Flight Instructor (Airplane) Elements of Effective Teaching in a Professional Environment Lesson Plan

Flight Instructor (Airplane) • ACS Area I, Task E

The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Elements of Effective Teaching in a Professional Environment Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Elements of Effective Teaching in a Professional Environment 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 elements of Effective Teaching in a Professional Environment.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant understands effects of instructor behavior on effective teaching, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Elements of Effective Teaching in a Professional Environment Lesson Plan

Materials

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Elements of Effective Teaching in a Professional Environment 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 I, Task E, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands effects of instructor behavior on effective teaching, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    • Teach the applicant how to fulfill aviation instructor responsibilities throughout planning, instruction, supervision, and assessment. (FI.I.E.K1)
      • Help learners establish realistic goals, recognize progress, and develop sound aviation habits. (FI.I.E.K1a)
      • Provide adequate instruction adapted to the learner's experience, needs, and rate of progress. (FI.I.E.K1b)
      • Train and assess performance against established standards rather than personal preference. (FI.I.E.K1c)
      • Emphasize successful performance while correcting errors clearly and constructively. (FI.I.E.K1d)
      • Recognize and minimize learner frustrations without lowering required standards. (FI.I.E.K1e)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain the flight instructor's responsibility for active supervision and surveillance during training, including timely intervention and positive transfer of aircraft control. (FI.I.E.K2)
    • Relate flight instructor qualifications and professionalism to preparation, technical competence, judgment, appearance, language, and reliability. (FI.I.E.K3)
    • Develop a continuing professional-development plan that maintains instructional and aeronautical competence. (FI.I.E.K4)
    • Apply the instructor's code of ethics to conduct, recordkeeping, endorsements, learner privacy, and honest representation of qualifications and performance. (FI.I.E.K5)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Use realistic training situations to identify how inadequate preparation, supervision, instruction, or assessment can prevent the instructor from fulfilling assigned responsibilities; require an effective corrective plan. (FI.I.E.R1)
    • Assess risks created by unprofessional conduct, including poor judgment, incomplete records, inappropriate pressure, weak boundaries, or instruction beyond the instructor's competence. (FI.I.E.R2)
    • Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
  • Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Have the applicant deliver ground or flight instruction on an evaluator-assigned task while consistently demonstrating the responsibilities and professional characteristics addressed in K1 through K5. (FI.I.E.S1)
    • 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) Elements of Effective Teaching in a Professional Environment Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Assign a ground or flight lesson involving a learner whose preparation, performance, or behavior requires the instructor applicant to adapt the lesson while preserving standards.
  • Require the applicant to identify supervision, instructional, ethical, and professionalism risks and explain how each will be controlled. (FI.I.E.R1) (FI.I.E.R2)
  • Have the applicant deliver the lesson while demonstrating adequate instruction, active supervision, constructive correction, professional conduct, and objective assessment. (FI.I.E.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) Elements of Effective Teaching in a Professional Environment 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) Elements of Effective Teaching in a Professional Environment Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Elements of Effective Teaching in a Professional Environment Airman Certification Standards

  • Note: The evaluator must select Task E, Task F, and at least one other Task for initial flight instructor applicants. During a practical test for an added flight instructor rating or flight instructor reinstatement, the evaluator has discretion to evaluate the applicant on Fundamentals of Instructing.
  • Task E: Elements of Effective Teaching in a Professional Environment.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands effects of instructor behavior on effective teaching, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-9 (Aviation Instructor’s Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge)
Knowledge 5 ACS Elements
  • FI.I.E.K1:
    Aviation instructor responsibilities, including:
    • FI.I.E.K1a:
      Helping learners
    • FI.I.E.K1b:
      Providing adequate instruction
    • FI.I.E.K1c:
      Training to established standards of performance
    • FI.I.E.K1d:
      Emphasizing the positive
    • FI.I.E.K1e:
      Minimizing learner frustrations
  • FI.I.E.K2:
    Flight instructor responsibilities, including supervision and surveillance during training.
  • FI.I.E.K3:
    Flight instructor qualifications and professionalism.
  • FI.I.E.K4:
    Professional development.
  • FI.I.E.K5:
    Instructor ethics and conduct.
Risk Management 2 ACS Elements
  • FI.I.E.R1:
    Fulfilling instructor responsibilities.
  • FI.I.E.R2:
    Exhibiting professionalism.
Skills 1 ACS Element
  • FI.I.E.S1:
    Deliver ground or flight instruction on an evaluator-assigned Task in a manner consistent with instructor responsibilities and professional characteristics as stated in K1 through K5.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Elements of Effective Teaching in a Professional Environment Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in elements of Effective Teaching in a Professional Environment 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.