My initial 135 Ride in a 206-B3

[Falko]

Hey guys,

 

 

I just passed my initial PART 135 check on our 206-B3

In case some of you are about to take I will tell you now what the examiner asked me

 

THE ORAL

 

He asked me lots of stuff out of Part 61, 91. 119 & 135

 

 

AIRCRAFT QUESTIONS

 

Know all the limitations of your aircraft. In my case he asked me almost any number that you will find in the Helicopter manual. In my case it was the 206 B3 and he focused mainly on all the limitations that your aircraft has

He will ask ok, what is the max AMP you are allowed to get from a ground start unit “APU”…

He also asked me stuff about the compressor, how many stages it has.. etc.

Another very important thing is, don’t step into the MPH / KTS trap. I studied both kinds of airspeeds because some numbers were mention in kts and some others were in mph….so make sure you get them all on one paper in KTS or MPH….especially when you have an aircraft like we do, that has only mph speed indicator…..

Kts-> MPH = Kts X 1.152 = MPH.

- know you critical azimuth IN DEGREES

- know the 135 Whether requirements for CLASS G,C, D, E, B, at day and night

- For how long do you need to keep a weight and balance und 135 ?

- Make sure you have a weight an balance for every change in weight in the

helicopter when you pick up and drop off passenger on a trip to different places with different operations

- he will ask you about basics aerodynamics

- What conditions do you need to have FOG

- can you take off in icing conditions

- What electronically devices are allowed in a helicopter, Cell ?

- Can you carry weapons on board ?

- Know you fuel requirements for day and night

- “General operation limitation” like, what kind of operation can you do ? In what country? What papers needs to be in the helicopter for 135 operations.

- Know you time on duty. Rest time, how many hrs can you fly within 24hrs.

- Can a mother put her baby in a baby sit in the helicopter under 135 ?

- Hazarders materials course… how often do you need to take it ?

- How many days in advance can the FAA show up and do recurrent 135 ride with you, even when you are still in a current 135.

- For how long is a 135 certificate valid ? What will happen when the 12 month passed by, can you still fly under part 135 ?

- He asked me about Sigments and Airmets , know every thing about it.(valid until XX;XX what kind of information will they give you ?)

 

 

The KEY is guys, to really focus in the FARAIM, your company General Operation Manual “GOM” statements of compliance and the Operations specification “OPS-SPECTS”…that’s what they will quiz the most on, besides the aircraft manual

 

 

The Flight (commercial PTS)

 

- stuck pedal left or right

- confined area

- max performance take off

- en route check “little XC flight ”

- slope he will ask you how many degrees is you max slope bank angle while you are flying

- straight in with 100 MPH at the beginning and then he wants you to slow down to about 60->70 MPH . He still wants you to hit the spot.

- hover auto

- hydraulic off.. know what the circuit breakers are…he does not like it if you have to look for them.

 

Make sure you think out loud, so he knows what you gonna do.

 

 

 

To be hones, I did not know everything but I guess that’s ok for an initial 135 ride

Falko

Edited April 1, 2008 by Falko

[blave!]

Congrats on passing your initial 135 ride! Thanks for taking the time for the informative post!

[rick1128]

Actually, you don't need to know everything. You do need to know the stuff you use everyday. Weather, limitation, most regs and so on. The stuff you do not use everyday, it is acceptable to say 'I don't know' But you do need to know where to find the information. Like can you operate at night under VFR in Upper Lower Helistan? Or can you carry Class I radiological material? The inspectors do not expect you to remember that type of information, but they do want you to have an understanding of where it is located. As for aircraft limitation, under Order 8400.10, it was acceptable to give answers like green arc, yellow arc, red line, etc. Especially if operating different version of the same aircraft. I haven't spent a lot of time studying the new verison Order 8900.10 to see how it has changed.

 

Be aware of one trick question that some inspectors are using. What hazmat paperwork is required for carrying a spare can of engine oil in the aircraft? The correct answer is none. It is exempt under Part 175.

[Gomer Pylot]

It's pretty much up to the examiner as to what to ask. I've never had a ride from an FAA examiner, in 40 years of flying. It has all been done by designated examiners, and the oral and the flight can vary widely. In general, if you give good oral, you receive less anal. If you know the answers to the first questions, you may get a pass on later ones. Some examiners will keep digging until they come up with questions you can't answer. Some are only checking to see if you know the required stuff, and quit when they're satisfied that you do. If you've done well on the oral, he may be more lenient on the flight portion, but if your oral was weak, you had better be strong on the flying. At least that has been my experience on close to a hundred checkrides, military and civilian.