Preflight Preparation
Lesson Plans

Pilot Qualifications:

  • Satisfy the requirements of Section I, Task A by determining that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with operating as pilot-in-command (PIC) as a commercial pilot

References:
14 CFR parts 61, 68, 91; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-25
Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates understanding of:
  • CA.I.A.K1:
Certification requirements, currency, and record keeping
  • CA.I.A.K2:
Privileges and limitations
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.A.K3:
Medical certificates: class, expiration, privileges, temporary disqualifications
  • CA.I.A.K4:
Documents required to exercise commercial pilot privileges
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
Risk Management:
The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess and mitigate risks, encompassing:
  • CA.I.A.R1
Failure to distinguish proficiency versus currency
  • CA.I.A.R4
Flying unfamiliar aircraft, or operating with unfamiliar flight display systems, and avionics
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
Skills:
The applicant demonstrates the ability to:
  • CA.I.A.S1
Apply requirements to act as PIC under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in a scenario given by the evaluator
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan

Airworthiness Requirements:

  • Satisfy the requirements of Section I, Task B by determining that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with airworthiness requirements, including aircraft certificates

References:
14 CFR parts 39, 43, 91; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-25
Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates understanding of:
  • CA.I.B.K1:
General airworthiness requirements and compliance for airplanes, including:
  • CA.I.B.K1a:
Certificate location and expiration dates
  • CA.I.B.K1b:
Required Inspections and aircraft logbook documentation
  • CA.I.B.K1c:
Airworthiness Directives and Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.B.K1d:
Purpose and procedure for obtaining a special flight permit
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.B.K2:
Pilot-performed preventive maintenance
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.A.K3:
Equipment requirements for day and night VFR flight, to include:
  • CA.I.B.K3a:
Flying with inoperative equipment
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.B.K3b:
Using an approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL)
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.A.K3c:
Kinds of Operation Equipment List (KOEL)
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.A.K3d:
Required discrepancy records or placards
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
Risk Management:
The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess and mitigate risks, encompassing:
  • CA.I.A.R1
Inoperative equipment discovered before flight
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
Skills:
The applicant demonstrates the ability to:
  • CA.I.A.S1
Locate and describe aircraft airworthiness and registration information
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.A.S2
Determine the aircraft is airworthy in a scenario given by the evaluator
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.A.S3
Apply the procedures for operating with inoperative equipment in a scenario given by the evaluator
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan

Weather Information:

  • Satisfy the requirements of Section I, Task C by determining that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with weather information for a flight under VFR

References:
14 CFR part 91; FAA-H-8083-25; AC 00-6, AC 00-45, AC 00-54; AIM
Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates understanding of:
  • CA.I.C.K1:
Acceptable sources of weather data for flight planning purposes
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.C.K2:
Weather products required for preflight planning, current and forecast weather for departure, en route, and arrival phases of flight
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.C.K3:
Meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination for flights conducted under VFR in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) to include expected climate and hazardous conditions, such as (minimum of 3):
  • CA.I.C.K3a:
Atmospheric composition and stability
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.C.K3b:
Wind (e.g. crosswind, tailwind, wind shear, etc.)
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.C.K3c:
Temperature
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.C.K3d:
Moisture/precipitation
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.C.K3e:
Weather system formation, including air masses and fronts
  • CA.I.C.K3f:
Clouds
  • CA.I.C.K3g:
Turbulence
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.C.K3h:
Thunderstorms and Microburst
  • CA.I.C.K3i:
Icing and freezing level information
  • CA.I.C.K3j:
Fog
  • CA.I.C.K3k:
Frost
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.C.K4:
Flight deck displays of digital weather and aeronautical information
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
Risk Management:
The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess and mitigate risks, encompassing:
  • CA.I.C.R1
Factors involved in making a valid go/no-go decision, to include:
  • CA.I.C.R1a
Circumstances that would make diversion prudent
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.C.R1b
Personal weather minimums
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.C.R2
Limitations of:
  • CA.I.C.R2a
Onboard weather equipment
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.C.R2b
Aviation weather reports and forecasts
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.C.R2c
Inflight weather resources
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
Skills:
The applicant demonstrates the ability to:
  • CA.I.C.S1
Use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.A.S2
Correlate weather information to make a competent go/no-go decision
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan

Cross-Country Flight Planning:

  • Satisfy the requirements of Section I, Task D by determining that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with cross-country flights and VFR flight planning

References:
14 CFR part 91; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-25; Navigation Charts; Chart Supplements; AIM; NOTAMs
Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates understanding of:
  • CA.I.D.K1:
Route planning, including consideration of different classes and special use airspace (SUA) and selection of appropriate navigation/communication systems and facilities
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.D.K2:
Altitude selection accounting for terrain and obstacles, glide distance of aircraft, VFR cruising altitudes, and the effect of wind
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.D.K3:
Calculating:
  • CA.I.D.K3a:
Time, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed and groundspeed
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.D.K3b:
Estimated time of arrival to include conversion to universal coordinated time (UTC)
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.D.K3c:
Fuel requirements, to include reserve
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.D.K4:
Elements of a VFR flight plan
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.D.K5:
Procedures for activating and closing a VFR flight plan
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
Risk Management:
The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess and mitigate risks, encompassing:
  • CA.I.D.R1
Pilots
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.D.R2
Aircraft
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.D.R3
Environment (e.g., weather, airports, airspace, terrain, obstacles)
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.D.R4
External pressures
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.D.R5
Limitations of air traffic control (ATC) services
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.D.R6
Improper fuel planning
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
Skills:
The applicant demonstrates the ability to:
  • CA.I.D.S1
Prepare, present and explain a cross-country flight plan assigned by the evaluator including a risk analysis based on real time weather, to the first fuel stop
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.D.S2
Apply pertinent information from appropriate and current aeronautical charts, chart supplements; Notices to Airman (NOTAMs) relative to airport, runway and taxiway closures; and other flight publications
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.D.S3
Create a navigation log and simulate filing a VFR flight plan
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.D.S4
Recalculate fuel reserves based on a scenario provided by the evaluator
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan

National Airspace System:

  • Satisfy the requirements of Section I, Task E by determining that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with the National Airspace System (NAS) operating under VFR as a commercial pilot

References:
14 CFR part 91; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-25; Navigation Charts; Chart Supplements; AIM; NOTAMs
Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates understanding of:
  • CA.I.E.K1:
Types of airspace/airspace classes and associated requirements and limitations
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.E.K2:
Charting symbology
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.E.K3:
SUA, special flight rules areas (SFRA), temporary flight restrictions (TFR), and other airspace areas
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
Risk Management:
The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess and mitigate risks, encompassing:
  • CA.I.E.R1
Various classes of airspace
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
Skills:
The applicant demonstrates the ability to:
  • CA.I.E.S1
Explain the requirements for basic VFR weather minimums and flying in particular classes of airspace, to include SUA, SFRA, and TFR
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.E.S2
Correctly identify airspace and operate in accordance with associated communication and equipment requirements
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan

Performance and Limitations:

  • Satisfy the requirements of Section I, Task F by determining that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with operating an aircraft safely within the parameters of its performance capabilities and limitations

References:
14 CFR part 91; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-25; Navigation Charts; Chart Supplements; AIM; NOTAMs
Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates understanding of:
  • CA.I.F.K1:
Elements related to performance and limitations by explaining the use of charts, tables, and data to determine performance
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.F.K2:
Factors affecting performance, to include:
  • CA.I.F.K2a:
Atmospheric conditions
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.F.K2b:
Pilot technique
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.F.K2c:
Aircraft condition
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.F.K2d:
Airport environment
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.F.K2e:
Loading
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.F.K2f:
Weight and balance
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.F.K3:
Aerodynamics
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
Risk Management:
The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess and mitigate risks, encompassing:
  • CA.I.F.R1
Inaccurate use of appropriate manufacturer’s performance charts, tables, and data
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.F.R2
Exceeding aircraft limitations
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.F.R3
Possible differences between actual aircraft performance and published aircraft performance data
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
Skills:
The applicant demonstrates the ability to:
  • CA.I.E.S1
Compute the weight and balance, correct out-of-center of gravity (CG) loading errors and determine if the weight and balance remains within limits during all phases of flight
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.E.S2
Demonstrate use of the appropriate aircraft manufacturer’s approved performance charts, tables, and data
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan

Operation of Systems:

  • Satisfy the requirements of Section I, Task G by determining that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with the safe operation of systems on the airplane provided for the flight test

References:
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates understanding of:
  • CA.I.G.K1:
Aircraft systems (minimum of 3), to include:
  • CA.I.G.K1a:
Primary flight controls and trim
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.G.K1b:
Secondary flight controls
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.G.K1c:
Powerplant and propeller
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.G.K1d:
Landing gear
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.G.K1e:
Fuel, oil, and hydraulic
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.G.K1f:
Electrical
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.G.K1g:
Avionics
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.G.K1h:
Pitot-static, vacuum/pressure and associated flight instruments
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.G.K1i:
Environmental
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.G.K1j:
Deicing and anti-icing
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.G.K1k:
Water rudders (ASES, AMES)
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.G.K1i :
Oxygen system
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.G.K2:
Indications of system abnormalities or failures
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
Risk Management:
The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess and mitigate risks, encompassing:
  • CA.I.G.R1
Failure to identify system malfunctions or failures
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.G.R2
Improper handling of a system failure
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.G.R3
Failure to monitor and manage automated systems
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
Skills:
The applicant demonstrates the ability to:
  • CA.I.G.S1
Explain and operate the airplane’s systems
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • CA.I.G.S2
Properly use appropriate checklists
  • Information
  • Lesson Plan

Human Factors:

  • Satisfy the requirements of Section I, Task H by determining that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with personal health, flight physiology, aeromedical and human factors, as it relates to safety of flight

Water and Seaplane Characteristics, Seaplane Bases, Maritime Rules, and Aids to Marine Navigation (ASES, AMES):

  • Satisfy the requirements of Section I, Task I by determining that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with water and seaplane characteristics, seaplane bases, maritime rules, and aids to marine navigation

Principles of Flight – Engine Inoperative (AMEL, AMES):

  • Satisfy the requirements of Section I, Task J by determining that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with the elements related to engine inoperative principles of flight

References: