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

  • 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) 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:
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.XII.C.K1: Causes of partial or complete power loss related to the specific type of powerplant(s).
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.XII.C.K2: System and equipment malfunctions specific to the aircraft, including:
      • AI.XII.C.K2a: a. Electrical malfunction
      • AI.XII.C.K2b: b. Vacuum/pressure and associated flight instrument malfunctions
      • AI.XII.C.K2c: c. Pitot-static system malfunction
      • AI.XII.C.K2d: d. Electronic flight deck display malfunction
      • AI.XII.C.K2e: e. Landing gear or flap malfunction
      • AI.XII.C.K2f: f. Inoperative trim
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.XII.C.K3: Causes and remedies for smoke or fire onboard the aircraft.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.XII.C.K4: Any other system specific to the aircraft (e.g., supplemental oxygen, deicing).
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.XII.C.K5: Inadvertent door or window opening.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.XII.C.K6: Common errors related to this Task.
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.XII.C.R1: Startle response.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.XII.C.R2: Checklist usage for a system or equipment malfunction.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.XII.C.R3: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.XII.C.R4: Undesired aircraft state.
    • 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.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.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.XII.C.S2: Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.XII.C.S3: 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) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving systems and Equipment Malfunctions while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Ask the instructor applicant to identify hazards, including AI.XII.C.R1: Startle response, and teach how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the instructor applicant to explain, demonstrate, or coach the learner through 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, 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) 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:
      a. Electrical malfunction
    • AI.XII.C.K2b:
      b. Vacuum/pressure and associated flight instrument malfunctions
    • AI.XII.C.K2c:
      c. Pitot-static system malfunction
    • AI.XII.C.K2d:
      d. Electronic flight deck display malfunction
    • AI.XII.C.K2e:
      e. Landing gear or flap malfunction
    • AI.XII.C.K2f:
      f. 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.