Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems & Radar Services Lesson Plan
The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with navigation systems and radar services.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems & Radar Services Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems & Radar Services Lesson Plan Introduction
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Schedule:
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Navigation Systems and Radar Services:0:10Part 3, Navigation Systems and Radar Services Risk Management:0:20Part 4, Navigation Systems and Radar Services Guided Scenario(s):0:20Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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Attention Getter:
- Discuss motivation to become an instrument rated pilot.
- Relate similar personal experiences to the student to establish rapport.
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Motivator:
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Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems & Radar Services Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems & Radar Services Lesson Plan Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) or an internet-enabled device to access FARs.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
- Instructor endorsement log.
- Pilot Logbook.
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Reference Materials:
- Aircraft Categories and Classes Supplement.
- Pilot Certificates and Ratings Supplement.
- Pilot Logbooks Supplement.
- Medical Certificate Supplement.
- Currency Supplement.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Aeronautical Decision-Making Supplement.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 61.
- Advisory Circular 68-1.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Airman Certification Standards:
- 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.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems & Radar Services Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems & Radar Services Lesson Plan Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
- If not previously discussed, provide expectations on time to train, ground instruction vs. flight instruction, and instructor/student availability.
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention-getter and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Explain that navigation systems and radar services support situational awareness but require proper interpretation and management.
- Set expectations for maintaining aircraft control while managing avionics and external services.
- Part 2, Navigation Systems and Radar Services:
- Baseline the discussion by reviewing traditional navigation methods (pilotage and dead reckoning) as a foundation.
- Introduce ground-based navigation systems (e.g., VOR), including identification, orientation, course determination, and signal integrity.
- Introduce satellite-based navigation systems (e.g., GPS), including database use, RAIM concepts, and equipment limitations.
- Discuss transponder operation (Modes A, C, and S) and ADS-B functionality and requirements.
- Introduce radar services available to VFR aircraft, including traffic advisories, flight following, and workload limitations of ATC.
- Discuss proper communication procedures when requesting and using radar services.
- Demonstrate how to determine aircraft position using onboard navigation systems.
- Demonstrate intercepting and tracking a course, radial, or bearing.
- Discuss recognition of waypoint or station passage using navigation indications.
- Discuss recognition of signal loss or interference and appropriate corrective actions.
- Discuss risks associated with distractions, task prioritization, and loss of situational awareness.
- Discuss risks associated with overreliance on automation and failure to monitor system accuracy.
- Discuss limitations of navigation systems, including outages, database errors, and equipment failures.
- Discuss use of electronic flight bags (EFBs) and associated risks and benefits.
- Emphasize ACS skill flow: use navigation systems effectively, determine position, track courses, recognize failures, and communicate appropriately.
- Question the student on when to rely on automation versus reverting to basic navigation techniques.
- Part 3, Navigation Systems and Radar Services Risk Management:
- Part 4, Navigation Systems and Radar Services Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead a guided scenario.
- Present a realistic en route navigation scenario requiring use of GPS, VOR, and radar services.
- Require the student to determine position using multiple navigation sources.
- Have the student intercept and track a course while maintaining altitude and heading tolerances.
- Require the student to request and use radar services appropriately.
- Introduce a simulated navigation failure (e.g., GPS outage) and require the student to transition to alternate methods.
- Challenge the student to identify and mitigate risks associated with automation, distractions, and loss of situational awareness.
- Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:
- Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
- Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
- Debrief the student's understanding of knowledge, risk management, and skill elements associated with navigation systems and radar services.
- Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems & Radar Services Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems & Radar Services Lesson Plan Guided Scenario(s)
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems & Radar Services Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems & Radar Services Lesson Plan Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Register for the WINGS program, if not done so already.
- Complete initial BasicMed requirements.
- Complete a student pilot certificate application through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website or by paper using FAA form 8710-1.
- Complete an electronic application for an FAA Medical Clearance, Medical Certificate, through the FAA's MedXPress system.
- Complete or review AOPA's Online Learning Course - Transitioning to Other Airplanes.
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Ask pertinent questions.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems & Radar Services Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems & Radar Services Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with navigation systems and radar services
- Note: The evaluator should reference the manufacturer's equipment supplement(s) as necessary for appropriate limitations, procedures, etc.
- References: AC 91-78; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge)
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:-
CA.VI.B.K1:
Ground-based navigation (identification, orientation, course determination, equipment, tests, regulations, interference, appropriate use of navigation data, and signal integrity). -
CA.VI.B.K2:
Satellite-based navigation (e.g., equipment, regulations, authorized use of databases, and Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM)). -
CA.VI.B.K3:
Radar assistance to visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft (e.g., operations, equipment, available services, traffic advisories). -
CA.VI.B.K4:
Transponder (Mode(s) A, C, and S) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B).
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:-
CA.VI.B.R1:
Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems. -
CA.VI.B.R2:
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. -
CA.VI.B.R3:
Limitations of the navigation system in use. -
CA.VI.B.R4:
Loss of a navigation signal. -
CA.VI.B.R5:
Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:-
CA.VI.B.S1:
Use an airborne electronic navigation system. -
CA.VI.B.S2:
Determine the airplane's position using the navigation system. -
CA.VI.B.S3:
Intercept and track a given course, radial, or bearing. -
CA.VI.B.S4:
Recognize and describe the indication of station or waypoint passage. -
CA.VI.B.S5:
Recognize signal loss or interference and take appropriate action, if applicable. -
CA.VI.B.S6:
Use proper communication procedures when utilizing radar services. -
CA.VI.B.S7:
Maintain the selected altitude ±100 feet and heading ±10°.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems & Radar Services Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Navigation Systems & Radar Services Lesson Plan Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- With a foundation on the requirements to meet certification standards, students can envision a path to certification completion.
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Closure:
- Inform students that this lesson will serve as a starting point for the next lesson.
- Advise the student to register for the WINGS program if they have not already done so.
- Advise the student to complete BasicMed if they have not already done so.
- Assign study materials for the next lesson.
- The FAA provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
- To learn more about earning the practical test, visit the checkride page.