The Hovercontrol Instrument Navigation Course Checkride

Okay, you've practiced hovers until you can do them in your sleep, sweated through your CP checkride. In the real world, that would equate with your solo flight. Now before we turn you loose on the big bad world we need to know that you can find your way in it. So if you've studied the Instrument Navigation Course and practiced the exercises. Now it's time to find out what you know.

We will be conducting this test in one of four geographical locations each chosen for navaid availability as well as possessing interesting terrain.

All flights will be conducted in day VFR conditions using the default Bell 206, and winds will be moderate 10-15 knots.

The test will involve flight planning; correct use of all navigation related instruments, as well as proper pattern and radio procedures appropriate to an uncontrolled airport. As this checkride is only administered to certified pilots we expect to see a good level of control over the helicopter at all times.

How the test is to be implemented:

1) The student will be given one of four areas to plan the flight, by the evaluating instructor pilot, no more than 3 hours prior to evaluation. This course is NOT to be pre-flown by the student.  

2) The GPS is NOT to be used for any normal flight legs.

3) Use of FSNavigator is NOT allowed.

4) Use of an autopilot is NOT allowed.

5) The student will meet with the instructor and give the instructor the flight plan, at which time the instructor will accept or make recommendations for improvement/correction of said plan. The student will then proceed with the flight portion of checkride or be given reasonable time to alter original plan.

Plan evaluation criteria:

The flight plan must include the use of both NDBs and VORs as the primary navigation tool at least twice. All legs shall be a minimum of 10 miles and max of 30 miles and flown at an altitude to provide adequate terrain clearance. The flight portion of the checkride should require 45-60 minutes. The student's plan is to include a list of the required navaids, their type, frequencies, chosen radials, and/or headings, as well as lengths of the individual legs. The instructor will assign speed and direction of wind, which will remain constant throughout the evaluation. Student will be instructed also to not exceed any of the operating limitations of the helicopter, namely, no more than 85% torque and not to exceed 110 knots in any flight regime. Normal take-offs, approaches, landings, and appropriate traffic patterns are required. Flight legs are to be flown at planned altitude as determined from sectional with minimum 500 ft AGL at all times, except in the pattern. The flight will begin and terminate at an airport; it is not required you begin and end at the same airport. The destination airport must be a non navaid equipped airport. Look for ones marked with a circled R and marked PVT, for private.

***Radio Procedure will be monitored but will not result in a failure of the exam, we are simply encouraging students to use proper radio procedure at uncontrolled airports and make position reports to advise other pilots in the area of their location and intention. Correct radio procedure will only add to their grade not diminish it. The goal is always 'AVIATE - NAVIGATE - COMMUNICATE' ***


THE CHECKRIDE FLIGHT

The instructor will follow the student using the 'observer mode', so as not to unduly influence the student's performance.

1) The instructor will assign wind speed and direction 10-15 knots and predominately crosswind to the majority of the student's flight plan.


2) The compass section will be evaluated first, the student will be asked to depart from the airport on an appropriate heading and climb to pattern altitude with a compass as their only form of directional reference. Student should pay close attention to following uncontrolled airport procedure, including pattern and communication.


3) Once the student is clear of the departure airport and has displayed the ability to maintain heading, altitude and airspeed. The instructor will give the student 3 heading changes, before asking them to resume own navigation. At this point the student should be able to resume the original course to first navaid on their submitted plan.


4) The student should keep instructor apprised when making any major heading, altitude, or radio setting changes, but this is not a must.


5) The student is expected to turn to and intercept the chosen course, in a timely manner. Tracking should be reasonably precise regardless of assigned winds. Within 1/2 mile of desired/assigned track at all times except in pattern.


6)  Enroute altitudes should not deviate by more than 200ft +/- from those planned or assigned by instructor.


Emergency Procedure, fly to nearest airport using GPS

At any point the instructor may ask the student to divert directly to an alternate location using the GPS. This will allow the instructor to evaluate the students ability to utilize the GPS as the primary tool for navigation. Due to the easy and widespread use of the device it is suggested this only take place once and only to a reasonably close alternate. Suggestion:  Amber transmission chip light came on, make a precautionary landing, as soon as practical, at nearest airport (initial response on this should be prompt). Once the diversion has been completed student will resume their planned route.


Click Here for Flight Plan Sheet




NAV COURSE CHECKRIDE SCRIPT

Basic operations

All departures and approaches should be into the wind or as close as runway or terrain allows.
Please use correct radio procedures as if operating at uncontrolled airports.
Fly in a controlled and safe manner, this includes:
Be kind to your helo, don't use more than 85% torque or exceed 110 KIAS in any flight regime
1) Altitude control, maintain within 200ft of assigned or flight plan altitude
2) Follow your flight plan course, unless instructed otherwise
3) Require precise course tracking, and correct use of the navaids
4) Pilot should read back all instructions  
5) as well as following all instructions given by the instructor. Expect the unexpected!

The instructor will evaluate your flight based on your ability to demonstrate the individual skills.

Rating scale as follows:    
1=Total inability to demonstrate skill
2=Minimal ability to demonstrate skill
3=Average ability to demonstrate skill
4=Above average ability to demonstrate skill
5=Masterfully demonstrates skill

3 equals a pass on each skill

1. Departure airport procedure

Once the instructor has approved the student's submitted flight plan the instructor will assign winds and ask the student to 'move to airport' joining on ramp, when available, and set frequencies for the first waypoint. When ready, hover to the appropriate runway, based on winds assigned. The student should use proper radio procedures. The instructor will give an initial altitude and departure heading to turn to once clear of the runway.  


Radio procedure
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Appropriate Taxi Procedure/Hold Short/Into Position
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Appropriate Departure Technique
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Altitude
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Heading
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []



2. Compass section

1) Using only your compass for heading reference turn to *** while climbing to *** msl.
2) Turn to *** while climbing to/maintaining *** msl.
3) Turn to *** while maintaining *** msl.
4) Resume own navigation to first waypoint on your flight plan.

Radio procedure
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Altitude
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Heading
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Intercepting original course
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Maintained orientation
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []



3. First Waypoint        NDB [ ]       VOR [ ]

     
Radio Procedure
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Altitude
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Heading
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Course Tracking
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Proper use of navigation equipment
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []



4. Second Waypoint       NDB [ ]       VOR [ ]

Radio Procedure
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Altitude
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Heading
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Course Tracking
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Proper use of navigation equipment
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []




5. Third Waypoint        NDB [ ]       VOR [ ]

Radio Procedure
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Altitude
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Heading
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Course Tracking
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Proper use of navigation equipment
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []




6. Fourth Waypoint       NDB [ ]       VOR [ ]

Radio Procedure
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Altitude
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Heading
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Course Tracking
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Proper use of navigation equipment
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []


(Fifth and Sixth Waypoints are optional, otherwise skip to Destination Airport section)

7. Fifth Waypoint        NDB [ ]       VOR [ ]

Radio Procedure
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Altitude
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Heading
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Course Tracking
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Proper use of navigation equipment
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []




8. Sixth Waypoint       NDB [ ]       VOR [ ]

Radio Procedure
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Altitude
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Heading
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Course Tracking
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Proper use of navigation equipment
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []




9. Destination airport (non-navaid)

Proper use of navigation equipment (simultaneously use 2 navaids to locate the airport)
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Located airport promptly*
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Radio Procedures
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Approach/Landing
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

* Criteria (immediately = 5, 1-2 mins = 4, 3-4 mins = 3, 4-5 mins = 2, > 5mins = 1)




10. Emergency Procedure (this can occur any time)
 
Proper use of navigation equipment
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Appropriate response*
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Located airport promptly
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Radio Procedures
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Approach/Landing
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

Resumed original course
1. [] 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. []

* While not requiring an immediate landing the continued safe flight would be in question, necessitating the precautionary landing. The correct response is to use the GPS to locate the nearest airport and fly immediately to it. The initial response, acquiring and turning to the nearest airport, should require less than 30 seconds.  


Instructor comments: