Use the Airman Certification Standards NumbNuts...
Oct 30, 2024Flying a helicopter is an exhilarating experience, but becoming a certified pilot requires meticulous preparation, especially for your check-ride. Kenny Keller, creator of Helicopter Online Ground School (H.O.G.S.) dives deep into how to use the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) to ace your check-ride. This blog post expands on the topics discussed, providing a step-by-step guide to ensure you have everything you need on the day of your examination.
Understanding the Airman Certification Standards (ACS)
The Airman Certification Standards (ACS) serve as the foundation for the certification process, outlining the requisite knowledge, skills, and risk management elements. These standards help ensure that both private and commercial pilots meet the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements in various categories and classes. The ACS is more than just a guide; it's a comprehensive checklist that should be your go-to resource for check-ride preparation.
Why the Practical Test Checklist is Crucial
Included within the ACS is the Practical Test Checklist, a definitive list of everything you need to have on the day of your check-ride. Kenny Keller emphasizes the importance of both instructors and students going through this checklist to ensure that all required documents, equipment, and endorsements are in place. Failing to adhere to this checklist can mean rescheduling your check-ride, wasting time, money, and effort.
Essential Documentation
Having the correct aircraft documents is crucial. These include the airworthiness certificate, registration certificate, operating limitations, and maintenance records. Keller highlights the need to have these documents readily available and up-to-date. It’s not enough to know their location; you need to ensure their validity as well.
Personal Documentation
Students must also have essential personal documents, such as a government-issued ID, pilot’s license, student pilot certificate, and medical certificate. The importance of these original documents cannot be overstated; copies won’t cut it on check-ride day.
Required Equipment
Believe it or not, you might need a view limiting device, especially if it's specified in the ACS for the type of check-ride you're undertaking. Also essential are current aeronautical charts. While many pilots now rely on electronic flight bags (EFBs) like foreflight, Keller strongly recommends having paper backups. iPads and other digital devices can fail; having a paper chart ensures you're still in the game.
E6B Flight Computer and Plotter
Ah, the good ol' E6B flight computer. Even though electronic navigation aids are standard nowadays, knowing how to use an E6B can be critical. This tool doesn’t rely on batteries and can help you with calculating time, speed, distance, and fuel consumption. Likewise, having a traditional plotter as a backup is equally important.
Preparing for Digital Failures
Relying solely on digital tools is a risky move. Murphy's Law often strikes when you least expect it. Keller mentions instances where iPads freeze, leading to checkride failures. Thus, having printed charts, a plotter, and a flight plan form as backups can save the day. While digital tools are convenient, old-school methods offer reliability.
Keeping Passwords and Usernames Handy
Your check-ride will likely involve logging into systems like IACRA (Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application). Forgetting your login credentials can result in delays, so keep them in an easily accessible place. Keller notes that having your IACRA username and password readily available can prevent last-minute scrambles and unnecessary stress.
Educational Material and Endorsements
The Helicopter Flying Handbook should be your bible during the training period. A worn-out copy signifies dedication and thorough preparation, something examiners appreciate. Knowing the material inside out can help you feel more confident and prepared.
Instructor Endorsements
Your logbook should be updated with every necessary instructor endorsement, a task that shouldn't be left until the last minute. Keller advises going through your logbook regularly to ensure all required endorsements are in place well before your check-ride.
Form 8710 and Knowledge Test Report
Finally, make sure you complete Form 8710 and have your Airman Test Knowledge Report. These essential documents are now often integrated within IACRA but always verify that everything is up-to-date and accessible.
Meticulous preparation using the Airman Certification Standards can make or break your check-ride. From ensuring all personal and aircraft documents are valid and at hand to keeping backups for critical digital tools, each step contributes to a smoother, less stressful checkride experience. So, take Kenny Keller’s advice to heart: Use the ACS and make sure you have everything ready. Preparation isn’t just about passing your check-ride; it’s about setting a strong foundation for your aviation career. Happy flying!
Categories
All Categories #204 #233 #234 #256 #257 #258 #259 #260 #261 #263 #264 #265 #266 #267 #268 #269 #270 #271 #272 #273 #275 #276 #277 #278 #279 #280 #281 #282 #283 #284 #285 #286 #287 #288 #289 #290 #291 #292 #293 #294 #295 #296 #55 #59 #60 #79 #90 #certifiedflightinstructor #commercialpilot #finalapproachcourse #helicoptergroundschool #helicopterhoverauto #helicopterhovering #privatepilot #learningtohover #helicopteronlinegroundschool #helicopteronlinegroundschool #helicopterpilot #helicoptertraining #hogs #hoverauto #hoverautomistakes #hoveringautorotation #kennykeller #privatepilot #r44 #rating #robinsonr44 #vip 10 101 12 year sale 180 autorotation 180 degree turn 200 pilot hours 2018 flight instructor of the year 2019 heli expo 22 reals 3rd class medical 40 hours 44 reals 50% commissions 91.119 91.17 a week access accident accidents acs add on add on pilot reactions add-on aeronautical aeronautical charts affiliate afi aft cyclic air smart air traffic aircraft aircraft accidents aircraft checks aircraft documents aircraft maintenance records airframes airline pilot to helicopter pilot airman airman certification standards airman test knowledge report airman's log book airport diagrams airport ramp airspace airspace lessons airspace regulations airwork las vegas altitude amazing helicopter pilots anniversary approach approaches approved school graduation certificate arizona askhogs autoroations autorotation autorotation overspeeds autorotations aviation aviation event aviation safety aviation team building aviation tools aviation training aviation weather aviation weather tools awareness training baby behind the scenes bell 47 bell jet ranger block time blueprint bonus book book giveaway book signing book signing event book signings broke bucket list budget builder button buy buy a helicopter cabri cabri g2 cabri helicopter california california choppers california highway patrol canadian helicopter pilot training certification certified certified flight instructor certified flight instructor course cfi cfi add on cfi applicant cfi initial cfi sign off cfi time cfi training cfii chart supplements check check ride check ride passed check ride prep check ride preparation check ride study guide check ride success check ride tips checklist checkride checkride availability checkride prep checkrides checks cheeseburgers chicago chris hauser chris houser apology chris nelson civil aircraft class g vs class d clean aircraft tips clean plate club clearing turns cliffhangar clone closed runway coffee with kenny coffeewithkenny cold weather flying collective collective angle collective control college college degree commercial commercial cfi commercial check ride commercial helicopter pilot commercial pilot commercial pilot course commercial pilot requirements commercial pilots communication completed form 8710 concierge service confidence conservative minimum copy corporate executives cost cost of flying helicopters course crasg crazy credit cross country cross country helicopter flight crucial current aim custom foggles cyclic cyclic hovering cyclic speed cyclic trim dan "taz" christman dan christman danger dangerous day day 249 day 250 day 252 day 253 day 254 day 255 day 4 day with taz deal decision demo density desert flying designated destination devestation device devices dial doors doors off flying down downtown downtown chicago downtown flight dpe dynamic rollover e6b computer easy money efficiency emergency ems ems helicopter ems helicopter jobs ems pilot ems pilots endorsements engine failure enstrom enstrom helicopter enstrom helicopter transition enstrom helicopters enstrom transition etl effective translational lift lesson examiner excessive exclusive executive events executive team building expense experience experimental helicopters eye exam eye test faa faa medical certificate exam faa safety faa wings faa wings credit faa written test fac fac customers failure far/aim fatal fatal accident fatal helicopter accidents fatal helicopter crash fear of failure female pilot final final approach course final approach courses finish checkride finish your rating first first class medical first flight first impression fixed wing fixed wing add on fixed wing before rotor? fixed wing or helicopter fixed wing time flight flight accessories flight check flight checkride flight comfort flight computers flight examiner flight experience flight helpline flight immersion flight instruction flight instructor of the year flight instructor of the year recommendation flight lesson flight lessons flight packages flight plan flight pressure flight ratings flight safety flight schedule flight school flight school equipment flight school scams flight schools flight simulation flight simulators flight trainging flight training florida fly fly another day flying flying at night flying experience flying helicopters flying in indiana flying perspective flying with passengers and cargo foggles foi's foreflight foreflight flight planning foreflight on ipad foreign helicopter student foreign student helicopter training free free copy free helicopter ground school frequency of flying fuel full future pilots gambling gear golden gate bridge gopro government issued id governor vs throttle great instructor grind ground ground resonance ground school on any computer or device ground school podcast ground training guarding guarding the collective guimbal guimbal cabri g2 guimbal cabri g2 training gun h.o.g.s. hai handbook hands-on experience hangar hangar safety hazards headsets helcopter helcopter ground schools heli expo heli expo 2019 helicopter helicopter abnormal vibrations helicopter accident helicopter accident review helicopter accidents helicopter adaptation helicopter add on helicopter add on rating helicopter add ons helicopter aerobatics helicopter altitude helicopter approach helicopter approach and landing helicopter bashing helicopter book signing helicopter career helicopter careers helicopter cfi helicopter cfi pilot helicopter cfii helicopter cfii pilot helicopter check ride helicopter check ride prepare helicopter check ride test tips helicopter check ride tips helicopter checklist helicopter checkrides helicopter chip light helicopter collective helicopter commercial license helicopter community helicopter confined area landings helicopter controls helicopter cost helicopter course helicopter cross country helicopter dolly helicopter dolly monster helicopter dreams helicopter electronics helicopter ems jobs helicopter ems pilot helicopter engine failure helicopter enthusiasts helicopter ergonomics helicopter event helicopter faq's helicopter fatal accidents helicopter ferry flights helicopter final approach helicopter flight helicopter flight control helicopter flight controls helicopter flight instructor helicopter flight instructor of the year helicopter flight lessons helicopter flight over water helicopter flight prep helicopter flight school helicopter flight schools helicopter flight techniques helicopter flight time helicopter flight time hours helicopter flight tips helicopter flight training helicopter flight training schools helicopter flight training' helicopter flying at night helicopter flying careeres helicopter flying handbook helicopter flying lessons helicopter fuel helicopter fuel amount helicopter fuel gauge helicopter gadgetry helicopter go around's helicopter ground helicopter ground school helicopter ground schools helicopter handbook helicopter hangar helicopter hems pilot helicopter hours helicopter hovering helicopter icing helicopter instructing helicopter instructor helicopter instrument pilot helicopter instrument training helicopter insurance helicopter intro flights helicopter jobs helicopter knee board helicopter knowledge helicopter landing helicopter lesson helicopter lessons helicopter lift helicopter logging flight time helicopter maneuvers helicopter maximum performance take off helicopter mel and mmel helicopter model comparison helicopter motion sickness helicopter night vision goggles helicopter online flight schools helicopter online ground school helicopter online ground schools helicopter online school helicopter online training helicopter operation helicopter ownership helicopter pedals helicopter pilot helicopter pilot careers helicopter pilot education helicopter pilot flight risk assessment matrix helicopter pilot jobs helicopter pilot lessons helicopter pilot medication use helicopter pilot retirement helicopter pilot schools helicopter pilot training helicopter pilot weather decisions helicopter pilots helicopter popularity helicopter pre flight helicopter preflight helicopter preheating helicopter private license helicopter private pilot helicopter private pilot cost helicopter radio call helicopter radio communications helicopter rating helicopter ratings helicopter relief efforts helicopter rental helicopter rest arm helicopter rides helicopter right pedal helicopter rotor blade safety helicopter running landing helicopter safety helicopter safety briefing helicopter safety procedures helicopter safety team helicopter safety tips helicopter schools helicopter seats helicopter set down helicopter set downs helicopter simulaters helicopter solo helicopter solo flight helicopter stuck pedal helicopter student helicopter student pilot helicopter student pilots helicopter students helicopter study notebook helicopter take off helicopter test flight helicopter throttle helicopter time building helicopter timer helicopter torque limits helicopter tour accidents helicopter tour business helicopter tours helicopter training helicopter training blueprint helicopter tree trimming helicopter trimming helicopter utility inspection pilot helicopter weather helicopter wire strikes helicopter written test helicoptercontrols helicopterhovering helicopters heliport accident prevention - what you don't know can kill you! helmets high school graduate helicopter pilot hobbs time hogs hogs hangar hogs member hogs member support hogs mobile app hogs vegas hogs vlog hogs wall of fame hogs zip hoodie hogsvegas.com hour requirements hover hover pre take off checks hovering hovering autorotations hovering flight hovering with pedals how to become a helicopter pilot humbling experience hunter gamble hurricane helene hydraulic off iacra icarcus icarus icarus device ifr ifr training iimc imc impact improper endorsements inadvertent imc inadvertent imc fatal accident review index indiana indy 500 instructor instructor availability instructor endorsement instructors instrument instrument course instrument flight instrument flight rules instrument helicopter pilot instrument helicopter rating instrument instructors instrument pilot instrument pilot online course instrument pilot rating instrument pilots instrument training instrument turbine insurance requirements intimate setting intro flights introduction issue jason just breathe karaoke ken keller field kenny kenny keller kenny keller creator kindergarten kneeboard kobe bryant lake tahoe landing landing in snow landings las vegas las vegas trip law enforcement pilot lazy learn to fly lease lessons letter of discontinuance license light lights live training live training tuesday local mechanic log books loss of tail rotor effectiveness loss of tail rotor thrust low g low rotor rpm lte lte loss of tail rotor effectiveness lesson main and tail rotors maintenance malfunction maneuvers manipulating controls manners maximum performance takeoff medical cerificate medical certifcate medical certificate member support members mesh messy michael waltrip missions misuse money motivation mountain flying course national guard helicopter pilot navigating navy pier need to know new book new york city helicopter tour pilot night flight goggles no no go normal north carolina north carolina hogs member north las vegas airport notice of disapproval november 11 november 11 2024 november 11th off offer one day package one hour one-on-one online online ground school online helicopter ground school online helicopter ground schools online helicopter school online helicopter schools online helicopter training online hogs instructor operating operating limitations overspeed overwhelm overwhelmed panels paperback part 141 part 141 flight school part 61 part 61 flight school part 91 passenger briefing passion past fac customers pathway paypal pdf download pencil whipping perfect pinnacle pic pick pilot pilot accessories pilot comfort pilot equipment pilot experience pilot failures pilot in command pilot jobs pilot motivation pilot passion pilot rating pilot shortage pilot training pilot's license pilot's operating handbook pilots plotter poh police helicopters post flight checks practical practical test checklist practice pre pre-flight checks preflight preflight checklist prep presentations pressure altitude private private check ride private pilot private pilot 101 private pilot add on private pilot hours private pilot rating private pilot requirements private pilot training private pilots privatepilot professional helicopter pilot professional pilot program pts pumping collective quick cash quick stops r 22 r 44 r 44 las vegas r-22 r-22 transition r-44 r22 r22 helicopter r22 schedule r22 training r22 vs r44 r44 r44 arrival r44 helicopter r66 radio radio communication radio communications raido calls rating rating requirements ratings real cost registration certificate relief remote pilot required helicopter ems hours requirements respect retired lieutenant colonel retreating blade stall revenue ride robinson robinson helicopter robinson helicopters robinson r 22 robinson r-22 robinson r-22 preflight robinson r-44 robinson r22 robinson r44 roman atwood rotor tips rotors colliding rsvp rsvp event safe landing safety saftey save sbar sign off school schools schweizer schweizer helicopters scud running seatbelts sectional chart september11 set settling with power sfar sfar awareness training sfar sign off sfar training sfar73 awareness training shallow sightseeing signals signed signed book giveaway skills skylines smile more llc soldier field solo solo flight south carolina specials sports analogies standard foggles standards start stay tuned stealing steep stirring the pot struggling student student helicopter pilot student helicopter pilots student pilot student pilot certificate student pilots study subway mishaps sucks sunset ride surprises t bar tail rotor dangers tail rotor direction tail rotor failure tail rotor failures tail rotor malfunction tail rotor strikes tail rotor thrust tailrotor take taz taz chrisman team building team building perspective team event ten tennessee test testimonials the helicopter poscast three flights throttle chop throttle chops tim tucker time time builders time-speed-distance problems timer tips todd ketterman top top 10 checkride tips top ten top ten check ride tips top ten checkride tips topten towered airports tracker training training syllabusStay connected with news and updates!
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras sed sapien quam. Sed dapibus est id enim facilisis, at posuere turpis adipiscing. Quisque sit amet dui dui.