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.
Introduction
-
Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Preflight Considerations:0:15Part 3, Taxiing Considerations:0:15Part 4, Taxiing Procedures:0:15Part 5, Taxiing Guided Scenario(s):0:20Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
-
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
-
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
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:
-
Reference Materials:
- Taxiing Supplement.
- Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance Supplement.
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Chart Supplement U S Supplement
- Airport Diagram Supplement.
- Notice to Airmen Supplement.
- Airport Markings and Signs Supplement.
- Airport Lighting Supplement.
- Aircraft Lighting Supplement.
- Radio Communications Supplement.
- Aeronautical Decision Making Supplement.
- AOPA's Online Learning Course - Runway Safety.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Chart Supplements.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Flight Deck Management Supplement.
- Test-taking Guidance.
- Test Guides.
- The Checkride Supplement.
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, Preflight Considerations:
- Review Chart Supplement, U.S., as it pertains to taxiing
- Review Airport Diagrams, as it pertains to taxiing, including hot spots
- Review Notice to Airman, as it pertains to taxiing
- Part 3, Taxiing Considerations:
- Discuss taxi fundamentals operating practices.
- Review taxiing operations at night.
- Review low visibility taxi operations
- Review airport markings, signs, airport lighting, including runway status lighting systems.
- Review visual indicators for wind.
- Review aircraft lighting, as it pertains to taxiing
- Part 4, Taxiing Procedures:
- 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.
- Part 5, Taxiing Guided Scenario(s).
- 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 instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
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
- Related scenarios:
- Night Operations
- Aids: None
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
Airman Certification Standards
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL) Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with taxi 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-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); POH/AFM.
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 Air Missions (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:-
CA.II.D.K6a: Appropriate flight deck activities prior to taxi, including route planning and identifying the location of Hot Spots. -
CA.II.D.K6b: Radio communications at towered and nontowered airports. -
CA.II.D.K6c: Entering or crossing runways. -
CA.II.D.K6d: Night taxi operations. -
CA.II.D.K6e: Low visibility taxi operations.
-
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
-
CA.II.D.R1: -
CA.II.D.R2: Confirmation or expectation bias as related to taxi instructions. -
CA.II.D.R3: A taxi route or departure runway change. -
CA.II.D.R4:
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.
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 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