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, 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:
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.VI.B.K1: Towered and nontowered airport operations.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.VI.B.K2: Traffic pattern selection for the current conditions.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.VI.B.K3: Right-of-way rules.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.VI.B.K4: Use of automated weather and airport information.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.VI.B.K5: Common errors related to this Task.
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.VI.B.R1: Collision hazards.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.VI.B.R2: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.VI.B.R3: Windshear and wake turbulence.
    • Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
  • Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VI.B.S1: Identify and interpret airport/seaplane base runways, taxiways, markings, signs, and lighting.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VI.B.S2: Comply with recommended traffic pattern procedures.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VI.B.S3: Correct for wind drift to maintain the proper ground track.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VI.B.S4: Maintain orientation with the runway/landing area in use.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VI.B.S5: Maintain traffic pattern altitude, ±100 feet, and the appropriate airspeed, ±10 knots.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VI.B.S6: Maintain situational awareness and proper spacing from other aircraft in the traffic pattern.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VI.B.S7: Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
    • 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)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving traffic Patterns while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Ask the instructor applicant to identify hazards, including AI.VI.B.R1: Collision hazards, and teach how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the instructor applicant to explain, demonstrate, or coach the learner through AI.VI.B.S1: Identify and interpret airport/seaplane base runways, taxiways, markings, signs, and lighting, as appropriate to the task and training environment.
  • Introduce a realistic learner error, misconception, change in operating conditions, or external pressure and require the instructor applicant to adapt the lesson.
  • 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.
  • 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.