CH.I.F — Performance and Limitations

What does ACS code CH.I.F cover?

ACS Code CH.I.F covers "Performance and Limitations" under Area of Operation I (Preflight Preparation) for the FAA Commercial Pilot Helicopter certificate (FAA-S-ACS-16). Candidates are tested on knowledge elements and risk management factors defined in 14 CFR regulations and FAA handbooks (PHAK / AFH).

Task Specification & Required References

• ACS Document: FAA-S-ACS-16 (Commercial Pilot Helicopter)
• Area of Operation: Area I — Preflight Preparation
• Task: Task F — Performance and Limitations
• Primary FAA Sources: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25), Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3) / Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21), Aviation Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28), 14 CFR Parts 61, 91 & 107, Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM).

Airman Certification Standards Elements

Knowledge Elements

• CH.I.F.K1: Elements related to performance and limitations by explaining the use of charts, tables, and data to determine performance.
• CH.I.F.K2: Factors affecting performance, including:
• CH.I.F.K2a: a. Atmospheric conditions
• CH.I.F.K2b: b. Pilot technique
• CH.I.F.K2c: c. Helicopter configuration
• CH.I.F.K2d: d. Airport, heliport, helipad, or unprepared surface environment
• CH.I.F.K2e: e. Loading and weight and balance
• CH.I.F.K3: Aerodynamics.
• CH.I.F.K4: Height/Velocity (H/V) diagram according to the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM).

Risk Management Elements

• CH.I.F.R1: Use of performance charts, tables, and data.
• CH.I.F.R2: Helicopter limitations.
• CH.I.F.R3: Possible differences between calculated performance and actual performance.
• CH.I.F.R4: Exceeding weight limits.
• CH.I.F.R5: Operating outside of CG limits.
• CH.I.F.R6: Shifting, adding, and removing weight.
• CH.I.F.R7: Retreating blade stall.
• CH.I.F.R8: Situations that lead to loss of tail rotor/antitorque effectiveness (LTE).

How do I study CH.I.F?

1. Read each element for CH.I.F in FAA-S-ACS-16 and note any you cannot explain in your own words.
2. Study each one in the FAA source it points to: the handbook chapter, the 14 CFR section or the AIM paragraph.
3. Practice with questions tagged CH.I.F, and read the explanation for every miss.
4. Retest, then review the ACS codes you still miss on your practice test report.

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Related ACS tasks

• Previous task: CH.I.E — National Airspace System
• Next task: CH.I.G — Operation of Systems
• Same area: CH.I.A — Pilot Qualifications
• Same area: CH.I.B — Airworthiness Requirements
• Same area: CH.I.C — Weather Information
• Same area: CH.I.D — Cross-Country Flight Planning
• Same area: CH.I.E — National Airspace System
• Same area: CH.I.G — Operation of Systems