Diversion

Objective

The student will demonstrate the ability to execute an in-flight diversion to an alternate destination while maintaining aircraft control and situational awareness. Upon completion, the student will select suitable alternate landing sites, calculate navigation estimates, execute the diversion, and maintain flight tolerances per FAA-S-ACS-15 PH.VII.C performance standards.

Content

Selecting an Alternate Destination (PH.VII.C.K1)

When circumstances require a diversion, the pilot must quickly evaluate available options using systematic criteria. Unlike airplanes that are tied to runways, helicopters have tremendous flexibility in landing site selection.

Primary considerations for alternate destinations:

• Distance from current position (fuel considerations)
• Weather conditions at the alternate site
• Airspace requirements and restrictions
• Communication capabilities
• Services available (fuel, maintenance, overnight accommodations)
• Surface conditions and approach/departure paths
• Obstacles and terrain considerations

Types of suitable alternates for helicopters:

• Airports with helicopter operations
• Designated heliports
• Approved helipads
• Emergency landing areas (private property requires landowner permission per 14 CFR 91.119)

The key is having multiple options identified before you need them. Smart pilots continuously update their “Plan B” throughout flight, like a chess player always thinking three moves ahead.

Situations Requiring Deviations (PH.VII.C.K2)

Several situations mandate immediate deviation from your planned route or ATC clearance:

Weather-related diversions:

• Deteriorating visibility below VFR minimums
• Unexpected icing conditions
• Severe turbulence or wind shear
• Thunderstorm development along route

Mechanical issues:

• Engine parameters approaching limits
• Unusual vibrations or noises
• Caution/warning lights
• Flight control anomalies
• Fuel system problems

Other operational factors:

• Medical emergencies (passenger or pilot)
• Security threats or TFR activation
• ATC equipment failures requiring routing changes
• Airport closure at destination

Per 14 CFR 91.3, the pilot in command has final authority and responsibility for the aircraft’s operation and may deviate from ATC clearances in emergency situations.

Risk Management Considerations

Collision Hazards (PH.VII.C.R1) Diversion situations increase collision risk due to:

• Deviation from established traffic patterns
• Increased pilot workload reducing vigilance
• Potential for conflicting traffic at alternate airports
• Flying in unfamiliar airspace

Maintain vigilant scanning, use traffic advisory frequencies, and request traffic advisories from ATC when possible.

Task Prioritization and Situational Awareness (PH.VII.C.R2) The sudden need to divert creates multiple competing demands. Use the fundamental priority system:

1. Aviate - maintain aircraft control and altitude
2. Navigate - determine heading and route to alternate
3. Communicate - notify ATC and file amended flight plan

Avoid fixation on charts or GPS programming. Designate one pilot to fly while the other handles navigation planning in multi-pilot operations.

Circumstances Making Diversion Prudent (PH.VII.C.R3) Beyond emergency situations, consider diversion when:

• Weather at destination is marginal and deteriorating
• Fuel reserves becoming uncomfortably low
• Passenger comfort or medical needs
• Daylight availability for VFR operations
• Pilot fatigue levels

Selecting Appropriate Landing Sites (PH.VII.C.R4) Helicopters can utilize various landing sites, but each has considerations:

• Airports: Best services but may have operational restrictions
• Heliports: Designed for helicopters but limited services
• Helipads: Often private with permission requirements
• Emergency sites: Last resort requiring careful surface evaluation

Using Available Resources (PH.VII.C.R5) Modern aircraft provide multiple planning aids:

• GPS navigation systems with nearest airport functions
• Electronic flight displays with weather overlay
• ATC assistance for vectors and airport information
• Flight Following for traffic advisories
• Weather datalink services (if equipped)

Don’t become over-reliant on automation. Maintain proficiency in manual navigation techniques as backup.

Navigation Calculations for Diversion

Heading estimation:

• Use the “1 in 60” rule: 1° course change = 1 nautical mile deviation per 60 miles distance
• For quick estimates, draw a line on the chart between current position and destination
• Apply wind correction using the mental wind triangle method

Groundspeed calculation:

• Consider current winds and new heading
• Use GPS groundspeed if available for immediate reference
• Estimate based on true airspeed and wind components

Time and fuel estimates:

• Distance ÷ groundspeed = time
• Time × fuel flow = fuel required
• Add appropriate reserves per 14 CFR 91.151 (30 minutes day VFR, 45 minutes night VFR)

Communication Procedures

When executing a diversion:

1. Notify ATC immediately of your intention
2. Request direct routing if beneficial
3. Cancel or amend flight plan as appropriate
4. Obtain weather information for alternate destination
5. Request airport advisory information

Schedule

Equipment

Required References:

• FAA-H-8083-21B Helicopter Flying Handbook
• FAA-S-ACS-15 Private Pilot Helicopter Airman Certification Standards
• Current sectional charts for practice area
• Airport/Facility Directory or equivalent
• 14 CFR Part 91 (current)

Materials:

• Flight planning sheets/forms
• E6B flight computer or electronic equivalent
• Plotter and pencil
• Current weather information sources
• Aircraft operating handbook/flight manual

Visual Aids:

• Sectional chart examples showing diversion scenarios
• Weather products examples (METARs, TAFs, radar)
• Sample diversion calculation worksheets

Instructor Actions

1. Brief the student on the importance of diversion skills as a fundamental safety technique, emphasizing that diversions are normal operational decisions, not emergency procedures.

2. Demonstrate chart work techniques for quickly identifying alternate destinations, showing how to use chart symbology to assess airport suitability and services.

3. Walk through the calculation process for heading, time, and fuel estimates using both manual methods and electronic aids available in the aircraft.

4. Show communication procedures by demonstrating proper phraseology for notifying ATC of diversions and requesting amended clearances.

5. Initiate the first diversion scenario at cruise altitude, providing a realistic scenario such as “weather at your destination has just gone below minimums - select an alternate and execute the diversion.”

6. Monitor student performance during calculations and aircraft control, providing guidance as needed while allowing student to work through the problem-solving process.

7. Introduce progressively complex scenarios including weather considerations, fuel constraints, and passenger medical situations.

8. Demonstrate proper prioritization by showing how to maintain aircraft control while accomplishing diversion planning tasks.

9. Guide the student through using available resources including GPS nearest airport functions, datalink weather, and ATC assistance.

10. Debrief each scenario immediately after completion, discussing decision-making process, calculation accuracy, and aircraft control throughout the maneuver.

Student Actions

The student will:

1. Acknowledge the diversion scenario and immediately assess current aircraft position, altitude, and fuel state.

2. Identify suitable alternate destinations using sectional charts and aircraft equipment, considering distance, services, and approach suitability.

3. Calculate navigation estimates for heading, groundspeed, time, and fuel required to reach the selected alternate using both manual and electronic methods.

4. Communicate intentions to ATC using proper phraseology and request appropriate routing or services.

5. Execute the diversion by turning to the calculated heading while maintaining altitude within ACS tolerances.

6. Monitor progress continuously, updating estimates and making corrections as necessary throughout the diversion.

7. Maintain situational awareness by scanning for traffic, monitoring weather conditions, and tracking fuel consumption.

8. Demonstrate decision-making skills by evaluating multiple scenarios and selecting the most appropriate course of action.

9. Use available resources effectively including GPS navigation, weather datalink, and ATC services while maintaining primary piloting duties.

10. Complete post-diversion actions including updating flight plans, obtaining destination weather, and preparing for approach and landing.

Completion Standards

The student demonstrates satisfactory performance when able to:

Knowledge Standards (FAA-S-ACS-15 PH.VII.C.K1, K2):

• Select appropriate alternate destinations considering all relevant factors including distance, weather, services, and regulatory requirements
• Identify situations requiring diversion and demonstrate understanding of pilot authority under 14 CFR 91.3

Risk Management Standards (FAA-S-ACS-15 PH.VII.C.R1-R5):

• Maintain visual scanning and collision avoidance during diversion tasks
• Demonstrate proper task prioritization using aviate-navigate-communicate sequence
• Recognize circumstances requiring diversion before they become critical
• Select alternates appropriate to helicopter operations and mission requirements
• Effectively utilize available navigation and weather resources

Skill Standards (FAA-S-ACS-15 PH.VII.C.S1-S6):

• Select suitable landing sites and routes appropriate for helicopter operations (S1)
• Calculate heading estimates within ±5°, time estimates within ±3 minutes, and fuel estimates within ±0.5 gallons for flights up to 1 hour duration (S2)
• Execute diversion turn within 2 minutes of scenario initiation (S3)
• Maintain altitude within ±200 feet and headings within ±15° throughout the diversion (S4)
• Obtain and correctly interpret current weather information for alternate destinations (S5)
• Demonstrate proficient use of electronic weather and navigation displays when available (S6)

Additional Performance Criteria:

• Complete all diversion scenarios without instructor intervention for safety
• Demonstrate consistent decision-making process across multiple scenarios
• Show proficiency in both manual calculation methods and electronic navigation aids
• Maintain aircraft control throughout all phases of diversion execution