Module 12
Module 12: Helicopter Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems
A3 A4 B1.3 B1.4
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/989 amending Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014, Annex III (Part-66), Appendix I 12 June 2024
Knowledge Level Overview
| Ref | Topic | A3/A4 | B1.3/B1.4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12.1 | Theory of flight – rotary wing aerodynamics | 1 | 2 |
| 12.2 | Flight control systems (ATA 67) | 2 | 3 |
| 12.3 | Blade tracking and vibration analysis (ATA 18) | 1 | 3 |
| 12.4 | Transmission | 1 | 3 |
| 12.5(a) | Airframe structures (ATA 51) — General concept | 2 | 2 |
| 12.5(b) | Airframe structures (ATA 51) — Construction methods of the principal elements | 1 | 2 |
| 12.6.1 | Air conditioning (ATA 21) — Air supply | 1 | 2 |
| 12.6.2 | Air conditioning (ATA 21) — Air conditioning | 1 | 3 |
| 12.7.1 | Instrument systems (ATA 31) | 1 | 2 |
| 12.7.2 | Avionics systems | 1 | 1 |
| 12.8 | Electrical power (ATA 24) | 1 | 3 |
| 12.9(a) | Equipment and furnishings (ATA 25) — Emergency equipment; seats, harnesses & belts; lifting systems | 2 | 2 |
| 12.9(b) | Equipment and furnishings (ATA 25) — Emergency flotation; cabin layout; cargo retention; equipment & furnishing installation | 1 | 1 |
| 12.10(a) | Fire protection (ATA 26) — Fire & smoke detection and fire-extinguishing systems | 1 | 3 |
| 12.10(b) | Fire protection (ATA 26) — Portable fire extinguishers | 1 | 1 |
| 12.11 | Fuel systems (ATA 28) | 1 | 3 |
| 12.12 | Hydraulic power (ATA 29) | 1 | 3 |
| 12.13 | Ice and rain protection (ATA 30) | 1 | 3 |
| 12.14(a) | Landing gear (ATA 32) — System description and operation | 2 | 3 |
| 12.14(b) | Landing gear (ATA 32) — Sensors | 2 | 3 |
| 12.15 | Lights (ATA 33) | 2 | 3 |
| 12.16 | (Reserved) | — | — |
| 12.17(a) | Integrated modular avionics (ATA 42) — Overall system description and theory | 1 | 2 |
| 12.17(b) | Integrated modular avionics (ATA 42) — Typical system layouts | 1 | 2 |
| 12.18 | On-board maintenance systems (ATA 45) | 1 | 2 |
| 12.19 | Information systems (ATA 46) | 1 | 2 |
Knowledge levels: 1 = basic familiarisation, 2 = general knowledge, 3 = detailed knowledge. A dash (—) means the topic is not required for that category.
Note: In Appendix I the levels are listed under two combined columns — A3 and A4 share identical requirements, as do B1.3 and B1.4.
1 Basic familiarisation
2 General knowledge
3 Detailed knowledge
Examination
| Category | Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| A (A3/A4) | 100 | 125 min |
| B1 (B1.3/B1.4) | 128 | 160 min |
Detailed Syllabus
12.1Theory of Flight — Rotary Wing Aerodynamics
- Terminology (rotor disc, tip path plane, advancing/retreating blade, etc.)
- Aerodynamic principles of rotary wing flight
- Torque reaction and directional control (tail rotor, NOTAR, Fenestron)
- Gyroscopic precession and phase lag
- Dissymmetry of lift and blade flapping
- Ground effect and translational lift
- Autorotation principles
- Vortex ring state, blade stall, compressibility effects
- Coriolis effect on blade lead-lag
- Hovering, forward flight, climbing, descending, turning flight
12.2Flight Control Systems (ATA 67)
- Swashplate assembly: rotating and non-rotating stars
- Collective pitch control system
- Cyclic pitch control system
- Tail rotor / yaw control system
- Mixing unit and control rods
- Servo and hydraulic boost units
- Flight control rigging and adjustment
- Stability augmentation systems (SAS)
- Autopilot systems and AFCS (Automatic Flight Control Systems)
- Trim systems
- Active vibration control systems
- FBW (fly-by-wire) helicopter applications
12.3Blade Tracking and Vibration Analysis (ATA 18)
- Vibration theory: frequency, amplitude, sources
- Rotor track and balance fundamentals
- Blade tracking methods (flag, strobe, electronic)
- Vibration analysis techniques
- 1-per-rev, 2-per-rev, and higher-order vibration identification
- Span-wise and chord-wise balance
- Autobalance and automatic tracking systems
- Vibration health monitoring (VHM) systems
12.4Transmissions
- Main gearbox: types, construction, operation
- Intermediate and tail rotor gearboxes
- Freewheeling units (sprag clutches, roller clutches)
- Rotor brakes
- Transmission lubrication and cooling systems
- Drive shafts, couplings, and hangers
- Chip detectors and debris monitoring
- Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) for transmissions
- Gearbox inspection and maintenance requirements
- Over-torque and over-speed procedures
12.5Airframe Structures
12.5(a)Structural Requirements
- Airworthiness requirements for helicopter structures (CS-27, CS-29)
- Structural classification: primary, secondary, tertiary
- Damage tolerance and safe-life concepts
- Crashworthiness requirements
- Fatigue life and component retirement
- Zonal and structural inspections
12.5(b)Construction Methods
- Fuselage construction: skin, frames, bulkheads, stringers, longerons
- Tailboom and tail pylon construction
- Composite materials in helicopter structures
- Bonded and riveted construction
- Structural repairs: temporary and permanent
- Rotor blade construction (spars, skins, honeycomb, erosion strips)
- Main rotor head components (hub, grips, dampers, bearings)
- Elastomeric bearings (spherical, lamiflex)
- Pylon mounting and vibration isolation
- Engine mounting systems
12.6Air Conditioning (ATA 21)
12.6.1Air Supply (ATA 21)
- Sources of bleed air (engine, APU)
- APU bleed air
- Ram air and fresh air ventilation
- Combustion heaters
12.6.2Air Conditioning (ATA 21)
- Heating and ventilation systems
- Vapour cycle cooling systems
- Air cycle machine cooling
- Temperature control and distribution
- Pressurisation systems (where applicable)
- Cabin environmental monitoring
12.7Instruments / Avionic Systems
12.7.1Instruments
- Pitot-static instruments (ASI, altimeter, VSI)
- Gyroscopic instruments (attitude indicator, HSI, turn coordinator)
- Engine instruments (torque, N1, N2, TOT/TGT, oil pressure/temp)
- Rotor RPM indicators (Nr, Nf)
- EFIS and glass cockpit displays
- Caution and warning systems
12.7.2Avionic Systems
- Communication systems (VHF, HF, SATCOM, intercom)
- Navigation systems (VOR, ILS, GPS, RNAV, ADF)
- TCAS and transponder systems
- Radio altimeter
- Weather radar
- ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter)
- CVR and FDR (recorders)
- TAWS/EGPWS (Terrain Awareness)
12.8Electrical Power (ATA 24)
- DC generation (starter-generators, battery systems)
- AC generation (alternators, inverters)
- Power distribution and bus architecture
- Circuit protection (breakers, fuses, current limiters)
- External power connections
- Battery types and maintenance (lead-acid, NiCd, Li-ion)
- Emergency power systems
- Electrical load management
12.9Equipment and Furnishings (ATA 25)
12.9(a)Emergency Equipment (ATA 25)
- Emergency equipment (ELT, life rafts, flotation)
- Emergency flotation systems
- Life jackets and emergency breathing systems
- First aid kits, portable fire extinguishers
- Emergency exit marking and lighting
12.9(b)Cabin/Cargo Layout (ATA 25)
- Cabin layout and configuration
- Seats, harnesses, and restraint systems
- Cargo handling and securing
- Emergency exits and jettison systems
- Soundproofing and insulation
12.10Fire Protection (ATA 26)
- Fire detection systems (thermocouple, thermistor, continuous loop)
- Fire extinguishing systems (engine, APU, baggage)
- Fire extinguishing agents (Halon alternatives, dry powder)
- Fire zones and firewall construction
- Smoke detection systems
- Portable fire extinguishers
- Fire protection system testing and maintenance
12.11Fuel Systems (ATA 28)
- Fuel system layout (gravity feed, pressure feed)
- Fuel tanks (bladder, integral, crashworthy)
- Fuel pumps (boost, transfer, engine-driven)
- Fuel quantity indication systems
- Fuel jettison and crossfeed systems
- Fuel filtration and water separation
- Refuelling and defuelling procedures
- Crashworthy fuel system requirements
12.12Hydraulic Power (ATA 29)
- Hydraulic system architecture (single, dual, utility/flight)
- Hydraulic pumps (engine-driven, electric, hand)
- Reservoirs, accumulators, filters
- Hydraulic fluid types and maintenance
- Servo actuators for flight controls
- System monitoring and warnings
- Hydraulic system maintenance and troubleshooting
12.13Ice and Rain Protection (ATA 30)
- Ice formation and effects on helicopters
- Anti-icing systems (electrical, bleed air)
- De-icing systems (pneumatic boots, electro-thermal)
- Rotor blade de-icing/anti-icing
- Windshield wiper and rain repellent systems
- Engine intake anti-icing
- Ice detection systems
12.14Landing Gear (ATA 32)
- Skid-type landing gear (cross tubes, skid shoes)
- Wheeled landing gear (fixed, retractable)
- Ground resonance and shimmy dampers
- Float gear and emergency flotation systems
- Helicopter Ground Handling Wheels (HGW)
- Bear paw / snow shoes
- Shock absorbers and energy absorption
12.15Lights (ATA 33)
- External lighting (navigation, anti-collision, landing, search)
- Internal lighting (cockpit, cabin, instrument)
- Emergency lighting systems
- NVG-compatible lighting
12.16Reserved
12.17Integrated Modular Avionics (ATA 42)
- IMA concept and architecture
- Common computing resources
- Core processing and I/O modules
- ARINC 653 partitioning
- IMA advantages for helicopter systems
- Configuration and line replaceable modules
12.18On Board Maintenance Systems (ATA 45)
- Central maintenance computers
- Built-in test equipment (BITE)
- Data loading systems
- Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS)
- Vibration health monitoring integration
- Fault reporting and diagnosis
12.19Information Systems (ATA 46)
- Electronic Flight Bag (EFB)
- Aircraft communications addressing and reporting (ACARS)
- Cabin management systems
- Data network systems
- Software configuration management