Commercial Pilot (Airplane)
Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan
The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with taxiing and Sailing and sailing operations, including runway incursion avoidance.
Attention
Attention
- 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
Motivator
Motivator
- Having just started the aircraft and completed the required checklists, the pilot is ready to put the aircraft in motion
- Taxiing is that movement of an aircraft while on the ground, under its own power
- Taxiing is accomplished primarily through the use of the rudder and brakes however, pilots are also required to mitigate the impacts of wind
- Since movement on an airport's surface involves coordination, clearances requirements/coordination are required to operate
- With the basics in mind, pilots execute Taxi Procedures as they move about an airport's surface area
- While the movement of the aircraft is our primary concern, there remain some checklist items we must accomplish to prepare/close-out an operation
- Finally, while taxiing seems straight forward, it can also be an art, with best practices that can help pilots
- Once your engine has started you must be aware of what you're doing and keep a visual scan, your "flight" has begun
- It may be required initially to tow the aircraft before engines are started to be safe
Overview
Overview
Topic:
Time:
Attention/Motivator:
0:05
Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
0:05
Part 2, Preflight Considerations:
0:15
Part 3, Taxiing & Sailing Considerations:
0:15
Part 4, Taxiing & Sailing Procedures:
0:15
Part 5, Taxiing & Sailing Guided Scenario:
0:20
Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:
0:05
Remotivation/Closure:
0:05
Total Ground Time:
1:25
Materials
Materials
- Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Chart Supplement U.S.
- Airport Diagram.
- Internet-enabled device (to review NOTAMS).
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
- Optional Materials:
Instructor Actions
Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention-getter and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Part 2, Preflight Considerations:
- Review Chart Supplement, U.S., as it pertains to taxiing
- Review Airport Diagrams, as it pertains to taxiing
- Review Notice to Airman, as it pertains to taxiing
- Part 3, Taxiing & Sailing Considerations:
- Review visual indicators for wind
- Review aircraft lighting, as it pertains to taxiing
- Review visual scanning and collision avoidance
- Discuss taxi checklists
- Discuss clearance requirements
- Discuss taxi procedures
- Discuss steering and braking
- Discuss wind impacts on taxi
- Review radio procedures for towered and non-towered airports
- Review confirmation/expectation bias
- Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
- Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
Taxiing Guided Scenario(s)
Taxiing Guided Scenario(s)
- Have student find an airport diagram of a local airport
- Review the airport diagram symbology
- What information does the Chart Supplement provide regarding taxi operations?
- What information do Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMS) provide regarding taxi operations?
- Highlight hot spots
- Provide a simulated taxi clearance that includes turns, crossing/holding short of runways, etc. Simulatec taxi clearance should cover taxiing to an active runway as well as from (post-landing)
- What radio calls are required to comply with the air traffic control clearance?
- Provide environmentals such as wind
- How would a pilot determine wind direction and speed while on the airport, utilizing visual and non-visual means?
- Who has the right-of-way at an intersection (towered/non-towered airports)
- How will flight controls change in turns relative to the environmentals provided?
- Have the student describe the anticipated markings and signs related to taxiiway identification and runway identification
- Discuss airport lighting for night operations
- Discuss procedures and mitigations during low visibility taxi operations
- Discuss checklist useage before, during, and after taxiing
- Discuss distractions, unexpected instructions/changes, expectation bias, and what constitutes a runway incursion
- Related scenarios:
- Night Operations
- Aids: None
Student Actions
Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Complete or review AOPA's Online Learning Course - Runway Safety
- 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) Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES) Airman Certification Standards
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES) Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with taxiing and Sailing and sailing operations, including runway incursion avoidance
- References: AC 91-73; AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-23 (Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); POH/AFM
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing and Sailing Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:-
CA.II.E.K1:
Airport information resources, including Chart Supplements, Airport diagram, and appropriate references. -
CA.II.E.K2:
Taxi instructions/clearances. -
CA.II.E.K3:
Airport/seaplane base markings, signs, and lights. -
CA.II.E.K4:
Visual indicators for wind. -
CA.II.E.K5:
Airplane lighting. -
CA.II.E.K6:
Procedures for:-
CA.II.E.K6a:
Appropriate flight deck activities during taxiing or sailing. -
CA.II.E.K6b:
Radio communications at towered and nontowered seaplane bases.
-
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing and Sailing Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:-
CA.II.E.R1:
Activities and distractions. -
CA.II.E.R2:
Porpoising and skipping. -
CA.II.E.R3:
Low visibility taxi and sailing operations. -
CA.II.E.R4:
Other aircraft, vessels, and hazards.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing and Sailing Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:-
CA.II.E.S1:
Receive and correctly read back clearances/instructions, if applicable. -
CA.II.E.S2:
Use an Airport diagram or taxi chart during taxi, if published. -
CA.II.E.S3:
Comply with seaplane base/airport/taxiway markings, signals, and signs. -
CA.II.E.S4:
Depart the dock/mooring buoy or beach/ramp in a safe manner, considering wind, current, traffic, and hazards. -
CA.II.E.S5:
Complete the appropriate checklist(s). -
CA.II.E.S6:
Position the flight controls, flaps, doors, water rudders, and power correctly for the existing conditions to follow the desired course while sailing and to prevent or correct for porpoising and skipping during step taxi. -
CA.II.E.S7:
Exhibit procedures for steering and maneuvering while maintaining proper situational awareness and desired orientation, path, and position while taxiing using idle, plow, or step taxi technique, as appropriate. -
CA.II.E.S8:
Plan and follow the most favorable taxi or sailing course for current conditions. -
CA.II.E.S9:
Abide by right-of-way rules, maintain positive airplane control, proper speed, and separation between other aircraft, vessels, and persons. -
CA.II.E.S10:
Comply with applicable taxi elements in Task D if the practical test is conducted in an amphibious airplane.
Re-Motivation
Re-Motivation
Closure
Closure
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson
- Assign study materials for the next lesson
Reference Materials
Reference Materials
- Aircraft Categories and Classes Supplement.
- Pilot Certificates and Ratings Supplement.
- Pilot Logbooks Supplement.
- 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.
- The FAA provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
- To learn more about earning the practical test, visit the checkride page.