Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Confined Area Approach & Landing Lesson Plan
The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Confined Area Approach and Landing Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with confined area approach and landing.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Confined Area Approach & Landing Lesson Plan Introduction
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Schedule:
Topic:Time:Part 1, Introduction:0:05Part 2, Confined Area Approach and Landing:0:10Part 3, Confined Area Approach and Landing Risk Management:0:10Part 4, Confined Area Approach and Landing Guided Scenario(s):0:15Part 5, Conclude Lesson:0:10Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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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:
- More austere and even urban airport environments require obstacle negotiation
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Confined Area Approach & Landing Lesson Plan Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Weight and Balance worksheet.
- 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:
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 93.
- Aeronautical Information Manual.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations 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) Confined Area Approach & Landing Lesson Plan Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Introduce soft/rough field takeoff and climb.
- Part 2, Confined Area Approach and Landing:
- Discuss confined area Approach and Landing
- Baseline the discussion by reviewing stabilized approach concepts and energy management.
- Discuss selecting an appropriate approach path and touchdown point based on aircraft performance, obstacles, and available landing distance.
- Discuss effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, crosswind, tailwind, and windshear.
- Discuss wind correction techniques required to maintain runway alignment and proper ground track.
- Discuss obstacle clearance planning and approach angle considerations.
- Introduce short-field and obstacle clearance techniques as they relate to confined areas.
- Discuss planning for a go-around and when it must be executed.
- Discuss risks associated with distractions, task prioritization, and loss of situational awareness.
- Discuss collision hazards and traffic considerations in confined environments.
- Discuss risks of low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, and controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
- Demonstrate establishing proper approach configuration, airspeed, and trim for a stabilized approach.
- Emphasize maintaining recommended approach airspeed and adjusting for gust factors.
- Discuss maintaining directional control and crosswind correction throughout approach and landing.
- Discuss selecting and maintaining a precise touchdown point.
- Emphasize smooth, timely control inputs during roundout, flare, and touchdown.
- Emphasize ACS skill flow: stabilized approach, obstacle clearance, precise touchdown, directional control, and timely go-around.
- Question the student on how to recognize an unstable approach and when to discontinue the landing.
- Part 3, Confined Area Approach and Landing Risk Management:
- Part 4, Confined Area Approach and Landing Guided Scenario(s):
- Present a realistic confined area landing scenario with obstacles, limited landing distance, and variable wind conditions.
- Require the student to select an approach path and touchdown point.
- Have the student verbalize wind corrections, airspeed targets, and configuration changes.
- Require the student to identify risks including obstacles, wind effects, and runway limitations.
- Introduce a changing condition (e.g., gusts or obstacle conflict) and require the student to decide whether to continue or go around.
- Require the student to explain go-around decision-making and execution criteria.
- 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) Confined Area Approach & Landing Lesson Plan Guided Scenario(s)
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- Related scenarios:
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Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Confined Area Approach & Landing 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) Confined Area Approach & Landing Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with confined area approach and landing
- References: AIM; 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) Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:-
CA.IV.H.K1:
A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts. -
CA.IV.H.K2:
Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance. -
CA.IV.H.K3:
Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:-
CA.IV.H.R1:
Selection of approach path and touchdown area based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, available distance, and wind. -
CA.IV.H.R2:
Effects of:-
CA.IV.H.R2a:
Crosswind. -
CA.IV.H.R2b:
Windshear. -
CA.IV.H.R2c:
Tailwind. -
CA.IV.H.R2d:
Wake turbulence. -
CA.IV.H.R2e:
Runway surface/condition.
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CA.IV.H.R3:
Planning for a go-around and rejected landing. -
CA.IV.H.R4:
Collision hazards. -
CA.IV.H.R5:
Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). -
CA.IV.H.R6:
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:-
CA.IV.H.S1:
Complete the appropriate checklist(s). -
CA.IV.H.S2:
Make radio calls as appropriate. -
CA.IV.H.S3:
Ensure the airplane is aligned for an approach to the correct/assigned landing surface. -
CA.IV.H.S4:
Scan the landing area for traffic and obstructions. -
CA.IV.H.S5:
Select and aim for a suitable touchdown point considering the wind, landing surface, and obstructions. -
CA.IV.H.S6:
Establish the recommended approach and landing configuration, airspeed, and trim, and adjust pitch attitude and power as required to maintain a stabilized approach. -
CA.IV.H.S7:
Maintain manufacturer's published approach airspeed or in its absence not more than 1.3 VSO, +10/-5 knots with gust factor applied. -
CA.IV.H.S8:
Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing. -
CA.IV.H.S9:
Make smooth, timely, and correct control application before, during, and after touchdown. -
CA.IV.H.S10:
Contact the water at the recommended airspeed with a proper pitch attitude for the surface conditions -
CA.IV.H.S11:
Touch down at a proper pitch attitude, within 200 feet beyond or on the specified point, with no side drift, minimum float, and with the airplane's longitudinal axis aligned with the projected landing path. -
CA.IV.H.S12:
Execute a timely go-around if the approach cannot be made within the tolerances specified above or for any other condition that may result in an unsafe approach or landing. -
CA.IV.H.S13:
Apply elevator control as necessary to stop in the shortest distance consistent with safety.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Confined Area Approach & Landing 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 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.