FAA commercial helicopter pilot theory foundations common mistakes
FAA commercial helicopter pilot theory foundations · Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
Using left and right without declaring rotation direction.
The aerodynamic reference is missing.
What to do instead
State the viewing convention and actual rotor direction before applying a directional rule.
Calling every rotor response exactly ninety degrees.
A simplified dynamic model is universalized.
What to do instead
Use the actual rotor design and defined control-phase convention.
Assuming a hydraulic jam is always manually overridable.
A particular safety architecture is assumed without evidence.
What to do instead
Use the actual control-system description and approved failure procedure.
Treating NOTAR as a hot engine-bleed jet.
The anti-torque airflow source and mechanism are misidentified.
What to do instead
Distinguish the actual fan/circulation-control arrangement from a generic bleed-air system.
Calling a correlator identical to an RPM-feedback governor.
A mechanical anticipation link is confused with closed-loop correction.
What to do instead
Identify the actual function, indications and remaining manual control requirements.
Treating in-ground-effect hover capability as an automatic departure plan.
Actual site conditions and escape capability are omitted.
What to do instead
Use the applicable performance charts, site assessment and approved method.
Reading a day/hour group as a simple clock time.
The day and hour fields are merged.
What to do instead
Retain day twelve and hour fourteen as separate parts of the time group.
Treating a small dew-point spread as guaranteed existing fog.
Proximity to saturation becomes an observation not provided.
What to do instead
State the risk condition and check actual weather and further cooling.
Multiplying gallons per hour by minutes without conversion.
The time units do not match.
What to do instead
Convert the flight duration to hours before applying the rate.
Trusting a sensation solely because it feels convincing.
Subjective certainty is confused with independent measurement.
What to do instead
Use the relevant reliable indications and approved training to resolve contradictory cues.
Ignoring worsening weather that conflicts with the plan.
Evidence is selected to preserve the preferred outcome.
What to do instead
State disconfirming cues and reassess against relevant predetermined criteria.
Using fixed-wing ClassG helicopter visibility minima.
The current helicopter-specific table is ignored.
What to do instead
Read the current airspace, altitude, time and aircraft provision together.