Flight Instructor (Airplane) Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear Lesson Plan
Flight Instructor (Airplane) • ACS Area XII, Task D
The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:0:25Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:0:15Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:0:30Part 5, Guided Teaching Scenario:0:20Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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Attention Getter:
- Present a teaching scenario in which learner safety or understanding depends on effective instruction in emergency Equipment and Survival Gear.
- Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.
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Motivator:
- To determine the applicant understands emergency equipment and survival gear, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
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:
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airman Certification Standards (ACS).
- Aviation Instructor's Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Task references: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
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 XII, Task D, and the Airman Certification Standards.
- State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands emergency equipment and survival gear, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
- Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
- Teach and assess Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) operation, limitations, inspection and battery requirements, permitted testing, and appropriate activation and post-accident use. (AI.XII.D.K1)
- Teach and assess fire-extinguisher selection, location, inspection, operation, discharge hazards, and limitations for the aircraft and likely fire classes. (AI.XII.D.K2)
- Teach the learner to select emergency equipment and survival gear appropriate to the route, occupants, season, and operating environment, including: (AI.XII.D.K3)
- Hot- and cold-weather climate extremes. (AI.XII.D.K3a)
- Mountainous and remote terrain. (AI.XII.D.K3b)
- Overwater operations. (AI.XII.D.K3c)
- If equipped, teach decision criteria, limitations, deployment procedures, and passenger briefing considerations for a ballistic parachute system. (AI.XII.D.K4)
- If equipped, teach decision criteria, activation procedures, limitations, and passenger briefing considerations for an emergency autoland system. (AI.XII.D.K5)
- Teach the learner to recognize, prevent, and correct common errors involving emergency equipment selection, inspection, accessibility, and use. (AI.XII.D.K6)
- Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
- Have the learner build a 48- to 72-hour survival plan that addresses water, food, clothing, shelter, first aid, signaling, communication, and equipment accessibility for the planned route. (AI.XII.D.R1)
- If equipped, use scenarios to weigh the risks of deploying or delaying deployment of the ballistic parachute system, including altitude, aircraft condition, terrain, occupant restraint, and post-deployment hazards. (AI.XII.D.R2)
- If installed, use scenarios to assess when emergency autoland improves the outcome and when system availability, limitations, environment, or aircraft condition require another course of action. (AI.XII.D.R3)
- Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
- Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
- Have the instructor applicant identify and justify equipment and personal gear appropriate to a representative flight and survival environment. (AI.XII.D.S1)
- Demonstrate, teach, and assess a clear passenger briefing on the location and proper use of onboard emergency equipment and survival gear. (AI.XII.D.S2)
- If equipped, have the instructor applicant simulate the complete ballistic-parachute deployment procedure using the manufacturer's guidance without activating the system. (AI.XII.D.S3)
- Have the instructor applicant analyze and correct common errors while preserving the learner's understanding of when and how the equipment should be used. (AI.XII.D.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.
Guided Scenario(s)
- The instructor applicant must teach an emergency-equipment and survival-gear lesson while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
- Assign a route through a demanding environment and require the instructor applicant to teach a 48- to 72-hour survival plan that addresses water, clothing, shelter, signaling, and equipment accessibility. (AI.XII.D.R1)
- Require the instructor applicant to identify and justify the equipment and personal gear appropriate to the scenario. (AI.XII.D.S1)
- 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.
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.
Airman Certification Standards
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear Airman Certification Standards
- Note: For ASEL or ASES, the evaluator must select at least Tasks B and C. For AMEL or AMES, the evaluator must select Tasks E or F; Task G; and at least one other Task.
- Task D: Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear.
- Note: See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
- Objective: To determine the applicant understands emergency equipment and survival gear, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
- References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
Knowledge 6 ACS Elements
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AI.XII.D.K1: Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) operations, limitations, and testing requirements. -
AI.XII.D.K2: Fire extinguisher operations and limitations. -
AI.XII.D.K3: Emergency equipment and survival gear needed for:-
AI.XII.D.K3a: Climate extremes (hot/cold) -
AI.XII.D.K3b: Mountainous terrain -
AI.XII.D.K3c: Overwater operations
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AI.XII.D.K4: When to deploy a ballistic parachute and associated passenger briefings, if equipped. -
AI.XII.D.K5: When to activate an emergency auto-land system and brief passengers, if equipped. -
AI.XII.D.K6: Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
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AI.XII.D.R1: Survival gear (water, clothing, shelter) for 48 to 72 hours. -
AI.XII.D.R2: Use of a ballistic parachute system. -
AI.XII.D.R3: Use of an emergency auto-land system, if installed.
Skills 4 ACS Elements
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AI.XII.D.S1: Identify appropriate equipment and personal gear. -
AI.XII.D.S2: Brief passengers on proper use of on-board emergency equipment and survival gear. -
AI.XII.D.S3: Simulate ballistic parachute deployment procedures, if equipped. -
AI.XII.D.S4: Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Conclusion
Re-Motivation:
- Effective instruction in emergency Equipment and Survival Gear 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.