Flight Instructor (Airplane) Traffic Patterns Lesson Plan

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

The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Traffic Patterns Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Traffic Patterns 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 traffic Patterns.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant understands traffic patterns, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Traffic Patterns 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) Traffic Patterns 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 B, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands traffic patterns, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    • Teach and assess towered- and nontowered-airport operations. (AI.VI.B.K1)
    • Teach and assess traffic-pattern selection for the current conditions. (AI.VI.B.K2)
    • Teach and assess applicable right-of-way rules. (AI.VI.B.K3)
    • Teach and assess the use and limitations of automated weather and airport information. (AI.VI.B.K4)
    • Teach the learner to recognize, prevent, and correct common traffic-pattern errors. (AI.VI.B.K5)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate collision hazards. (AI.VI.B.R1)
    • Teach the learner to manage distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, and disorientation. (AI.VI.B.R2)
    • Teach the learner to recognize, avoid, and respond to windshear and wake turbulence. (AI.VI.B.R3)
    • 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 identification and interpretation of airport or seaplane-base runways, taxiways, markings, signs, and lighting. (AI.VI.B.S1)
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess compliance with recommended traffic-pattern procedures. (AI.VI.B.S2)
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess wind-drift correction that maintains the proper ground track. (AI.VI.B.S3)
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess orientation with the runway or landing area in use. (AI.VI.B.S4)
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess maintenance of traffic-pattern altitude within ±100 feet and the appropriate airspeed within ±10 knots. (AI.VI.B.S5)
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess situational awareness and proper spacing from other traffic-pattern aircraft. (AI.VI.B.S6)
    • Demonstrate how to analyze and correct common traffic-pattern errors, then assess the instructor applicant's ability to teach those corrections. (AI.VI.B.S7)
    • 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) Traffic Patterns Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Assign operations at unfamiliar controlled and uncontrolled airports or seaplane bases and require the instructor applicant to teach surface identification, traffic-pattern selection and entry, right-of-way, wake turbulence, collision avoidance, and local procedures. (AI.VI.B.K1–K5)
  • Have the learner identify and interpret the operating surfaces and indications, determine the appropriate pattern and runway or water lane, enter and fly the pattern at suitable spacing and altitude, communicate, and apply right-of-way and wake-avoidance procedures. (AI.VI.B.S1–S7)
  • Introduce conflicting traffic, a runway change, wake turbulence, an unusual pattern entry, or limited visibility and require collision avoidance, workload control, predictable maneuvering, and a safe go-around or departure from the pattern when necessary. (AI.VI.B.R1–R3)
  • Introduce a realistic learner error, such as an improper entry, fixation on one aircraft, excessive pattern compression, or failure to verify the landing surface, 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) Traffic Patterns 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) Traffic Patterns Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Traffic Patterns Airman Certification Standards

  • Note: The evaluator must select at least one Task from this Area of Operation.
  • Task B: Traffic Patterns.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands traffic patterns, 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 5 ACS Elements
  • AI.VI.B.K1:
    Towered and nontowered airport operations.
  • AI.VI.B.K2:
    Traffic pattern selection for the current conditions.
  • AI.VI.B.K3:
    Right-of-way rules.
  • AI.VI.B.K4:
    Use of automated weather and airport information.
  • AI.VI.B.K5:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
  • AI.VI.B.R1:
    Collision hazards.
  • AI.VI.B.R2:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • AI.VI.B.R3:
    Windshear and wake turbulence.
Skills 7 ACS Elements
  • AI.VI.B.S1:
    Identify and interpret airport/seaplane base runways, taxiways, markings, signs, and lighting.
  • AI.VI.B.S2:
    Comply with recommended traffic pattern procedures.
  • AI.VI.B.S3:
    Correct for wind drift to maintain the proper ground track.
  • AI.VI.B.S4:
    Maintain orientation with the runway/landing area in use.
  • AI.VI.B.S5:
    Maintain traffic pattern altitude, ±100 feet, and the appropriate airspeed, ±10 knots.
  • AI.VI.B.S6:
    Maintain situational awareness and proper spacing from other aircraft in the traffic pattern.
  • AI.VI.B.S7:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Traffic Patterns Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in traffic Patterns 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.