# IH.VI.A — Non-precision Approach — Instrument Rating Rotorcraft ACS

> IH.VI.A from FAA-S-ACS-14, including the official objective, references, notes, and 27 exact knowledge, risk-management, and skill descriptions.

Canonical HTML: [https://www.check-ride.ai/acs/rotorcraft/instrument-rating/ih-vi-a](https://www.check-ride.ai/acs/rotorcraft/instrument-rating/ih-vi-a)

Site reference: [https://www.check-ride.ai/llms.txt](https://www.check-ride.ai/llms.txt)

## Official Task context

- FAA document: Instrument Rating – Helicopter Airman Certification Standards
- Identifier: FAA-S-ACS-14
- Published source date: November 2023
- Aircraft category: Rotorcraft
- Certificate or rating: Instrument Rating
- Area of Operation: Area of Operation VI. Instrument Approach Procedures
- Task: Task A. Non-precision Approach
- Task code prefix: IH.VI.A
- Official references: 14 CFR part 91; AC 120-108; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-16, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25; Terminal Procedures Publications
- FAA source library: https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs

## Official Task objective

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with performing non-precision approach procedures solely by reference to instruments.

## Knowledge elements

- **IH.VI.A.K1** — Procedures and limitations associated with a non-precision approach, including the differences between Localizer Performance (LP) and Lateral Navigation (LNAV) approach guidance.
- **IH.VI.A.K2** — Navigation system indications and annunciations expected during an area navigation (RNAV) approach.
- **IH.VI.A.K3** — Ground-based and satellite-based navigation systems used for a non-precision approach.
- **IH.VI.A.K4** — A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
- **IH.VI.A.K5** — Copter Point-in-Space (PinS) approaches.

## Risk management elements

- **IH.VI.A.R1** — Deviating from the assigned approach procedure.
- **IH.VI.A.R2** — Selecting a navigation frequency.
- **IH.VI.A.R3** — Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
- **IH.VI.A.R4** — Helicopter configuration during an approach and missed approach.
- **IH.VI.A.R5** — An unstable approach, including excessive descent rates.
- **IH.VI.A.R6** — Deteriorating weather conditions on approach.
- **IH.VI.A.R7** — Operating below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) without proper visual references.

## Skills elements

- **IH.VI.A.S1** — Accomplish the non-precision instrument approaches selected by the evaluator.
- **IH.VI.A.S2** — Establish two-way communications with air traffic control (ATC) appropriate for the phase of flight or approach segment, and use proper communication phraseology.
- **IH.VI.A.S3** — Select, tune, identify, and confirm the operational status of navigation equipment to be used for the approach.
- **IH.VI.A.S4** — Comply with all clearances issued by ATC or the evaluator.
- **IH.VI.A.S5** — Recognize if any flight instrumentation is inaccurate or inoperative, and take appropriate action.
- **IH.VI.A.S6** — Advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance.
- **IH.VI.A.S7** — Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
- **IH.VI.A.S8** — Establish the appropriate helicopter configuration and airspeed considering meteorological and operating conditions.
- **IH.VI.A.S9** — Maintain altitude ±100 feet, selected heading ±10°, airspeed ±10 knots, no more than ¾ scale CDI deflection, and accurately track radials, courses, or bearings, prior to beginning the final approach segment.
- **IH.VI.A.S10** — Adjust the published MDA and visibility criteria for the aircraft approach category, as appropriate, for factors that include Notices of Air Missions (NOTAMs), inoperative aircraft or navigation equipment, or inoperative visual aids associated with the landing environment, etc.
- **IH.VI.A.S11** — Establish a stabilized descent to the appropriate altitude.
- **IH.VI.A.S12** — For the final approach segment, maintain no more than ¾ scale CDI deflection, airspeed ±10 knots, and altitude, if applicable, above MDA +100/-0 feet to the Visual Descent Point (VDP) or missed approach point (MAP).
- **IH.VI.A.S13** — Assess if the required visual references are available, and either initiate the missed approach procedure or continue for landing.
- **IH.VI.A.S14** — Use a multi-function display (MFD) and other graphical navigation displays, if installed, to monitor position, track wind drift, and to maintain situational awareness.
- **IH.VI.A.S15** — Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.

## Difficulty methodology

Difficulty calibration is ongoing for this Task. Observed difficulty is a privacy-thresholded check-ride.ai mock-oral practice proxy, not an FAA practical-test pass or fail rate. Underlying sample sizes and the private reporting threshold are not published.

## Official Task notes

- See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.

## Use in practice

A mock examiner can ask a pilot to explain the published elements, apply them to the configured aircraft and airport context, identify risks, and defend a decision. Practice prompts are not represented as actual FAA examiner scripts or predictions of the questions a candidate will receive.