Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan
The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with steep turns.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan Introduction
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Attention Getter:
- Research a mishap case study:
- 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.
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Motivator:
- Steep turns develop a pilot's skill in flight control smoothness and coordination during high angles of banks, an awareness of the airplane's orientation to outside references, division of attention between flight control applications, and the constant need to scan for hazards and other traffic in the area
- Maximum performance turns are defined as using the fastest rate of turn and shortest radius
- These turns will cause a much higher stalling speed
- Limiting load factor determines the maximum bank without stalling
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Pilot Information/Operating Handbook.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- Instructor endorsement log.
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Reference Materials:
- 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) Steep Turns Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention-getter and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Introduce steep turns and the situations in which steep turns would be performed.
- Part 2, Steep Turns Performance:
- Demonstrate a maneuvering speed calculation for several different variables
- Discuss situations that would result in changes in maneuvering speed
- Discuss the risk of high angle of bank turns
- Discuss load factor
- Discuss uncoordinate flight and risk of spins
- Discuss accelerated stalls
- Relate risk back to situations in which steep turns would be performed
- Discuss the relationship between rate and radius of turn
- Demonstrate a maneuvering speed calculation for several different variables
- Part 3, Steep Turn Procedure:
- Discuss the steep turns procedure.
- Part 4, Guided Scenario:
- Part 5, Conclude Lesson:
- Relate lesson to power-on stalls.
- Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
- Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
- Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan Guided Scenario(s)
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Ask pertinent questions
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Airman Certification Standards:
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with steep turns
- 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
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:-
CA.V.B.K1:
How to conduct a proper steep turn. -
CA.V.B.K2:
Aerodynamics associated with steep turns, including:-
CA.V.B.K2a:
Maintaining coordinated flight. -
CA.V.B.K2b:
Overbanking tendencies. -
CA.V.B.K2c:
Maneuvering speed, including the impact of weight changes. -
CA.V.B.K2d:
Load factor and accelerated stalls. -
CA.V.B.K2e:
Rate and radius of turn.
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Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:-
CA.V.A.R1:
Division of attention between aircraft control and orientation. -
CA.V.A.R2:
Collision hazards. -
CA.V.A.R3:
Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). -
CA.V.A.R4:
Distractions, improper task management, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. -
CA.V.A.R5:
Uncoordinated flight.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:-
CA.V.A.S1:
Clear the area. -
CA.V.A.S2:
Establish the manufacturer's recommended airspeed; or if one is not available, an airspeed not to exceed maneuvering speed (VA). -
CA.V.A.S3:
Roll into a coordinated 360° steep turn with approximately a 50° bank. -
CA.V.A.S4:
Perform the Task in the opposite direction. -
CA.V.A.S5:
Maintain the entry altitude ±100 feet, airspeed ±10 knots, bank ±5°, and roll out on the entry heading ±10°.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
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Closure:
- The FAA provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
- To learn more about earning the practical test, visit the checkride page.
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
- Assign study materials for the next lesson.