Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Cross Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area I, Task D
The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with cross-country flights and VFR flight planning.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Cross-Country Preparation:0:45Part 3, Flight Planning Factors:0:10Part 4, Completing a Flight Plan:0:10Part 5, Contingencies:0:15Part 6, Cross-Country Flight Planning Guided Scenario(s):0:20Part 7, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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Attention Getter:
- Research and present 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:
- Flight planning is the process in which a pilot prepares for an upcoming flight.
- While often associated with completing a navigation log for a cross-country, flight planning is a process that must be conducted even for local flights in the traffic pattern.
- It is a descriptive process therefore involving more than one type of navigation.
- If no wind information is available, plan using statistical winds, make them headwinds to be conservative in your fuel planning.
- Pilots will chose a route of flight and select cruise altitude based on a variety of factors.
- Flight planning is the process in which a pilot prepares for an upcoming flight.
Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Pilot Operating Handbook.
- Electronic Flight Bag.
- Internet connection (computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.).
- Notices to Airman (NOTAMs).
- Phone.
- Access to FSS.
- Current sectional chart.
- Current Chart Supplemental, U.S.
- Navigation flight log.
- Flight Plan form (FAA Form 7233-4).
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- Instructor endorsement log.
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Reference Materials:
- Flight Planning Supplement.
- Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance Supplement.
- Aviation Fuel Planning Supplement.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Aeronautical Decision Making Supplement.
- Diversions Supplement.
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- National Airspace System Supplement.
- Preflight Briefing Supplement.
- Performance Calculations Supplement.
- Notice to Airmen Supplement.
- Chart Supplement U S Supplement
- Use of Electronic Flight Bags Supplement.
- Ground Procedures Supplement.
- VFR and IFR Flight Plans Supplement.
- Intercept Procedures Supplement.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.
- Chart Supplements.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Notams.
Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Part 2, Cross-Country Preparation:
- Introduce Route planning, including consideration of different classes and special use airspace (SUA) and selection of appropriate and available navigation/communication systems and facilities.
- Cross-Country Flight Planning.
- Review weather/self-briefing.
- Performance Calculations.
- Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs).
- Chart Supplement U.S..
- Introduce Fuel planning.
- Introduce obstructions to flight.
- Introduce use of an electronic flight bag.
- Part 3, Flight Planning Factors:
- Discuss fitness for flight.
- Discuss aircraft preflight.
- Discuss hazardous attitudes.
- Part 4, Completing a Flight Plan:
- Introduce Elements of a VFR flight plan.
- Introduce filing, activating, and closing a VFR flight plan.
- Part 5, Contingencies:
- Introduce intercept procedures.
- Introduce diversions (discussed fully in diversion lesson plan).
- Part 6, Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead a guided scenarios> cross-country Flight planning guided scenario.
- Part 7, Lesson Conclusion:
- 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.
Guided Scenario(s)
- Complete a flight log.
- Related scenarios:
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.
Airman Certification Standards
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with cross-country flights and VFR flight planning.
- Note: Preparation, presentation, and explanation of a computer-generated flight plan is an acceptable option.
- References: 14 CFR part 91; AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); NOTAMs; VFR Navigation Charts.
Knowledge 6 ACS Elements
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CA.I.D.K1: Route planning, including consideration of different classes and special use airspace (SUA) and selection of appropriate and available navigation/communication systems and facilities.-
CA.I.D.K1a: Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
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CA.I.D.K2: Altitude selection accounting for terrain and obstacles, glide distance of airplane, VFR cruising altitudes, and effect of wind. -
CA.I.D.K3: Calculating:-
CA.I.D.K3a: Time, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed, and groundspeed. -
CA.I.D.K3b: Estimated time of arrival, including conversion to universal coordinated time (UTC). -
CA.I.D.K3c: Fuel requirements, including reserve.
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CA.I.D.K4: Elements of a VFR flight plan. -
CA.I.D.K5: Procedures for filing, activating, and closing a VFR flight plan. -
CA.I.D.K6: Inflight intercept procedures.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
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CA.I.D.R1: -
CA.I.D.R2: -
CA.I.D.R3: Environment (e.g., weather, airports, airspace, terrain, obstacles). -
CA.I.D.R4: External pressures. -
CA.I.D.R5: Limitations of air traffic control (ATC) services. -
CA.I.D.R6: -
CA.I.D.R7: Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
Skills 5 ACS Elements
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CA.I.D.S1: Prepare, present, and explain a cross-country flight plan assigned by the evaluator, including a risk analysis based on real-time weather, to the first fuel stop. -
CA.I.D.S2: Apply pertinent information from appropriate and current aeronautical charts, Chart Supplements; Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) relative to airport, runway and taxiway closures; and other flight publications. -
CA.I.D.S4: Recalculate fuel reserves based on a scenario provided by the evaluator. -
CA.I.D.S5: Use an electronic flight bag (EFB), if applicable.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Cross Country Flight Planning connects careful preflight planning with the continuous awareness needed to keep the aircraft, route, fuel, weather, and available alternatives aligned.
- Using multiple navigation references and verifying position, performance, and changing conditions helps pilots detect errors before they narrow available options.
- Timely communication, workload management, and a willingness to revise the plan turn navigation knowledge into practical aeronautical decision-making.
- Further practice with Cross Country Flight Planning prepares commercial pilots for longer, less familiar, and more operationally complex flights.
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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.