ANAC Private Pilot Helicopter (PPH) (ANAC) study plan
ANAC Private Pilot Helicopter (PPH) · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Aircraft General Knowledge - Helicopter & Principles of Flight - Helicopter
Label the major components of the helicopter rotor, transmission, and control systems on a blank diagram
Explain how cyclic, collective, and anti-torque pedals produce their respective control inputs
Define angle of attack, induced flow, and relative wind for a rotor blade in hover and forward flight
Describe dissymmetry of lift and list the aerodynamic compensations used to counter it
Your checkpoint
A one-page hand-drawn helicopter systems and control schematic with 20+ labeled parts, scored 90% or better against a self-made checklist
Aircraft General Knowledge - Helicopter & Principles of Flight - Helicopter
Differentiate translational lift, effective translational lift, and vortex ring state by the conditions that create them
Explain retreating blade stall and list the factors that increase its likelihood
Describe autorotation entry, steady-state descent, and flare recovery in aerodynamic terms
Identify the causes and recovery actions for ground resonance and dynamic rollover
Compare hover, forward-flight, and autorotative power requirements on a qualitative power curve
Your checkpoint
A written 10-question self-test on rotor aerodynamics and helicopter systems, answered closed-book with a score of 80% or higher
Air Law and ANAC Regulations
Map the ANAC regulatory structure for private pilot helicopter certification, including eligibility and experience requirements
List the documents and records that must be carried aboard and retained by the pilot
State the currency, recency, and medical validity rules applicable to a private helicopter pilot
Summarize the rules on passenger carriage, privileges, and limitations of the private pilot certificate
Identify the operational rules covering minimum altitudes, right-of-way, and reckless operation
Your checkpoint
A personal regulatory compliance checklist covering documents, currency, and medical validity, verified against the applicable regulation text
Air Law and ANAC Regulations & Flight Performance and Planning
Compute weight and balance for a helicopter given an empty weight, arm, and loading scenario
Calculate density altitude from pressure altitude and temperature and state its effect on hover performance
Explain the performance limitations shown on a hover ceiling and payload chart
Determine fuel required for a planned flight accounting for reserve and climb/cruise burn
State the regulatory fuel-reserve requirement applicable to helicopter operations
Your checkpoint
A completed weight-and-balance and density-altitude worksheet for three different loading scenarios, all within limits and arithmetic verified
Flight Performance and Planning & Meteorology
Interpret a surface analysis chart and identify fronts, pressure systems, and their associated weather
Decode a METAR and TAF and determine whether conditions permit a planned VFR flight
Describe the formation and hazards of low-level wind shear, mountain waves, and density-altitude extremes
Explain how temperature, humidity, and pressure affect helicopter performance and service ceiling
Read a winds-aloft forecast and apply it to cruise planning
Your checkpoint
A go/no-go weather decision write-up for three sample METAR/TAF sets, each with a justified decision and cited hazards
Navigation
Plot a multi-leg cross-country course on a sectional chart and measure true course for each leg
Compute magnetic heading from true course using variation and deviation and apply wind correction
Calculate estimated time en route and fuel burn for each leg at planned cruise speed
Identify airspace classes, special-use airspace, and obstructions along a planned route
Describe pilotage, dead reckoning, and the use of GPS as a backup navigation method
Your checkpoint
A complete navigation log for a three-leg cross-country flight with courses, headings, times, and fuel, cross-checked for internal consistency
Operational Procedures & Human Performance and Limitations
List preflight and pre-takeoff checks specific to helicopter operations and explain the purpose of each
Describe emergency procedures for engine failure in hover, at altitude, and in autorotation
Explain the effects of hypoxia, fatigue, dehydration, and spatial disorientation on pilot performance
Apply the IMSAFE and hazardous-attitudes frameworks to a realistic scenario
State the actions for a precautionary landing and for an off-airport emergency landing
Your checkpoint
A written emergency-procedures quick-reference card for five helicopter emergencies, each with immediate actions in correct order
Communications (Radiotelephony) & Air Law and ANAC Regulations & Flight Performance and Planning
Use standard radiotelephony phraseology for ground, tower, and uncontrolled-airport communications
Read back clearances and state the phonetic alphabet, numbers, and standard call signs correctly
Review regulatory and performance weak areas identified in earlier self-tests
Complete a timed full-length practice exam under exam conditions
Analyze every missed question and record the underlying knowledge gap
Your checkpoint
A timed full-length practice exam score of 80% or higher, with a written remediation list for every missed item
Milestones
Week 2: Score 80% or higher on the closed-book aerodynamics and systems self-test and explain translational lift, retreating blade stall, and autorotation from memory
Week 4: Complete three weight-and-balance and density-altitude scenarios with all results within limits and no arithmetic errors
Week 6: Produce a fully consistent three-leg navigation log with correct headings, times, and fuel, and a justified weather go/no-go decision
Week 8: Achieve 80% or higher on a timed full-length practice exam and show a remediation list covering every missed question