ACS Alignment

FAA-S-ACS-16 — Commercial Pilot, Rotorcraft–Helicopter · Area of Operation X. Postflight Procedures · Task: A — After Landing, Parking and Securing

CH.X.A.S1 — after-landing, parking & securing procedures CH.X.A.K1 — shutdown, rotor brake & securing the aircraft CH.X.A.R1 — rotor coast-down, bystanders & FOD CH.X.A.K2 — documenting discrepancies

⚑ FLAG (Walter): confirm Task letter (A) and codes for Area X (Postflight Procedures).

After Landing, Parking & Securing

Close the flight out properly — cool-down, shutdown, secure the rotor and aircraft, and log any squawks.

By the end of this lesson you can:

Perform the after-landing and shutdown flow per the POH (cool-down, switches, fuel, rotor stop).
Park and secure the helicopter: tie-downs/blade restraints, controls, doors, and covers as required.
Manage the rotor coast-down safely with bystanders and FOD in mind.
Document any discrepancies and complete the required records.

1 · After landing & shutdown

Follow the POH: allow any required engine cool-down, complete the shutdown checklist (switches, fuel, avionics), and let the rotor stop — using the rotor brake per procedure if equipped. Do not rush the cool-down or shutdown; thermal shock and skipped items cause problems for the next flight.

2 · Park & secure

Secure the helicopter: install blade tie-downs/restraints as required (especially in wind), secure or lock the controls, close and latch doors, fit covers/plugs, and chock/secure as appropriate. In wind, an unsecured rotor blade can sail and be damaged. Leave it the way you would want to find it.

3 · Coast-down, FOD & records

During coast-down keep bystanders clear — a slowing rotor is still a hazard and can droop. Pick up and account for FOD around the aircraft. Finally, document any discrepancy clearly for maintenance, complete the aircraft/flight records your operation requires, and do not leave a known problem unrecorded for the next pilot.

4 · Watch

Curated reference clip — “Robinson R44 Startup and Shutdown Procedure” · Anthelion Helicopters (YouTube), verified via oEmbed. Embedded with the creator’s player; we don’t host or alter it.

5 · Reference sources

Use the authoritative references

📄 Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21) — Postflight 📄 Robinson R44 POH — Normal Procedures (Shutdown & Securing)

Your aircraft: the shutdown, rotor-brake (if equipped), and securing procedure is aircraft-specific — follow the R44 POH Section 4 (Normal Procedures) and any blade-tie-down guidance.

✍️ Fill in for the aircraft you fly your R44 cool-down/shutdown steps, rotor-brake use (if equipped), and blade tie-down/securing procedure — follow the R44 POH and confirm with your CFI.

⚑ FLAG (Walter): the R44 is a VFR-certificated piston helicopter; confirm the aircraft/figures the student actually flies and that all numbers come from the current R44 POH.

Risk management (the “Consider”): the postflight trap is a rushed shutdown (skipped cool-down or checklist items) and leaving the aircraft unsecured or a squawk unrecorded. Follow the shutdown flow, secure the rotor and aircraft against wind, keep bystanders clear during coast-down, and document discrepancies so the next pilot inherits a safe machine.