Flight Deck Management

Objective

Upon completion of this lesson, the student will demonstrate the ability to properly manage the flight deck environment in accordance with FAA-S-ACS-15 Area of Operation II, Task B. The student will conduct comprehensive passenger briefings per 14 CFR 91.107, utilize appropriate checklists, secure all aircraft items, and manage cockpit resources while maintaining situational awareness and risk mitigation strategies.

Content

Passenger Briefing Requirements (PH.II.B.K1)

Federal Aviation Regulation 14 CFR 91.107 requires the pilot-in-command to ensure that each person on board is briefed on how to fasten and unfasten the safety belt and shoulder harness (if installed). For helicopter operations, this briefing extends beyond basic restraint systems to include critical helicopter-specific safety items.

Required Passenger Briefing Elements:

• Identification of pilot-in-command
• Safety belt and shoulder harness operation and required use
• Door operation (opening/closing procedures)
• Emergency exit procedures
• Passenger conduct expectations
• Rotor blade avoidance procedures
• Emergency equipment location and use
• Sterile cockpit procedures during critical phases of flight

Rotor Blade Safety: Unlike fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters present unique hazards due to exposed rotor systems. Passengers must understand approach and departure procedures, keeping low profiles and following designated paths. The tail rotor danger area extends in a 10-foot radius and must be avoided at all times.

Checklist Usage (PH.II.B.K2)

Proper checklist usage follows the flow-do-check methodology. The experienced pilot flows through familiar items, performs the actions, then uses the checklist to verify completion. For student pilots, the do-check method is preferred: read the item, perform the action, verify completion.

Checklist Types:

• Normal procedures (preflight, engine start, before takeoff, etc.)
• Abnormal procedures (equipment malfunctions, weather)
• Emergency procedures (engine failure, hydraulic failure, etc.)

Checklists are living documents that must be aircraft-specific and current. Generic checklists can omit critical items unique to your aircraft configuration.

Navigation Data Currency (PH.II.B.K3)

Current navigation data ensures accurate flight planning and safe navigation. Expired data can lead to navigation errors, especially in areas with frequent airspace changes or new obstacles.

Navigation Data Sources:

• Sectional charts (effective for 56 days)
• Terminal area charts (effective for 56 days)
• GPS databases (28-day AIRAC cycle for IFR operations)
• Airport/Facility Directory (effective for 56 days)
• NOTAMs for temporary changes

For VFR operations under 14 CFR 91, current charts are recommended but not legally required. However, using outdated navigation data significantly increases risk.

Securing Items and Cargo (PH.II.B.K4)

All loose items become projectiles during turbulence, autorotations, or emergency maneuvers. 14 CFR 91.525 addresses cargo security for larger aircraft, but the principle applies to all operations.

Securing Procedures:

• Use baggage compartments with proper weight and balance calculations
• Secure loose items in seat pockets or cargo nets
• Remove or secure items that could interfere with flight controls
• Consider weight distribution effects on center of gravity

Risk Management: Systems and Equipment (PH.II.B.R1)

Modern helicopters often include sophisticated avionics and automation systems. Portable electronic devices (PEDs) can provide navigation assistance but may also create distractions.

Automation Management:

• Understand system limitations and failure modes
• Maintain manual flying proficiency
• Use automation to reduce workload, not replace pilot judgment
• Have backup plans for automation failures

PED Considerations:

• Ensure devices don’t interfere with aircraft systems
• Secure mounting prevents device from becoming projectile
• Battery life and charging considerations
• Backup navigation methods if PED fails

Risk Management: Inoperative Equipment (PH.II.B.R2)

14 CFR 91.213 outlines procedures for operating with inoperative equipment. For aircraft without an approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL), use the following process:

1. Is the equipment required by 14 CFR 91 for the type of operation?
2. Is the equipment listed on the aircraft’s equipment list as “Required”?
3. Is the equipment required by an Airworthiness Directive?
4. Is the equipment required by the aircraft’s Type Certificate Data Sheet?

If any answer is “yes,” the aircraft is not airworthy. If all answers are “no,” the equipment may be inoperative provided it’s properly placarded and doesn’t affect safe operation.

Risk Management: Passenger Distractions (PH.II.B.R3)

Passenger distractions during critical phases of flight can lead to accidents. Establish clear expectations and sterile cockpit procedures.

Common Distractions:

• Questions during takeoff, approach, or landing
• Movement during flight that affects weight and balance
• Unauthorized photography near sensitive areas
• Emergency situations requiring passenger assistance

Mitigation Strategies:

• Brief passengers on when not to talk to the pilot
• Assign specific seats to maintain proper weight and balance
• Establish clear emergency procedures and passenger responsibilities

Schedule

Equipment

• FAA-S-ACS-15 Private Pilot Helicopter Airman Certification Standards
• FAA-H-8083-21B Helicopter Flying Handbook
• Aircraft-specific Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH)
• Current sectional chart for local area
• Aircraft checklists (normal, abnormal, emergency)
• 14 CFR Part 91 regulations
• Sample passenger briefing card
• Weight and balance forms
• Inoperative equipment placards
• Portable electronic devices for demonstration

Instructor Actions

1. Begin lesson by reviewing the importance of proper flight deck management and its role in accident prevention, emphasizing that poor cockpit organization contributes to many helicopter accidents.

2. Demonstrate a complete passenger briefing using the aircraft, starting with PIC identification and covering each required element systematically, explaining why each item is critical for helicopter safety.

3. Show the difference between a rushed, incomplete briefing and a thorough, professional briefing, highlighting how passenger confidence increases with proper preparation.

4. Explain checklist philosophy using the analogy of a surgical team - even experienced surgeons use checklists because memory is fallible during stress or distraction.

5. Demonstrate proper checklist usage by flowing through preflight items, then using the checklist to verify completion, explaining the flow-do-check methodology.

6. Show examples of current and expired navigation charts, explaining how to verify currency dates and the risks of using outdated information.

7. Demonstrate proper cargo and equipment securing techniques in the aircraft, showing how loose items can shift during flight and affect controls or become projectiles.

8. Discuss automation management by showing aircraft systems and explaining the importance of understanding limitations and maintaining manual flying skills.

9. Cover inoperative equipment procedures using 14 CFR 91.213, providing examples of equipment that would and would not ground the aircraft.

10. Explain sterile cockpit concepts and demonstrate how passenger distractions can occur during critical phases of flight.

11. Have the student practice conducting a complete passenger briefing while you observe and provide feedback.

12. Guide the student through proper checklist usage, ensuring they understand when to use flow patterns versus item-by-item procedures.

13. Supervise the student as they secure all loose items in the aircraft and verify proper weight and balance considerations.

14. Observe the student’s management of all flight deck elements while providing constructive feedback on organization and efficiency.

Student Actions

1. Listen to instructor explanation of flight deck management importance and ask clarifying questions about accident prevention strategies.

2. Observe instructor demonstration of proper passenger briefing techniques and note the systematic approach to covering all required elements.

3. Practice identifying current versus expired navigation data by checking dates on provided charts and discussing currency requirements.

4. Participate in hands-on cargo securing exercise, demonstrating proper techniques for preventing loose items from becoming hazards.

5. Ask questions about automation management and inoperative equipment procedures to ensure complete understanding.

6. Conduct a complete passenger briefing covering all required elements while instructor observes and evaluates performance.

7. Demonstrate proper checklist usage for normal procedures, showing understanding of flow-do-check methodology.

8. Secure all loose items in aircraft cabin and baggage areas while explaining weight and balance considerations.

9. Identify potential sources of passenger distraction and explain mitigation strategies for maintaining sterile cockpit environment.

10. Demonstrate complete flight deck management by organizing the cockpit, conducting passenger briefing, and managing all required elements systematically.

Completion Standards

The lesson is complete when the student demonstrates the ability to perform flight deck management tasks in accordance with FAA-S-ACS-15 PH.II.B standards:

PH.II.B.S1 - Securing Items: Student secures all loose items in aircraft using proper restraint methods and explains weight and balance considerations for cargo placement.

PH.II.B.S2 - Passenger Briefing: Student conducts comprehensive passenger briefing covering PIC identification, safety restraint operation, door procedures, passenger conduct expectations, rotor blade avoidance procedures, and emergency protocols without omitting required elements.

PH.II.B.S3 - Automation Management: Student demonstrates proper programming and management of aircraft automation systems (if applicable) and explains backup procedures for system failures.

PH.II.B.S4 - Risk Management: Student identifies and explains mitigation strategies for risks associated with equipment use, inoperative equipment, and passenger distractions while demonstrating appropriate ADM and CRM principles.

Knowledge Standards: Student explains passenger briefing requirements per 14 CFR 91.107, demonstrates proper checklist usage techniques, identifies navigation data currency requirements, and describes proper cargo securing procedures.

Risk Management Standards: Student identifies risks associated with improper equipment use, describes procedures for inoperative equipment per 14 CFR 91.213, and explains strategies for managing passenger distractions during critical flight phases.