Flight Instructor (Airplane) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

Flight Instructor (Airplane) • ACS Area XII, Task C

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions 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 systems and Equipment Malfunctions.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant understands system and equipment malfunctions appropriate to the aircraft provided for the practical test, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

Materials

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions 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 XII, Task C, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands system and equipment malfunctions appropriate to the aircraft provided for the practical test, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    • Teach and assess the causes, indications, immediate priorities, and appropriate responses for partial or complete power loss involving the aircraft's specific powerplant or powerplants. (AI.XII.C.K1)
    • Use the aircraft POH/AFM and installed-equipment documentation to teach recognition, operational consequences, and appropriate responses for aircraft-specific malfunctions involving: (AI.XII.C.K2)
      • Electrical systems. (AI.XII.C.K2a)
      • Vacuum or pressure systems and associated flight instruments. (AI.XII.C.K2b)
      • Pitot-static systems. (AI.XII.C.K2c)
      • Electronic flight-deck displays. (AI.XII.C.K2d)
      • Landing gear or flaps. (AI.XII.C.K2e)
      • Inoperative trim. (AI.XII.C.K2f)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply the likely sources and indications of smoke or fire, immediate aircraft-control priorities, system isolation, extinguishing procedures, ventilation considerations, and landing decisions. (AI.XII.C.K3)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply malfunctions and emergency procedures for other systems installed in the aircraft, such as supplemental oxygen, anti-icing, or deicing equipment. (AI.XII.C.K4)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply the aerodynamic, noise, distraction, and structural considerations associated with an inadvertent door or window opening and the applicable POH/AFM procedure. (AI.XII.C.K5)
    • Teach the learner to recognize, prevent, and correct common errors involving malfunction diagnosis, checklist selection, task prioritization, and premature or inappropriate corrective action. (AI.XII.C.K6)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Use unexpected but safely introduced scenarios to teach recognition and management of startle, including pausing long enough to maintain control, identify the problem, and select a deliberate response. (AI.XII.C.R1)
    • Teach disciplined checklist use: perform only validated immediate actions from memory, select the correct checklist, verify each action before execution, and confirm the result. (AI.XII.C.R2)
    • Require the learner to manage distractions, prioritize aircraft control and critical systems, preserve situational awareness and orientation, and communicate or delegate when appropriate. (AI.XII.C.R3)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply early recognition and recovery from an undesired aircraft state caused or aggravated by a malfunction, erroneous indication, or inappropriate corrective action. (AI.XII.C.R4)
    • Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
  • Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Present simulated emergencies from at least three elements or sub-elements in K1 through K5 and assess the instructor applicant's diagnosis, prioritization, decision-making, and proposed action. (AI.XII.C.S1)
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess accurate completion of the appropriate checklist or checklists while maintaining positive aircraft control. (AI.XII.C.S2)
    • Have the instructor applicant analyze and correct common errors without creating a secondary malfunction or undesired aircraft state. (AI.XII.C.S3)
    • 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) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a systems-and-equipment-malfunctions lesson while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Introduce an unexpected but safely controlled malfunction and require the instructor applicant to teach the learner how to manage the startle response before diagnosing and responding. (AI.XII.C.R1)
  • Require the instructor applicant to diagnose and teach the appropriate response to simulated emergencies drawn from at least three elements or sub-elements in K1 through K5. (AI.XII.C.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.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions 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) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions 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 C: Systems and Equipment Malfunctions.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands system and equipment malfunctions appropriate to the aircraft provided for the practical test, 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
  • AI.XII.C.K1:
    Causes of partial or complete power loss related to the specific type of powerplant(s).
  • AI.XII.C.K2:
    System and equipment malfunctions specific to the aircraft, including:
    • AI.XII.C.K2a:
      Electrical malfunction
    • AI.XII.C.K2b:
      Vacuum/pressure and associated flight instrument malfunctions
    • AI.XII.C.K2c:
      Pitot-static system malfunction
    • AI.XII.C.K2d:
      Electronic flight deck display malfunction
    • AI.XII.C.K2e:
      Landing gear or flap malfunction
    • AI.XII.C.K2f:
      Inoperative trim
  • AI.XII.C.K3:
    Causes and remedies for smoke or fire onboard the aircraft.
  • AI.XII.C.K4:
    Any other system specific to the aircraft (e.g., supplemental oxygen, deicing).
  • AI.XII.C.K5:
    Inadvertent door or window opening.
  • AI.XII.C.K6:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
  • AI.XII.C.R1:
    Startle response.
  • AI.XII.C.R2:
    Checklist usage for a system or equipment malfunction.
  • AI.XII.C.R3:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • AI.XII.C.R4:
    Undesired aircraft state.
Skills 3 ACS Elements
  • AI.XII.C.S1:
    Determine appropriate action for simulated emergencies specified by the evaluator, from at least three of the elements or sub-elements listed in K1 through K5.
  • AI.XII.C.S2:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • AI.XII.C.S3:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in systems and Equipment Malfunctions 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.