Flight Instructor (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan

Flight Instructor (Airplane) • ACS Area VI, Task A

The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    0:25
    Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    0:15
    Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    0:30
    Part 5, Guided Teaching Scenario:
    0:20
    Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a teaching scenario in which learner safety or understanding depends on effective instruction in communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant understands communications, ATC (Air Traffic Control) light signals, and runway lighting systems and can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan

Materials

  • Required Materials:

    • Writing instrument and instructional surface.
    • FAA-S-ACS-25, Flight Instructor for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards.
    • Lesson plan, student training record, and applicable instructor records.

  • Optional Materials:

    • Model-specific Pilot's Operating Handbook or Airplane Flight Manual (POH/AFM).
    • Manufacturer-approved checklist and performance data.
    • Current charts, Chart Supplement, Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), and electronic flight bag, as applicable.
    • Airplane, cockpit procedures trainer, approved training device, or classroom teaching aids, as appropriate.

  • Reference Materials:

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review the reference materials, applicable airplane limitations, and the instructor applicant's prior lesson preparation.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    • Present the attention getter and motivator.
    • Review Area of Operation VI, Task A, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands communications, ATC light signals, and runway lighting systems and can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    • Teach and assess how to obtain the appropriate radio frequencies. (AI.VI.A.K1)
    • Teach and assess proper radio communication procedures and air traffic control (ATC) phraseology. (AI.VI.A.K2)
    • Teach and assess recognition and interpretation of ATC light signals. (AI.VI.A.K3)
    • Teach and assess appropriate transponder use. (AI.VI.A.K4)
    • Teach and assess lost-communication procedures. (AI.VI.A.K5)
    • Teach and assess equipment conditions and malfunctions that can cause a loss of communication. (AI.VI.A.K6)
    • Teach and assess the uses and limitations of radar assistance. (AI.VI.A.K7)
    • Teach and assess recognition and use of Runway Status Lights. (AI.VI.A.K8)
    • Teach the learner to recognize, prevent, and correct common errors associated with communications, light signals, and runway lighting systems. (AI.VI.A.K9)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate communication-related risks, including misunderstanding, frequency selection, blocked transmissions, and loss of communication. (AI.VI.A.R1)
    • Teach the learner to assess a deteriorating situation and decide whether and when to declare an emergency. (AI.VI.A.R2)
    • Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
  • Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess selection and activation of appropriate frequencies. (AI.VI.A.S1)
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess transmissions using standard phraseology and procedures. (AI.VI.A.S2)
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess acknowledgment of radio communications and compliance with ATC instructions or evaluator direction. (AI.VI.A.S3)
    • Demonstrate how to analyze and correct common errors associated with this task, then assess the instructor applicant's ability to teach those corrections. (AI.VI.A.S4)
    • Coach simultaneous explanation, demonstration, observation, error correction, and, when airborne, positive aircraft control.
  • Part 5, Guided Teaching Scenario:
    • Lead the guided scenario.
    • Evaluate instructional organization, technical accuracy, risk management, learner engagement, and every applicable ACS element.
  • Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:
    • Review the lesson objective, instructional strengths, risk-management decisions, and items requiring additional practice.
    • Present the re-motivation and closure.
  • Update instructor records and the instructor applicant's training record, as required.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Assign arrival and departure operations at controlled and uncontrolled airports and require the instructor applicant to teach radio procedures, lost-communication alternatives, light-gun signals, airport lighting, and pilot-controlled lighting. (AI.VI.A.K1–K9)
  • Have the learner select and activate the appropriate frequencies and lighting, make accurate transmissions and readbacks, interpret a light-gun signal, and explain the required action for a communication failure. (AI.VI.A.S1–S4)
  • Introduce frequency congestion, an incorrect readback, radio failure, or misleading lighting selection and require workload control, clarification, predictable operation, and a safe continuation, diversion, or landing decision. (AI.VI.A.R1–R2)
  • Introduce a realistic learner error, such as transmitting on the wrong frequency, accepting an amended clearance without verification, or confusing runway-light intensity with runway alignment, and require timely instructor intervention and correction.
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to the ACS knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan

Student Actions

  • Complete assigned readings and prepare a lesson plan with objective, content sequence, teaching aids, assessment, and completion standards.
  • Teach the applicable knowledge elements accurately and in learner-appropriate language rather than relying on rote recitation.
  • Identify, assess, mitigate, and teach the risks associated with the task.
  • Demonstrate or explain each applicable skill while maintaining positive control, observing the learner, and correcting errors appropriately.
  • Complete or review AOPA's Runway Safety Online Course.
  • Use effective questions, check learner understanding, conduct a learner-centered assessment, and perform an instructor self-assessment.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Airman Certification Standards

  • Note: The evaluator must select at least one Task from this Area of Operation.
  • Task A: Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands communications, ATC light signals, and runway lighting systems and can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-25
Knowledge 9 ACS Elements
  • AI.VI.A.K1:
    How to obtain appropriate radio frequencies.
  • AI.VI.A.K2:
    Proper radio communication procedures and air traffic control (ATC) phraseology.
  • AI.VI.A.K3:
    ATC light signal recognition.
  • AI.VI.A.K4:
    Appropriate use of transponder(s).
  • AI.VI.A.K5:
    Lost communication procedures.
  • AI.VI.A.K6:
    Equipment issues that could cause loss of communication.
  • AI.VI.A.K7:
    Radar assistance.
  • AI.VI.A.K8:
    Runway Status Lighting Systems.
  • AI.VI.A.K9:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 2 ACS Elements
  • AI.VI.A.R1:
    Communication.
  • AI.VI.A.R2:
    Deciding if and when to declare an emergency.
Skills 4 ACS Elements
  • AI.VI.A.S1:
    Select and activate appropriate frequencies.
  • AI.VI.A.S2:
    Transmit using standard phraseology and procedures as specified in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and Pilot/Controller Glossary.
  • AI.VI.A.S3:
    Acknowledge radio communications and comply with ATC instructions or as directed by the evaluator.
  • AI.VI.A.S4:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems helps learners build sound judgment, technical competence, and safe operating habits.

  • Closure:

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