility requires you to sign in with the hospital security office and document your parking time. This is airport-specific security procedure you must follow. As a commercial pilot, you might operate at 50 different facilities — each with unique requirements. Research and compliance are your responsibility.”

  24. Evaluate discrepancy documentation during practice: If student identifies actual discrepancies during postflight, supervise proper documentation. If no discrepancies exist, present hypothetical: “You found a 2-inch crack in the left skid tube. Document this properly in the aircraft log.”

  25. Monitor third iteration at uncontrolled field: “No ground control here — you make all radio calls and decisions. Consider other traffic, parking area selection, and security of the aircraft in an unsupervised environment. Brief me on your plan before we land.”

  26. Evaluate passenger safety procedures: During ground instruction, have student brief you (as passenger) on disembarkation procedures. Assess clarity, completeness, and command presence. “Would I, as a first-time helicopter passenger, feel confident and safe following your briefing? Or would I be confused about what you want me to do?”

  27. Debrief all practice iterations: After completing all three practice sequences, conduct comprehensive debrief covering:

    • Strengths demonstrated
    • Areas needing improvement
    • Risk management decisions made
    • Professional standards maintained
    • Completion standards met or not met
    • Specific ACS criteria assessment

  28. Assign post-lesson study: “Review 14 CFR 91.405 through 91.417 on maintenance record requirements. Next lesson, be prepared to explain your responsibilities as PIC for ensuring discrepancies are properly recorded and addressed. Also, research the security procedures at [specific airport] where we’ll fly next week.”

  29. Document lesson completion: Complete instructor records noting student’s performance, ACS standards met, and any additional practice needed before commercial practical test preparation.

Student Actions

  1. Prepare for lesson: Student reviews CH.XIII.A ACS standards, reads POH shutdown procedures, reviews 14 CFR 91 maintenance documentation requirements, and prepares questions.

  2. Participate actively in ground instruction: Student takes notes on shutdown sequences, securing procedures, postflight inspection criteria, and asks clarifying questions about techniques and standards.

  3. Study checklist procedures: Student reviews shutdown checklist for training aircraft, memorizes flow pattern, and understands rationale for each checklist item.

  4. Practice documentation writing: During ground instruction, student writes sample discrepancy log entries for provided scenarios and accepts critique for improvement.

  5. Ask risk management questions: Student engages with instructor on scenarios: “What would you do if a passenger unbuckled before rotor stop?” “How would you handle parking if the assigned spot was too close to other aircraft?”

  6. Observe demonstration flight completely: Student watches entire demonstration sequence, taking mental notes of instructor’s techniques, communications, and decision-making process.

  7. Ask post-demonstration questions: Student clarifies any techniques observed that weren’t clear: “Why did you choose that specific parking spot?” “How did you judge clearance from that hangar?”

  8. Brief first practice iteration: Student verbalizes plan for after-landing, parking, shutdown, and postflight sequence before beginning practice.

  9. Execute first complete sequence: Student performs:

    • After-landing radio calls and clearing active area
    • Taxi to parking area with wind awareness
    • Parking area assessment and precise placement
    • Complete shutdown checklist procedure
    • Proper rotor brake application at correct RPM
    • Complete securing of aircraft per POH
    • Systematic postflight inspection
    • Documentation of any findings

  10. Self-assess performance: After first iteration, student identifies own strengths and weaknesses before instructor feedback: “I rushed through the rotor brake application. I should have waited for lower RPM.”

  11. Incorporate feedback: Student adjusts techniques based on instructor’s critique for second iteration.

  12. Execute hospital heliport sequence: Student demonstrates professional operations in confined, high-consequence environment with medical operations present. Adjusts procedures for tighter space and proximity to personnel.

  13. Comply with facility procedures: Student properly checks in with hospital security, documents parking, and follows all facility-specific requirements.

  14. Execute uncontrolled field sequence: Student makes all radio calls, selects parking area independently, secures aircraft appropriately for unsupervised environment, and completes all procedures without ground control assistance.

  15. Document hypothetical discrepancies: Student practices writing clear, professional log entries for instructor-provided discrepancy scenarios.

  16. Demonstrate passenger briefing: Student briefs instructor (role-playing passenger) on disembarkation procedures with clarity and confidence.

  17. Conduct thorough postflight inspections: Student performs systematic walk-around at each location, identifying actual or potential discrepancies, checking fluid levels, and inspecting all critical components.

  18. Verbalize decision-making: Throughout practice, student explains reasoning: “I’m parking here because the wind will keep my downwash away from those aircraft during departure.”

  19. Maintain checklist discipline: Student uses written checklist for every shutdown sequence without skipping items or relying solely on memory.

  20. Ask questions during practice: Student seeks clarification when uncertain: “The chip detector shows a few small particles — is this normal or a discrepancy?”

  21. Demonstrate security awareness: Student properly secures aircraft, closes access gates, and follows airport security procedures at each location.

  22. Practice professional communication: Student makes clear, professional radio calls during ground operations and communicates effectively with ground personnel when present.

  23. Assess own completion standards: After final practice iteration, student evaluates own performance against ACS standards: “I maintained proper clearances, completed all checklists, and documented one minor discrepancy professionally.”

  24. Participate in comprehensive debrief: Student actively engages in post-flight discussion, accepts critique professionally, and commits to addressing any deficiencies before next lesson.

  25. Complete assigned follow-up study: Student researches maintenance record requirements and next airport’s security procedures as assigned.

Completion Standards

The student demonstrates understanding of and proficiency in after-landing, parking, and securing procedures meeting the standards of ACS CH.XIII.A when the student consistently:

Knowledge Standards (evaluated through oral questioning and practical application):

  1. Explains the complete shutdown procedure for the training helicopter including proper sequence, timing, and rationale for each step including ground idle cooling period, pre-shutdown checks, engine shutdown technique, and rotor brake application limitations.

  2. Describes proper aircraft securing procedures including flight control positioning, blade tie-down techniques and sequences, environmental protection measures, and ground security requirements appropriate to the operating environment.

  3. Demonstrates knowledge of systematic postflight inspection procedures including what to inspect, how to identify common discrepancies (blade damage, fluid leaks, component wear, structural damage), and when discrepancies require grounding the aircraft versus deferral.

  4. Explains proper discrepancy documentation procedures including what information must be recorded, where to document (aircraft logs, company records), distinction between grounding and non-grounding items, and servicing requirement documentation per 14 CFR 91.405.

  5. Describes activities and distractions that create risk during shutdown and postflight operations and explains specific mitigation strategies including checklist discipline, passenger control, and task prioritization.

  6. Explains hazards associated with parking in congested areas including downwash effects on people/property, tail rotor danger zones, clearance measurement from drooped blade positions, and techniques to minimize risk through parking location selection and approach planning.

  7. Describes airport-specific security procedures including SIDA requirements, AOA badge regulations, customs procedures, FBO/heliport check-in requirements, and proper securing of aircraft in accordance with facility standards.

  8. Explains procedures for safe passenger disembarkation including pre-flight briefing content, hot-loading versus shutdown-first protocols, visual monitoring requirements, danger zone avoidance, and special considerations for various passenger types (medical, children, VIP, tourists).

Risk Management Standards (evaluated through scenario discussion and practical decisions):

  1. Identifies and mitigates activities and distractions during shutdown by demonstrating proper task sequencing, completing each procedure fully before moving to next task, maintaining checklist discipline despite time pressure or distractions, and resisting phone calls or non-essential communications during critical procedures.

  2. Selects parking locations that minimize risk in congested areas by assessing downwash impact zones before hovering into parking area, maintaining adequate clearance from obstacles/aircraft using drooped blade measurements, positioning tail rotor toward barriers when possible, and identifying surface conditions that could create brownout or FOD hazards.

  3. Complies with all airport-specific security procedures by researching requirements before arrival, checking in with appropriate authorities, parking in designated secure areas, displaying required badges/permits, securing access gates, and properly locking/securing aircraft per facility standards.

  4. Maintains positive control of passenger disembarkation by providing thorough pre-flight briefing, determining whether shutdown-first or hot-loading is appropriate based on conditions, maintaining constant visual contact with all passengers until clear of hazard zones, using clear hand signals and commands, and immediately securing aircraft if any passenger acts unsafely.

Skill Standards (evaluated during practical demonstration):

  1. Minimizes hazardous effects of rotor downwash during all ground operations by planning approach/parking to avoid downwash impact on people/property, hovering at minimum necessary altitude for minimum necessary time, conducting FOD assessment before hovering, and adjusting parking position based on wind direction and nearby sensitive areas.

  2. Parks the helicopter in appropriate areas by selecting locations with adequate clearance from obstacles (minimum 10 feet from drooped blade tips to any obstacle), considering downwash impact on nearby persons and property, accounting for surface slope and firmness, positioning for safe departure considering traffic flow and obstacles, and ensuring surface can support helicopter weight without damage.

  3. Completes appropriate checklists accurately and completely by using written checklist for every shutdown sequence (not memory alone), accomplishing each checklist item in order without skipping, verifying completion of critical items (fuel off, throttle off, battery off), and maintaining checklist discipline despite distractions or time pressure.

  4. Conducts thorough postflight inspection by systematically inspecting all components using standardized pattern (main rotor system, tail rotor system, engine compartment, fuselage, landing gear, interior), identifying discrepancies requiring documentation, checking all required fluid levels accurately, and inspecting for damage, leaks, loose components, and wear beyond serviceable limits.

  5. Documents discrepancies and servicing requirements professionally by recording date/time/aircraft hours when discrepancy was noticed, describing symptoms clearly without attempting diagnosis (e.g., “vibration at 90 knots” not “bad bearing”), noting exact location of damage/anomaly, recording pilot actions taken, documenting all servicing (fuel/oil type and quantity added), and making all entries legible with proper signature and certificate number.

  6. Secures the helicopter properly by positioning flight controls per POH requirements (cyclic friction locked or tied center, collective full down and locked, pedals neutral or secured), installing blade tie-downs in proper sequence when required, installing environmental covers (pitot, engine, rotor head) as appropriate, securing all doors and baggage compartments, installing security locks per operator/airport requirements, and documenting parking location and securing actions per company procedures.

  7. Maintains situational awareness throughout all after-landing operations by clearing active runway/landing area promptly, maintaining awareness of other aircraft and ground traffic during taxi, communicating clearly with ground control or CTAF, identifying hazards in parking area before hovering, monitoring passengers throughout disembarkation until clear of hazards, and remaining alert for any unsafe conditions developing around the aircraft.

Performance Tolerances (per Commercial Pilot Helicopter ACS):

The student’s performance is within ACS standards for CH.XIII.A when:

Overall Assessment:

The student is prepared for commercial pilot practical test evaluation when they consistently demonstrate professional-level after-landing, parking, securing, and postflight procedures with thorough risk management, complete and accurate documentation, and maintenance of all safety margins without instructor prompting or intervention across varying locations and operational environments.

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