Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Eights On Pylons Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area IV, Task E
The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Eights on Pylons Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with eights on pylons.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Eights on Pylons:0:15Part 3, Eights on Pylons Risk Management:0:20Part 4, Eights on Pylons Guided Scenario(s):0:20Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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Attention Getter:
- Research and present a mishap case study:
- Ask the learner to describe prior knowledge or experience related to eights on pylons.
- Discuss how the initial conditions developed into an incident/accident/mishap
- Relate similar personal experiences of the same type of incident/accident/mishap
- Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario
- Research and present a mishap case study:
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Motivator:
- Explain how proficiency in eights on pylons supports safe and effective flight operations.
Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Pilot Operating Handbook
- Weight & Balance Form Template
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
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Reference Materials:
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Aerodynamics and Performance Supplement.
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)'s Online Learning Course - Essential Aerodynamics.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Ground Reference Maneuvers Supplement.
- Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance Supplement.
- Clearing Turns Supplement.
Instructor Actions
- Review the maneuver's common errors and assess the learner's understanding of their mitigations.
- Review Eights on Pylons common errors and mitigations.
- Use the guidance appropriate to the aircraft and visual or instrument flight conditions.
- Review the supporting-topic common errors and assess the learner's understanding of their mitigations.
- Review Clearing Turns common errors and mitigations.
- Apply the guidance appropriate to the aircraft and visual or instrument flight conditions.
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards (ACS).
- Part 2, Eights on Pylons:
- Explain the purpose of eights on pylons. (CA.V.E.K1)
- Develop intuitive airplane control by maintaining a visual reference on successive pylons.
- Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain the aerodynamics of eights on pylons, including coordinated and uncoordinated flight. (CA.V.E.K2)
- Determine pivotal altitude and explain how groundspeed changes affect it. (CA.V.E.K3)
- Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain how wind affects ground track, pivotal altitude, and bank-angle requirements throughout the maneuver. (CA.V.E.K4)
- Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply the phases of the maneuver from entry around the first pylon, transition between pylons, and recovery from the second pylon. (CA.V.E.K5)
- Clear the area, determine approximate pivotal altitude, and select pylons that permit straight-and-level flight between them. (CA.V.E.S1) (CA.V.E.S2) (CA.V.E.S3)
- Enter in the correct direction and position at an appropriate altitude and airspeed, then establish the bank required by the conditions without exceeding 40 degrees. (CA.V.E.S4) (CA.V.E.S5)
- Apply smooth, continuous corrections to keep the line-of-sight reference on each pylon while dividing attention between coordinated control and outside references. (CA.V.E.S6) (CA.V.E.S7)
- Maintain pylon position using the appropriate pivotal altitude while avoiding slips and skids. (CA.V.E.S8)
- Explain the purpose of eights on pylons. (CA.V.E.K1)
- Part 3, Eights on Pylons Risk Management:
- Manage division of attention between aircraft control, orientation, and the pylons. (CA.V.E.R1)
- Use clearing procedures and continuous visual scanning to mitigate collision hazards. (CA.V.E.R2)
- Use conservative altitude and escape criteria to mitigate stall, spin, and controlled-flight-into-terrain hazards. (CA.V.E.R3)
- Manage distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, and disorientation. (CA.V.E.R4)
- Recognize and correct uncoordinated flight. (CA.V.E.R5)
- Manage energy as groundspeed, pivotal altitude, and bank requirements change. (CA.V.E.R6)
- Maintain suitable emergency-landing options throughout the low-altitude maneuver. (CA.V.E.R7)
- Part 4, Eights on Pylons Guided Scenario(s):
- Use the guided scenario to have the learner select pylons, calculate pivotal altitude, account for wind, manage low-altitude risks, and evaluate coordination and line-of-sight control.
- Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply the possible differences between calculated performance and actual performance.
- Tie lesson back to previous lessons to reinforce past experiences (law of readiness).
- Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
- Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
- Update the instructor log and student progress. Select the student and sign off completed objectives. If the student does not have a connected account, record the update manually in the instructor log and student training record.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Eights On Pylons Lesson Plan Interactive Guided Scenario
Commercial Pilot Airplane Eights On Pylons Guided Flight
Work through one integrated 60-decision guided scenario combining 4 linked lesson topics into a comprehensive training exercise.
Decision 1
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Scenario Complete
Student Actions
- Review the maneuver's common errors and explain how to prevent and correct each applicable error.
- Review Eights on Pylons common errors and mitigations.
- Use the guidance appropriate to the aircraft and visual or instrument flight conditions.
- Review the supporting-topic common errors and explain how you will prevent and correct each applicable error.
- Review Clearing Turns common errors and mitigations.
- Apply the guidance appropriate to the aircraft and visual or instrument flight conditions.
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Find all limitations in the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH).
- Complete or review AOPA's Online Learning Course - Essential Aerodynamics.
- Ask pertinent questions.
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
Airman Certification Standards
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Eights On Pylons Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with eights on pylons
- Note: See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task
- References: FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge)
Knowledge 5 ACS Elements
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CA.V.E.K1: -
CA.V.E.K2: Aerodynamics associated with the eights on pylons, including coordinated and uncoordinated flight. -
CA.V.E.K3: -
CA.V.E.K4: Effect of wind on ground track. -
CA.V.E.K5: Phases of the eights on pylons maneuver from entry to recovery.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
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CA.V.E.R1: Division of attention between aircraft control and orientation. -
CA.V.E.R2: -
CA.V.E.R3: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). -
CA.V.E.R4: Distractions, improper task management, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. -
CA.V.E.R5: Uncoordinated flight. -
CA.V.E.R6: Energy Management. -
CA.V.E.R7: Emergency landing considerations.
Skills 8 ACS Elements
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CA.V.E.S1: -
CA.V.E.S2: Determine the approximate pivotal altitude. -
CA.V.E.S3: Select suitable pylons that will permits straight-and-level flight between the pylons. -
CA.V.E.S4: -
CA.V.E.S5: Establish the correct bank angle for the conditions, not to exceed 40°. -
CA.V.E.S6: Apply smooth and continuous corrections so that the line-of-sight reference line remains on the pylon. -
CA.V.E.S7: Divide attention between accurate, coordinated airplane control and outside visual references. -
CA.V.E.S8: Maintain pylon position using appropriate pivotal altitude, avoiding slips and skids.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Eights on Pylons strengthens the coordination, energy awareness, and precise control needed to keep the airplane within safe aerodynamic limits.
- Recognizing changes in angle of attack, load factor, control effectiveness, wind drift, and developing errors allows pilots to correct before safety margins disappear.
- Structured practice builds visual awareness, aircraft feel, checklist discipline, and the judgment required to discontinue or recover when a maneuver becomes unstable.
- Mastery of Eights on Pylons provides a foundation for the more precise and complex aircraft-control tasks encountered in later training.
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Closure:
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson
- Assign study materials for the next lesson