Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area II, Task D

The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with taxi operations, including runway incursion avoidance.

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Preflight Considerations:
    0:15
    Part 3, Taxiing Considerations:
    0:15
    Part 4, Taxiing Procedures:
    0:15
    Part 5, Taxiing Guided Scenario(s):
    0:20
    Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention-Getter:

  • 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

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Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing Lesson Plan

Materials

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Review the maneuver's common errors and assess the learner's understanding of their mitigations.
  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Preflight Considerations:
    • Use current Chart Supplement information, the published airport diagram, and applicable Notices to Airmen to identify taxi routes, closures, restrictions, construction, and Hot Spots. (CA.II.D.K1)
    • Plan the anticipated taxi route before movement and brief runway crossings, hold-short points, Hot Spots, complex intersections, and locations where additional attention will be required. (CA.II.D.K6a)
  • Part 3, Taxiing Considerations:
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply taxi fundamentals operating practices.
    • Interpret airport markings and signs, airport lighting, and runway status lights relevant to surface movement. (CA.II.D.K3)
    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain visual indicators for wind. (CA.II.D.K4)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain appropriate use of aircraft lighting during ground operations, including when lighting could create a hazard or impair others' vision. (CA.II.D.K5)
    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain night taxi operations, including reduced visual cues and verification of signs, markings, lights, and position. (CA.II.D.K6d)
    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain low-visibility taxi operations, including use of low-visibility taxi charts or routes when published, slower speeds, increased stopping margins, and positive position verification. (CA.II.D.K6e)
  • Part 4, Taxiing Procedures:
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply the complete taxi procedure, including pre-taxi planning, communications, runway entry and crossing, night operations, and low-visibility operations. (CA.II.D.K6)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply taxi checklists.
    • Practice receiving, copying, interpreting, and reading back taxi instructions and clearances; resolve uncertainty before moving. (CA.II.D.K2)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply taxi procedures.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply steering and braking.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply wind impacts on taxi.
    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain radio procedures for towered and nontowered airports. (CA.II.D.K6b)
    • Require an explicit clearance and positive runway identification before entering or crossing a runway. (CA.II.D.K6c)
    • Manage flight-deck activities and distractions by completing setup before movement and stopping the airplane when a task cannot be safely deferred or delegated. (CA.II.D.R1)
    • Use the diagram, signs, markings, heading, and external cues to counter confirmation or expectation bias associated with taxi instructions. (CA.II.D.R2)
    • When the taxi route or departure runway changes, stop or continue only as conditions permit, copy and read back the amendment, rebrief the route and Hot Spots, and reconfigure avionics as necessary. (CA.II.D.R3)
    • Identify runway-incursion threats and apply controls including sterile-aircraft discipline, progressive taxi when needed, positive hold-short compliance, and immediate clarification of uncertainty. (CA.II.D.R4)
  • Part 5, Taxiing Guided Scenario(s):
    • Require the learner to receive and correctly read back taxi clearances or instructions using standard phraseology. (CA.II.D.S1)
    • Require continuous use of the published airport diagram or taxi chart and positive position awareness throughout taxi. (CA.II.D.S2)
    • Have the learner position the flight controls correctly for the existing wind. (CA.II.D.S3)
    • Require completion of the appropriate before-taxi and taxi checklist items. (CA.II.D.S4)
    • Require an immediate brake check after the airplane begins moving. (CA.II.D.S5)
    • Assess positive directional and speed control without excessive braking. (CA.II.D.S6)
    • Require compliance with airport markings, signals, lights, and ATC clearances or instructions. (CA.II.D.S7)
    • Require the airplane to stop in the correct position relative to every applicable hold line. (CA.II.D.S8)
    • Introduce a changed taxi route or runway assignment and a realistic distraction, then assess whether the learner stops when necessary, rebriefs the route, verifies position, and prevents a runway incursion.
  • Part 6, 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.
  • 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) Taxiing Lesson Plan

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 Airmen (NOTAMS) provide regarding taxi operations?
    • Highlight hot spots
  • Provide a simulated taxi clearance that includes turns, crossing/holding short of runways, etc. Simulated 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 taxiway identification and runway identification
  • Discuss airport lighting for night operations
  • Discuss procedures and mitigations during low visibility taxi operations
  • Discuss checklist usage before, during, and after taxiing
  • Discuss distractions, unexpected instructions/changes, expectation bias, and what constitutes a runway incursion (CA.II.D.R4)
  • Related scenarios:
    • Night Operations
  • Aids: None
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL) Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 6 ACS Elements
  • CA.II.D.K1:
    Current airport aeronautical references and information resources such as the Chart Supplement, airport diagram, and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs).
  • CA.II.D.K2:
    Taxi instructions/clearances.
  • CA.II.D.K3:
    Airport markings, signs, and lights.
  • CA.II.D.K4:
    Visual indicators for wind.
  • CA.II.D.K5:
    Aircraft lighting, as appropriate.
  • CA.II.D.K6:
    Procedures for:
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
Skills 8 ACS Elements
  • CA.II.D.S1:
    Receive and correctly read back clearances/instructions, if applicable.
  • CA.II.D.S2:
    Use an airport diagram or taxi chart during taxi, if published, and maintain situational awareness.
  • CA.II.D.S3:
    Position the flight controls for the existing wind, if applicable.
  • CA.II.D.S4:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • CA.II.D.S5:
    Perform a brake check immediately after the airplane begins moving.
  • CA.II.D.S6:
    Maintain positive control of the airplane during ground operations by controlling direction and speed without excessive use of brakes.
  • CA.II.D.S7:
    Comply with airport/taxiway markings, signals, and air traffic control (ATC) clearances and instructions.
  • CA.II.D.S8:
    Position the airplane properly relative to hold lines.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Taxiing reinforces that safe flight depends on disciplined preparation, positive aircraft control, and attention to detail before and after the airborne portion of a flight.
    • Checklists, clear communication, traffic awareness, configuration verification, and early recognition of discrepancies prevent routine ground tasks from creating avoidable hazards.
    • Managing distractions and continuously confirming aircraft position, condition, and readiness turn standard procedures into effective risk controls.
    • Continued practice with Taxiing prepares commercial pilots for busier environments, unfamiliar aircraft, and more complex operations later in training.

  • Closure:

    • 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.
    • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson