Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Spirals Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area IV, Task B
The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Spirals Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with steep spirals.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Steep Spirals:0:10Part 3, Steep Spirals Risk Management:0:20Part 4, Steep Spirals 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:
- Review a low-altitude maneuvering accident involving inadequate wind correction, loss of coordination, distraction, or an unsafe recovery altitude.
- 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 steep spirals supports safe and effective flight operations.
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:
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Basicmed.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance Supplement.
- Clearing Turns Supplement.
- Test-taking Guidance.
- Test Guides.
- The Checkride Supplement.
Instructor Actions
- 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.
- Review the common errors and their associated mitigations with the learner.
- Have the learner explain how to recognize, prevent, and correct each applicable error using aircraft-specific procedures and limitations.
- Use a scenario or observed practice error to verify the learner can select and apply the mitigation.
- 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 (ACS).
- Part 2, Steep Spirals:
- Relate steep spirals to emergency landing procedures and explain how the maneuver supports planning a power-off descent to a selected landing area. (CA.V.B.K1)
- Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain how bank-angle changes maintain a constant radius around a selected reference point. (CA.V.B.K2)
- Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain the effects of wind on ground track and the airplane's relationship to the ground reference. (CA.V.B.K3)
- Clear the area and select an altitude sufficient for at least three 360-degree turns. (CA.V.B.S1) (CA.V.B.S2)
- Establish and maintain a steep spiral around a suitable ground reference without exceeding 60 degrees of bank. (CA.V.B.S3)
- Apply wind-drift correction to maintain a constant-radius ground track, using the steepest bank on the downwind portion without exceeding 60 degrees. (CA.V.B.S4)
- Divide attention among airplane control, traffic avoidance, and ground track while maintaining coordinated flight. (CA.V.B.S5)
- Maintain the specified airspeed within 10 knots, roll out toward the selected object or heading within 10 degrees, and complete the maneuver no lower than 1,500 feet AGL. (CA.V.B.S6)
- Part 3, Steep Spirals Risk Management:
- Manage division of attention between aircraft control and orientation. (CA.V.B.R1)
- Use clearing procedures and an effective visual scan to mitigate collision hazards. (CA.V.B.R2)
- Establish conservative altitude limits and escape options to mitigate stall, spin, and controlled-flight-into-terrain hazards during low-altitude maneuvering. (CA.V.B.R3)
- Manage distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, and disorientation. (CA.V.B.R4)
- Recognize and correct uncoordinated flight. (CA.V.B.R5)
- Anticipate changing wind effects throughout each turn and adjust bank continuously to preserve the ground track. (CA.V.B.R6)
- Remain within airframe and airspeed limitations throughout the maneuver. (CA.V.B.R7)
- Part 4, Steep Spirals Guided Scenario(s):
- Use the guided scenario to have the learner select a reference point, evaluate wind and altitude, plan escape options, and maintain the required ground track and completion altitude.
- Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:
- 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.
- Debrief the student's understanding of knowledge, risk management, and skill elements associated with lost procedures.
- 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) Steep Spirals Lesson Plan Interactive Guided Scenario
Commercial Pilot Airplane Steep Spirals 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 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.
- Review the common errors and their associated mitigations before practice.
- Explain the mitigation for each applicable error and identify how you will apply it during the maneuver.
- During the debrief, identify any errors made and the correction to use on the next attempt.
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Complete initial BasicMed requirements.
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Ask pertinent questions.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
Airman Certification Standards
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Spirals Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with steep spirals
- 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); POH/AFM.
Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
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CA.V.B.K1: Relationship to emergency landing procedures. -
CA.V.B.K2: Maintaining a constant radius about a point. -
CA.V.B.K3: Effects of wind on ground track and relation to a ground reference.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
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CA.V.B.R1: Division of attention between aircraft control and orientation. -
CA.V.B.R2: -
CA.V.B.R3: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). -
CA.V.B.R4: Distractions, improper task management, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. -
CA.V.B.R5: Uncoordinated flight. -
CA.V.B.R6: Effects of wind. -
CA.V.B.R7: Airframe or airspeed limitations.
Skills 6 ACS Elements
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CA.V.B.S1: -
CA.V.B.S2: Select an altitude sufficient to continue through a series of at least three, 360° turns. -
CA.V.B.S3: Establish and maintain a steep spiral, not to exceed 60° angle of bank, to maintain a constant radius about a suitable ground reference point. -
CA.V.B.S4: Apply wind-drift correction to track a constant radius circle around selected reference point with bank not to exceed 60° a steepest point in turn. -
CA.V.B.S5: Divide attention between airplane control, traffic avoidance and the ground track while maintaining coordinated flight. -
CA.V.B.S6: Maintain the specified airspeed, ±10 knots and roll out toward an object or specified heading, ±10°, and complete the maneuver no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL).
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Steep Spirals 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 Steep Spirals provides a foundation for the more precise and complex aircraft-control tasks encountered in later training.
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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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
- To learn more about preparing for the practical test, visit the checkride page.