Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
Lesson Plans

Fundamentals of Instructing:

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• Fundamentals of Instructing:
  • Human Behavior
  • Learning Process
  • Barriers to Learning
  • Critique and Evaluation
  • Effective Communication
  • Planning Instructional Activities
  • Teaching Methods
• See also: CFI to CFI Newsletter Archive

Private Pilot (Airplane) Lesson Plans:

1. Preflight Preparation:

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   • Task A. Pilot Qualifications.
   • Task B. Airworthiness Requirements.
   • Task C. Weather Information.
   • Task D. Cross-Country Flight Planning.
   • Task E. National Airspace System.
   • Task F. Performance and Limitations.
   • Task G. Operation of Systems.
   • Task H. Human Factors.
   • Task I. Water and Seaplane Characteristics, Seaplane Bases, Maritime Rules, and Aids to Marine Navigation (ASES, AMES).

2. Preflight Procedures:

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   • Task A. Preflight Assessment.
   • Task B. Flight Deck Management.
   • Task C. Engine Starting.
   • Task D. Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL).
   • Task E. Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES).
   • Task F. Before Takeoff Check.

3. Airport and Seaplane Base Operations:

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   • Task A. Communications, Light Gun Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems.
   • Task B. Traffic Patterns.

4. Takeoffs, Landing and Go-Arounds:

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   • Task A. Normal Takeoff and Climb.

     • Related: Crosswind Takeoff and Climb
   • Task B. Normal Approach and Landing.

     • Related: Crosswind Approach and Landing
   • Task C. Soft-Field Takeoff and Climb (ASEL).
   • Task D. Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL).
   • Task E. Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb (ASEL, AMEL).
   • Task F. Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL).
   • Task G. Confined Area Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb (ASES, AMES).
   • Task H. Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES).
   • Task I. Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES)
   • Task J. Glassy Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES).
   • Task K. Rough Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES).
   • Task L. Rough Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES).
   • Task M. Forward Slip to a Landing (ASEL, ASES).
   • Task N. Go-Around/Rejected Landing.

5. Performance and Ground Reference Maneuvers:

   • Task A. Steep Turns.
   • Task B. Ground Reference Maneuvers.

6. Navigation:

   • Task A. Pilotage and Dead Reckoning.
   • Task B. Navigation Systems and Radar Services.
   • Task C. Diversions.
   • Task D. Lost Procedures.

7. Slow Flight and Stalls:

   • Task A. Maneuvering During Slow Flight.
   • Task B. Power-Off Stalls.
   • Task C. Power-On Stalls.
   • Task D. Spin Awareness.

8. Basic Instrument Maneuvers:

   • Task A. Straight-and-Level Flight.
   • Task B. Constant Airspeed Climbs.
   • Task C. Constant Airspeed Descents.
   • Task D. Turns to Headings.
   • Task E. Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes.
   • Task F. Radio Communications, Navigation Systems/Facilities, and Radar Services.

9. Emergency Operations:

   • Task A. Emergency Descent.
   • Task B. Emergency Approach and Landing (Simulated) (ASEL, ASES).
   • Task C. Systems and Equipment Malfunction.
   • Task D. Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear.
   • Task E. Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES).
   • Task F. Engine Failure After Lift-Off (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES).
   • Task G. Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES).

10. Multiengine Operations:

    • Task A. Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative (AMEL, AMES).
    • Task B. VMC Demonstration (AMEL, AMES).
    • One Engine Inoperative (Simulated) (solely by Reference to Instruments) During Straight-and-Level Flight and Turns (AMEL, AMES).
    • Task D. Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (by reference to instruments) (AMEL, AMES).

11. Night Operations:

    • Task A. Night Preparation.

12. Postflight Procedures:

    • Task A. After Landing, Parking and Securing (ASEL, AMEL).
    • Task B. Seaplane Post-Landing Procedures (ASES, AMES).

Instrument Rating Airplane Lesson Plans:

1. Preflight Preparation:

   • Task A. Pilot Qualifications.
   • Task B. Weather Information.
   • Task C. Cross-Country Flight Planning.

2. Preflight Procedures:

   • Task A. Aircraft Systems Related to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Operations.
   • Task B. Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment.
   • Task C. Instrument Flight Deck Check.

3. Air Traffic Control (ATC) Clearances and Procedures:

   • Task A. Instrument Flight.
   • Task B. Holding Procedures.

4. Flight by Reference to Instruments:

   • Task A. Instrument Flight.
   • Task B. Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes.

5. Navigation Systems:

   • Task A. Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Systems and DME Arcs.
   • Task B. Departure, En route, and Arrival Operations.

6. Instrument Approach Procedures:

   • Task A. Nonprecision Approach.
   • Task B. Precision Approach.
   • Task C. Missed Approach.
   • Task D. Circling Approach.
   • Task E. Landing from an Instrument Approach.

7. Emergency Operations:

   • Task A. Loss of Communications.
   • Task B. One engine inoperative (Simulated) during straight-and-level flight and turns (AMEL, AMES).
   • Task C. Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES).
   • Task D. Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators.

8. Postflight Procedures:

   • Task A. Checking Instruments and Equipment.

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Airman Certification Standards:

1. Preflight Preparation:

   • Task A. Pilot Qualifications.
   • Task B. Airworthiness Requirements
   • Task C. Weather Information
   • Task E. National Airspace System
   • Task F. Performance and Limitations
   • Task G. Operation of Systems
   • Task H. Human Factors
   • Task I. Water and Seaplane Characteristics, Seaplane Bases, Maritime Rules, and Aids to Marine Navigation (ASES, AMES)

2. Preflight Procedures:

   • Task A. Preflight Assessment
   • Task B. Flight Deck Management.
   • Task C. Engine Starting.
   • Task D. Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL).
   • Task E. Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES).
   • Task F. Before Takeoff Check.

3. Airport and Seaplane Base Operations:

   .

   • Task A. Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems.

4. Performance Maneuvers & Ground Reference Maneuvers:

   .

   • Task A. Steep Turns.
   • Task B. Traffic Patterns.

5. Takeoffs, Landings and Go-Arounds:

   .

   • Task A. Normal Takeoff and Climb.
   • Task B. Normal Approach and Landing.
   • Task C. Soft-Field Takeoff and Climb (ASEL).
   • Task D. Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL).
   • Task E. Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb (ASEL, AMEL).
   • Task F. Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL).
   • Task G. Confined Area Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb (ASES, AMES).
   • Task H. Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES).
   • Task I. Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES).
   • Task J. Glassy Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES).
   • Task K. Rough Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES).
   • Task L. Rough Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES).
   • Task M. Power-Off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing (ASEL, ASES).
   • Task N. Go-Around/Rejected Landing.

6. Performance Maneuvers & Ground Reference Maneuvers:

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   • Task A. Steep Turns.
   • Task B. Steep Spirals (ASEL, ASES).
   • Task C. Chandelles (ASEL, ASES).
   • Task D. Lazy Eights (ASEL, ASES).
   • Task E. Eights on Pylons (ASEL, ASES).

7. Navigation:

   .

   • Task A. Pilotage and Dead Reckoning.
   • Task B. Navigation Systems and Radar Services.
   • Task C. Diversion.
   • Task D. Lost Procedures.

8. Slow Flight and Stalls:

   .

   • Task A. Maneuvering During Slow Flight.
   • Task B. Power-Off Stalls.
   • Task B. Power-On Stalls.
   • Task D. Accelerated Stalls.
   • Task E. Spin Awareness.

9. High-Altitude Operations:

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   • Task A. Supplemental Oxygen.
   • Task B. Pressurization.

10. Emergency Operations:

    .

    • Task A. Emergency Descent.
    • Task B. Emergency Approach and Landing (Simulated) (ASEL, ASES).
    • Task C. Systems and Equipment Malfunctions.
    • Task D. Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear.
    • Task E. Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES).
    • Task F. Engine Failure After Lift-Off (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES).
    • Task G. Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES).

11. Multiengine Operations:

    .

    • Task A. Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative (AMEL, AMES).
    • Task B. VMC Demonstration (AMEL, AMES).
    • Task C. One Engine Inoperative (Simulated) (solely by Reference to Instruments) During Straight-and-Level Flight and Turns (AMEL, AMES) Airman Certification Standards.
    • Task D. Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (by reference to instruments) (AMEL, AMES).

12. Postflight Procedures:

    .

    • Task A. After Landing, Parking and Securing (ASEL, AMEL).
    • Task B. Seaplane Post-Landing Procedures (ASES, AMES).

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Lesson Plans:

1. Regulations:

   • Task A. General Regulations
   • Task B. Operating Rules
   • Task C. Remote Pilot Certification with an sUAS Rating
   • Task D. Waivers
   • Task E. Operations Over People
   • Task F. Remote Identification (RID)

2. Airspace Classification and Operating Requirements:

   • Task A. Airspace Classification
   • Task B. Airspace Operating Requirements

3. Weather:

   • Task A. Sources of Weather
   • Task B. Effects of Weather on Performance

4. Loading and Performance:

   • Task A. Loading and Performance

5. Operations:

   • Task A. Radio Communications Procedures
   • Task B. Airport Operations
   • Task C. Emergency Procedures
   • Task D. Aeronautical Decision-Making
   • Task E. Physiology
   • Task F. Maintenance and Inspection Procedures

Conclusion:

• Hard copies of the ACS and Oral Exam Guides are available on Amazon.
• Digital copies of the ACS are available on the FAA's website at https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs/.
• The FAA provides guidance for test taking at: https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/training/pilot_tips/
• Test guides can be found on the FAA's website at: http://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/test_guides/media/faa-g-8082-17i.pdf
• To learn more about earning the practical test, visit the checkride page

References:

• AOPA - Airspace For Everyone