Multi-Engine Helicopter IMC and VMC Pilot Training

Learning Outcomes

• Apply multi-engine helicopter aerodynamics and performance principles during normal and engine-out operations.
• Demonstrate precision instrument flight techniques, including approaches, holds, and missed approaches in IMC.
• Analyze weather conditions and aeronautical information to make sound go/no-go decisions.
• Evaluate emergency scenarios and execute appropriate engine-out procedures, including asymmetric thrust management.
• Implement crew resource management (CRM) principles to enhance safety and communication in multi-crew operations.
• Design flight plans and conduct pre-flight inspections in compliance with SACAA regulations and company standard operating procedures.

Target Audience

This course is designed for licensed helicopter pilots seeking to add a multi-engine instrument rating (ME IR) to their qualifications. It is ideal for commercial pilots, charter operators, and corporate flight departments requiring multi-engine IMC capability.

Prerequisites

Valid South African Commercial Pilot License (Helicopter) with a current Class 1 Medical Certificate. Single-engine instrument rating (IF) preferred but not mandatory.

Course Outline

Practicals

Overview

Practical sessions in a multi-engine helicopter simulator or aircraft reinforce the theoretical concepts. Learners practice engine failure recognition, asymmetric thrust control, and instrument procedures in realistic scenarios to build proficiency and confidence.

Practical Activities

• Engine Failure Recognition and Asymmetric Thrust Control — Learner experiences simulated engine failures at various phases of flight and practices immediate action drills and control with asymmetric thrust. (2h)
• Instrument Approaches with One Engine Inoperative — Learner flies precision and non-precision instrument approaches in IMC with one engine simulated inoperative, including missed approach. (2h)
• Partial Panel and Unusual Attitude Recovery — Learner practices partial panel flying and recovers from unusual attitudes in IMC with simulated instrument failures. (2h)
• Scenario-Based Multi-Engine IMC Flight — Learner conducts a complete IFR flight scenario including engine failure, navigation failure, and diversion, demonstrating CRM. (2h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total

Component	Out of	Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored)	100%	30%
Daily Average (multiple choice)	100%	20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice)	100%	50%
Final Total	—	100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

How it works

• Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
• Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
• You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
• If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.

Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates	Discount
5	3% off
10	6% off
15	9% off
20	12% off
25	15% off
30	18% off
50	30% off
75	35% off
100	40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.