Flight Instructor (Airplane) Learning Process Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Learning Process 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 learning Process.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant understands the learning process, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Learning Process 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) Learning Process 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 B, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands the learning process, 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 FI.I.B.K1: Definitions of learning.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of FI.I.B.K2: Learning theory as it applies to ground and flight instruction, including:
      • FI.I.B.K2a: a. Behaviorism
      • FI.I.B.K2b: b. Cognitive Theory
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of FI.I.B.K3: Perceptions and insight.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of FI.I.B.K4: Acquiring knowledge.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of FI.I.B.K5: Laws of learning.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of FI.I.B.K6: Domains of learning, including:
      • FI.I.B.K6a: a. Cognitive
      • FI.I.B.K6b: b. Affective
      • FI.I.B.K6c: c. Psychomotor
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of FI.I.B.K7: Characteristics of learning.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of FI.I.B.K8: Scenario-based training (SBT).
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of FI.I.B.K9: Acquiring skill knowledge, including:
      • FI.I.B.K9a: a. Stages
      • FI.I.B.K9b: b. Knowledge of results
      • FI.I.B.K9c: c. How to develop skills
      • FI.I.B.K9d: d. Learning plateaus
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of FI.I.B.K10: Types of practice.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of FI.I.B.K11: Evaluation versus critique.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of FI.I.B.K12: Distractions, interruptions, fixation, and inattention.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of FI.I.B.K13: Errors.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of FI.I.B.K14: Memory, including:
      • FI.I.B.K14a: a. Sensory
      • FI.I.B.K14b: b. Short-Term Memory (STM) and Long-Term Memory (LTM)
      • FI.I.B.K14c: c. How usage affects memory
      • FI.I.B.K14d: d. Forgetting
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of FI.I.B.K15: Retention of learning.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of FI.I.B.K16: Transfer of learning.
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate FI.I.B.R1: Inadequate or incomplete instruction.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate FI.I.B.R2: Lack of learner motivation.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate FI.I.B.R3: Recognizing and correcting learner errors.
    • 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 FI.I.B.S1: Apply educational theories to ground and flight instruction.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on FI.I.B.S2: Recognize and correct conditions that undermine the learning process.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on FI.I.B.S3: Plan for and use techniques, including realistic distractions that teach flight students how to manage a workload.
    • 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) Learning Process Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving learning Process while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Ask the instructor applicant to identify hazards, including FI.I.B.R1: Inadequate or incomplete instruction, and teach how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the instructor applicant to explain, demonstrate, or coach the learner through FI.I.B.S1: Apply educational theories to ground and flight instruction, 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) Learning Process 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) Learning Process Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Learning Process 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 B: Learning Process.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands the learning process, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-25
Knowledge 16 ACS Elements
  • FI.I.B.K1:
    Definitions of learning.
  • FI.I.B.K2:
    Learning theory as it applies to ground and flight instruction, including:
    • FI.I.B.K2a:
      a. Behaviorism
    • FI.I.B.K2b:
      b. Cognitive Theory
  • FI.I.B.K3:
    Perceptions and insight.
  • FI.I.B.K4:
    Acquiring knowledge.
  • FI.I.B.K5:
    Laws of learning.
  • FI.I.B.K6:
    Domains of learning, including:
    • FI.I.B.K6a:
      a. Cognitive
    • FI.I.B.K6b:
      b. Affective
    • FI.I.B.K6c:
      c. Psychomotor
  • FI.I.B.K7:
    Characteristics of learning.
  • FI.I.B.K8:
    Scenario-based training (SBT).
  • FI.I.B.K9:
    Acquiring skill knowledge, including:
    • FI.I.B.K9a:
      a. Stages
    • FI.I.B.K9b:
      b. Knowledge of results
    • FI.I.B.K9c:
      c. How to develop skills
    • FI.I.B.K9d:
      d. Learning plateaus
  • FI.I.B.K10:
    Types of practice.
  • FI.I.B.K11:
    Evaluation versus critique.
  • FI.I.B.K12:
    Distractions, interruptions, fixation, and inattention.
  • FI.I.B.K13:
    Errors.
  • FI.I.B.K14:
    Memory, including:
    • FI.I.B.K14a:
      a. Sensory
    • FI.I.B.K14b:
      b. Short-Term Memory (STM) and Long-Term Memory (LTM)
    • FI.I.B.K14c:
      c. How usage affects memory
    • FI.I.B.K14d:
      d. Forgetting
  • FI.I.B.K15:
    Retention of learning.
  • FI.I.B.K16:
    Transfer of learning.
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
  • FI.I.B.R1:
    Inadequate or incomplete instruction.
  • FI.I.B.R2:
    Lack of learner motivation.
  • FI.I.B.R3:
    Recognizing and correcting learner errors.
Skills 3 ACS Elements
  • FI.I.B.S1:
    Apply educational theories to ground and flight instruction.
  • FI.I.B.S2:
    Recognize and correct conditions that undermine the learning process.
  • FI.I.B.S3:
    Plan for and use techniques, including realistic distractions that teach flight students how to manage a workload.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Learning Process Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in learning Process 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.