ANAC Commercial Pilot Helicopter (PCH) study guide
ANAC Commercial Pilot Helicopter (PCH) · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ANAC Commercial Pilot Helicopter (PCH) is the Brazilian civil aviation licence that allows a pilot to act as pilot-in-command of helicopters in commercial air transport and to be paid for flying. It is issued by the Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil and builds on the private pilot helicopter licence: candidates must already hold a PPH, meet the experience and medical requirements, and pass the PCH knowledge examinations. The ANAC Commercial Pilot Helicopter (PCH) study guide has 9 sections and about 2,631 words.
01Air Law and ANAC Regulations (RBAC) for Commercial Helicopter Operations
Brazilian civil aviation is governed by the Lei do Aeronauta and the Código Brasileiro de Aeronáutica, implemented operationally through the Regulamentos Brasileiros da Aviação Civil (RBAC). For a commercial helicopter pilot, the key documents are RBAC 61 (licences, ratings, recency, medical validity), RBAC 91 (general operating and flight rules), RBAC 135 (commercial transport operations) and the RBAC 91 subparts covering helicopter-specific limits.
376 words, about 2 min02Aircraft General Knowledge - Helicopter Airframe, Rotor Systems, and Engines
A helicopter's airframe carries the dynamic components: the main rotor system, the tail rotor or anti-torque system, the transmission, and the engine installation. Know the difference between articulated, semi-rigid (teetering) and rigid rotor heads, and what each implies for flapping and lead-lag.
321 words, about 2 min03Flight Performance, Weight and Balance, and Loading for Helicopters
Helicopter performance depends on density altitude, weight, wind and the power available. Know the hover ceiling in ground effect (HIGE) and out of ground effect (HOGE), and why HOGE is always lower.
308 words, about 2 min04Human Performance and Limitations
Human performance covers physiology, psychology and ergonomics. Know hypoxia, hyperventilation, spatial disorientation, illusions (somatogravic, somatogyral, Coriolis), and the effects of vibration and noise on helicopter crews.
278 words, about 1 min05Meteorology
Know the standard atmosphere, pressure and density altitude, and how temperature and humidity reduce performance. Understand the formation of clouds, fronts (cold, warm, occluded), and the weather associated with each.
287 words, about 1 min06Navigation
Know the Earth's coordinate system, latitude and longitude, and the difference between true, magnetic and compass headings. Understand variation (between true and magnetic) and deviation (between magnetic and compass), and how to apply them.
265 words, about 1 min07Operational Procedures and Helicopter Flight Techniques
Know the standard procedures for pre-flight, engine start, hover checks, take-off, approach and landing. Understand the confined area and sloping ground techniques, and the precautions for dust, snow and water.
284 words, about 1 min08Principles of Flight - Helicopters (Aerodynamics)
Understand how the rotor produces lift through angle of attack and airflow, and how induced drag, profile drag and parasite drag combine. Know the power required curve: induced power dominates at low speed, parasite power at high speed, and the total curve has a minimum at the best endurance speed.
268 words, about 1 min09Communications (Radiotelephony and Phraseology)
Know the standard ICAO phraseology adapted in Brazil: callsigns, readback requirements, and the structure of a radio call (station called, station calling, position, intention). Understand the difference between a request, a report and a readback.
244 words, about 1 min