Air Taxi

Objective

The student will demonstrate competency in air taxi operations by correctly interpreting airport information, maintaining safe airspeeds and altitudes, and executing precise helicopter movement between points on an airport/heliport while avoiding the Height/Velocity diagram’s avoid areas, as measured against the performance standards specified in FAA-S-ACS-15 Area of Operation IV, Task C.

Content

Current Airport Aeronautical References and Information Resources

Per 14 CFR 91.103, pilots must become familiar with all available information concerning the flight. For air taxi operations, essential resources include:

Chart Supplement (formerly Airport/Facility Directory): Contains detailed airport information including traffic patterns, lighting systems, fuel availability, and special procedures. Example: At a hospital helipad, the Chart Supplement might indicate “PPR required” (Prior Permission Required) for non-emergency operations.

Airport Diagrams: Critical for situational awareness, showing runway/taxiway layouts, hot spots, and helicopter operating areas. Think of the airport diagram as your road map - you wouldn’t drive in an unfamiliar city without GPS, so don’t taxi without the diagram.

NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions): Temporary changes to airport conditions. A NOTAM might indicate “Taxiway A closed between intersections B and C” - information that could prevent a runway incursion.

Air Taxi Instructions, Clearances, and Limitations

Air taxi clearances from ATC contain specific elements that must be understood:

Route: “Helicopter N123AB, taxi to the general aviation ramp via taxiway Alpha” Altitude: “maintain 100 feet AGL” Speed: Typically 30-40 knots maximum for safety

Hold Short Instructions: “Helicopter N123AB, taxi to runway 9, hold short of runway 27” - you must stop before the runway hold position marking and await further clearance.

Limitations: Per 14 CFR 91.129(i), helicopters conducting air taxi operations at towered airports must comply with all ATC instructions and maintain communication.

Airport/Heliport/Helipad/Landing Area Signs, Markings, and Lighting

Mandatory Instruction Signs: Red background with white lettering (runway designators, hold positions). Think of red as “stop and think.”

Location Signs: Black with yellow lettering, indicating your current position.

Direction Signs: Yellow background with black lettering, pointing toward destinations.

Runway Markings: Yellow lines indicating runway centerlines, edges, and hold positions.

Helipad Markings: Large “H” with directional information and approach/departure paths marked.

Lighting Systems:

• Edge lights define safe taxi routes
• Approach lighting systems at helipads
• Obstruction lighting on towers and buildings

Visual Indicators for Wind

Windsocks: Primary visual reference showing wind direction and approximate velocity. A fully extended windsock indicates 15+ knots. Remember: the sock points WITH the wind direction.

Tetrahedrons: Point into the wind, indicating preferred landing direction.

Smoke, Flags, Water Surface: Secondary indicators providing wind information.

Aircraft Lighting Requirements

Per 14 CFR 91.209, required lighting during taxi operations includes:

Position Lights: Required from sunset to sunrise and in reduced visibility Anti-collision Lights: Required whenever engines are running Landing Light: Recommended during taxi operations for visibility

Pilot Activities During Taxiing

Continuous Scanning: Maintain 360-degree awareness for other aircraft, vehicles, and obstacles Radio Monitoring: Monitor ground control frequency and acknowledge all instructions Checklist Use: Complete appropriate taxi checklists Chart Reference: Continuously reference airport diagram for position awareness

Safe Air Taxi Procedures - Towered Airports

1. Contact ground control before beginning taxi
2. Receive specific routing and altitude instructions
3. Maintain assigned altitude (typically 100 feet AGL)
4. Monitor ground control frequency continuously
5. Request progressive taxi if unsure of routing
6. Hold short of all runways until cleared to cross

Safe Air Taxi Procedures - Nontowered Airports

1. Announce intentions on CTAF
2. Self-announce position and movements
3. Maintain standard traffic pattern altitude when crossing runways
4. Monitor CTAF for other aircraft
5. Use standard phraseology: “Podunk Traffic, Helicopter N123AB, air taxi from ramp to runway 18, Podunk”

Runway Overflying Procedures

When ATC clears you to “cross runway 27,” maintain assigned altitude and proceed expeditiously. At nontowered airports, announce: “Podunk Traffic, Helicopter N123AB crossing runway 27 at midfield, 100 feet.”

Key Point: Always confirm the runway is clear before crossing, even with ATC clearance.

Height/Velocity (H/V) Diagram Considerations

The H/V diagram shows combinations of height and airspeed that should be avoided due to insufficient time/distance for autorotative landing in case of engine failure.

Avoid Areas: Typically below 500 feet AGL at speeds between 30-60 knots (varies by aircraft) Safe Operation: During air taxi, maintain either:

• Low and slow (hover taxi altitudes at taxi speeds)
• High enough to clear the avoid area if operating at higher speeds

Critical Understanding: Air taxi operations often occur in the avoid area - minimize time spent there and maintain awareness of suitable landing areas.

Risk Management Items

Distractions and Task Prioritization: Air taxi requires constant attention to ATC instructions, other traffic, and aircraft control. Prioritize: Aviate (control the helicopter), Navigate (know your position), Communicate (acknowledge instructions).

Loss of Situational Awareness: Can occur when focused on cockpit tasks. Combat this by frequent reference to airport diagram and position announcements.

Reduced Visibility Operations: Increased reliance on lighting systems and reduced taxi speeds. Consider requesting progressive taxi instructions.

Runway Incursion Prevention:

• Always read back hold-short instructions
• Stop completely at hold-short lines
• Confirm runway is clear before crossing
• Never assume clearance - ask if uncertain

Rotor Strike Hazards:

• Main Rotor: Maintain clearance from hangars, light poles, other aircraft
• Tail Rotor: Invisible and deadly - maintain awareness of tail position
• Tail Strike: Avoid steep attitudes during transitions

H/V Diagram Performance: Engine failure during air taxi may not provide sufficient height/airspeed for successful autorotation. Have a plan for immediate landing area.

Confirmation Bias: Hearing what you expect rather than actual instructions. Always read back clearances verbatim and request clarification if uncertain.

Schedule

Equipment

Required References:

• FAA-S-ACS-15 Private Pilot Helicopter Airman Certification Standards
• FAA-H-8083-21B Helicopter Flying Handbook
• Current Chart Supplement for practice airport
• Current airport diagram
• 14 CFR Part 91

Materials:

• Helicopter with functioning radios and lighting
• Current NOTAMs for practice airport
• Sectional chart
• Airport taxi chart (if published)

Visual Aids:

• Airport diagram enlarged for ground discussion
• H/V diagram for aircraft type
• Sample taxi clearances and phraseology

Instructor Actions

1. Review airport diagram with student, identifying key features, taxi routes, and potential hazards
2. Explain taxi clearance phraseology and required read-backs using actual examples from the practice airport
3. Demonstrate proper radio procedures by conducting sample ground control communication
4. Show H/V diagram relationship to air taxi operations, emphasizing avoid areas and risk management
5. Demonstrate initial air taxi sequence including clearance request, acknowledgment, and execution
6. Coach student through first air taxi, providing immediate feedback on altitude control and tracking
7. Introduce crosswind air taxi techniques, demonstrating cyclic and pedal inputs for wind correction
8. Present runway crossing scenario, emphasizing clearance requirements and situational awareness
9. Simulate emergency scenario (engine failure during air taxi) and demonstrate immediate landing
10. Guide student through multiple taxi scenarios of increasing complexity
11. Provide continuous feedback on ATC communication quality and accuracy
12. Demonstrate recovery from common errors such as altitude deviations or track errors

Student Actions

1. Study airport diagram and identify taxi routes, runway crossing points, and potential hazards
2. Practice taxi clearance read-backs using correct phraseology and terminology
3. Demonstrate proper radio technique including frequency selection and microphone usage
4. Calculate safe air taxi parameters considering aircraft H/V diagram limitations
5. Request taxi clearance from ground control using appropriate phraseology
6. Execute air taxi maintaining assigned altitude within ±10 feet and desired groundspeed
7. Demonstrate wind correction techniques during crosswind air taxi operations
8. Maintain Nr within normal operating limits throughout air taxi operations
9. Navigate using airport diagram while maintaining visual scanning for traffic
10. Execute proper runway crossing procedures including clearance confirmation
11. Respond appropriately to simulated engine failure during air taxi operations
12. Demonstrate situational awareness by accurately describing position and planned route

Completion Standards

The student demonstrates competency in air taxi operations per FAA-S-ACS-15 PH.IV.C when they:

• Complete appropriate taxi checklist without prompting
• Maintain continuous reference to published airport diagram during all taxi operations
• Select and maintain safe airspeed (not exceeding 40 knots) appropriate for conditions
• Maintain assigned altitude within ±10 feet throughout air taxi operations
• Demonstrate effective wind correction maintaining desired track within 10 feet of centerline
• Keep powerplant parameters within normal operating limits (Nr in green arc)
• Correctly interpret and comply with all airport markings, lighting, and ATC instructions
• Execute proper radio communication using standard phraseology with 100% accuracy
• Identify and avoid Height/Velocity diagram avoid areas or minimize exposure time
• Demonstrate appropriate risk management for rotor strike hazards and runway incursion prevention
• Maintain situational awareness by correctly identifying aircraft position on airport diagram throughout the lesson