Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Approach & Landing Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area V, Task B
The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Approach and Landing Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with normal takeoff, climb operations, and rejected takeoff procedures.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Part 1, Introduction:0:05Part 2, Factors Impacting Takeoff Performance:0:10Part 3, Takeoff Performance Calculations:0:10Part 4, Factors Impacting Climb Performance:0:10Part 5, Climb Performance Calculations:0:10Part 6, Normal Takeoff & Climb Procedures:0:10Part 7, Anomalies and Malfunctions:0:10Part 8, Safety:0:10Part 9, Guided Scenario(s):0:15Part 10, Conclude Lesson:0:10Remotivation/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:
- Normal aircraft landings are the most basic of all landing procedures/maneuvers.
- The purpose of this maneuver is to safely execute a landing under normal conditions (i.e., hard surface, minimal wind, plenty of available landing distance).
- Normal landings are closely related to the performance of flight at minimum controllable airspeeds.
- While this procedure is for normal landing, assuming the wind is blowing right down the runway, that will almost never be the case.
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:
- Approach and Landing Supplement.
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Descent and Landing Performance Supplement.
- Takeoff and Climb Supplement.
- Wake Turbulence Supplement.
- Multiengine Operations Supplement.
- Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance Supplement.
- Flight Deck Management Supplement.
- Taxiing Supplement.
- Weight and Balance Supplement.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Aeronautical Information Manual.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Land and Hold Short Operations Supplement.
- Aeronautical Decision Making Supplement.
- Radio Communications Supplement.
- Test-taking Guidance.
- Test Guides.
- The Checkride Supplement.
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 normal approach and landing.
- Part 2, Descent Planning:
- Introduce crabbing to compensate for winds.
- Introduce slips to landing to compensate for winds.
- Part 3, Descent Performance Calculations:
- Introduce pitch angle and it's relation to slide slope.
- Introduce vertical speed and it's relation to slide slope.
- Introduce vertical speed and it's relation to slide slope.
- Part 4, Factors Impacting Approach and Landing Performance:
- Introduce winds (airborne into surface) impacts to normal approach and landing performance, including determining wind direction with or without visual indicators.
- Introduce wind shear impacts to normal takeoff and climb performance.
- Introduce wake turbulence considerations during normal approach and landing.
- Introduce outside air temperature and field elevation/density altitude impacts to normal takeoff and climb performance.
- Introduce runway surface condition impacts to normal approach and landing.
- Introduce runway slope impacts to normal approach and landing.
- Introduce gross weight impacts and to normal approach and landing.
- Introduce flight profile impacts to normal approach and landing.
- Introduce tire pressure impacts to normal approach and landing.
- Part 5, Landing Performance Calculations:
- Review Performance and Limitations lesson plan (as appropriate), specifically takeoff and climb performance.
- Review weight & balance performance calculation.
- Part 6, Normal Approach & Landing Procedures:
- Review taxiing, as required.
- Introduce aircraft configuration considerations.
- Introduce normal landing procedures.
- Introduce multiengine considerations, as appropriate.
- Introduce normal landing common errors.
- Introduce normal landing lessons and case studies.
- Introduce rejected takeoff considerations.
- Part 7, Anomalies and Malfunctions:
- Introduce potential emergency procedures during normal takeoff & climb.
- Introduce aborted/rejected landing.
- Part 8, Safety:
- Introduce collision hazards.
- Introduce low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin and controlled flight into terrain risks.
- Introduce distractions, task prioritization, situational awareness, and disorientation.
- Introduce runway incursion risks.
- Part 9, Guided Scenario(s):
- Part 10, 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.
Guided Scenario(s)
- Discuss the purpose of an conditions which warrant a normal takeoff and climb procedure.
- Conduct a weight and balance calculation for the day.
- Conduct a takeoff distance calculation for the day, noting where takeoff should occur in reference to the airport runways (save for later in lesson)
- Provide simulated variables that cover different airfield elevations (takeoff distance), temperatures, surface conditions, and winds for subsequent calculations and discuss on how they effect takeoff and climb performance.
- Conduct a normal takeoff and compare actual rotation location to calculated location.
- Discuss how crosswind takeoffs.
- How do control inputs change as the aircraft accelerates?
- How does the pilot manage the liftoff/transition to climb?
- Discuss rejecting the takeoff in the rain/snow.
- How would rejecting a takeoff on a wet runway change a pilot's action?
- How would performance change?
- Discuss an engine failure on takeoff roll, just after takeoff, and while in the climb.
- How does a pilot recognize loss of performance? What is normal RPM expected?
- How do pilot options change as the aircraft gains altitude?
- Discuss the importance of checking for aircraft on final before taxiing onto the runway.
- What are some reasons pilots may be on final without other pilots otherwise knowing?
- Discuss hazards by providing an example of taking off after a larger aircraft (windshear).
- Discuss minimum safe altitudes.
- Describe minimum safe altitudes for a given area?
- Discuss how minimum safe altitudes apply to takeoff/airport operations?
- Discuss reasons where Vx and Vy would be most appropriate for climbout.
- Discuss risk in climb (power-on stall) as well as terrain avoidance being low altitude, nose-high, high workload.
- Discuss why noise abatement procedures exist and where to find them.
- Have student locate noise abatement procedures for the local or a nearby airport.
- 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) Normal Approach and Landing Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with normal approach and landing with emphasis on proper use and coordination of flight controls
- Note: If a crosswind condition does not exist, the applicant's knowledge of crosswind elements must be evaluated through oral testing
- 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.
Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
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CA.IV.B.K1: -
CA.IV.B.K2: -
CA.IV.B.K3: Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
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CA.IV.B.R1: Selection of runway/landing surface, approach path, and touchdown area based on pilot capability, aircraft performance and limitations, available distance, and wind. -
CA.IV.B.R2: Effects of:-
CA.IV.B.R2a: Crosswind. -
CA.IV.B.R2b: Windshear. -
CA.IV.B.R2c: Tailwind. -
CA.IV.B.R2d: Wake turbulence. -
CA.IV.B.R2e: Runway surface/condition.
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CA.IV.B.R3: Planning for:-
CA.IV.B.R3a: Rejected landing and go-around. -
CA.IV.B.R3b: Land and hold short operations (LAHSO).
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CA.IV.B.R4: -
CA.IV.B.R5: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). -
CA.IV.B.R6: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 12 ACS Elements
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CA.IV.B.S1: Complete the appropriate checklist(s). -
CA.IV.B.S2: Make radio calls as appropriate. -
CA.IV.B.S3: Ensure the airplane is aligned with the correct/assigned runway or landing surface. -
CA.IV.B.S4: Scan the runway or landing surface and adjoining area for traffic and obstructions. -
CA.IV.B.S5: Select and aim for a suitable touchdown point considering the wind, landing surface, and obstructions. -
CA.IV.B.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.B.S7: Maintain manufacturer's published approach airspeed or in its absence not more than 1.3 times the stalling speed or the minimum steady flight speed in the landing configuration (VSO), ±5 knots with gust factor applied. -
CA.IV.B.S8: -
CA.IV.B.S9: Make smooth, timely, and correct control application during round out and touchdown. -
CA.IV.B.S10: Touch down at a proper pitch attitude, within 200 feet beyond or on the specified point, with no side drift, and with the airplane's longitudinal axis aligned with and over the runway center/landing path. -
CA.IV.B.S11: 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.B.S12: Utilize runway incursion avoidance procedures.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Normal Approach and Landing requires disciplined planning, stabilized energy management, and precise control from the approach through touchdown and rollout.
- Evaluating wind, runway conditions, obstacles, aircraft performance, and personal limitations helps pilots recognize when an approach remains safe and when a timely go-around is required.
- Consistent airspeed control, runway alignment, traffic scanning, communication, and checklist discipline integrate aircraft handling with sound operational judgment.
- Continued practice with Normal Approach and Landing prepares commercial pilots for changing conditions and increasingly demanding landing scenarios in later training.
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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.