Flight Instructor (Airplane) Student Evaluation, Assessment, and Testing Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Student Evaluation, Assessment, and Testing 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 student Evaluation, Assessment, and Testing.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

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

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Student Evaluation, Assessment, and Testing Lesson Plan

Materials

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Student Evaluation, Assessment, and Testing 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 D, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands evaluation and testing, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    • Teach the purpose and characteristics of effective assessment, and require the instructor applicant to distinguish useful evidence from unsupported impressions. (FI.I.D.K1)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply the design, use, strengths, and limitations of traditional assessments, including valid written questions and objective grading criteria. (FI.I.D.K2)
    • Teach and compare authentic assessment methods, including: (FI.I.D.K3)
    • Have the instructor applicant choose an effective assessment method based on the objective, level of learning, desired behavior, training environment, and available evidence. (FI.I.D.K4)
    • Teach the purposes and appropriate use of instructor-led, learner-led, group, written, oral, and self-critiques. (FI.I.D.K5)
    • Teach and model effective oral assessment, including: (FI.I.D.K6)
      • Characteristics of effective questions (FI.I.D.K6a)
      • Types of questions to avoid (FI.I.D.K6b)
      • Answering learner questions (FI.I.D.K6c)
    • Teach assessment of piloting ability using observable standards, continuous risk awareness, timely feedback, learner participation, and reteaching when needed. (FI.I.D.K7)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the instructor applicant to deliver an assessment that is objective, specific, constructive, organized, and proportionate, without humiliating the learner, overlooking safety deficiencies, or allowing bias and personal preference to distort the result. (FI.I.D.R1)
    • 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 select and use appropriate methods to assess learner performance during representative ground or flight training, support findings with observable evidence, and provide actionable feedback. (FI.I.D.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) Student Evaluation, Assessment, and Testing Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach an evaluation, assessment, and testing lesson while maintaining an organized lesson flow and meaningful learner participation.
  • Provide mixed evidence from a learner's ground or flight performance and require an objective assessment that identifies strengths, deficiencies, risk-management concerns, and an appropriate next instructional step. (FI.I.D.R1)
  • Require the instructor applicant to select and apply an assessment method suited to the objective, environment, and evidence, then deliver specific and constructive feedback. (FI.I.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.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Student Evaluation, Assessment, and Testing 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) Student Evaluation, Assessment, and Testing Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Student Evaluation, Assessment, and Testing 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 D: Student Evaluation, Assessment, and Testing.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands evaluation and testing, 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 7 ACS Elements
  • FI.I.D.K1:
    Purpose and characteristics of effective assessment.
  • FI.I.D.K2:
    Traditional assessments.
  • FI.I.D.K3:
    Authentic assessments, including:
    • FI.I.D.K3a:
      Learner-centered assessment
    • FI.I.D.K3b:
      Maneuver or procedure grades
    • FI.I.D.K3c:
      Assessing risk management skills
  • FI.I.D.K4:
    Choosing an effective assessment method.
  • FI.I.D.K5:
    Purposes and types of critiques.
  • FI.I.D.K6:
    Oral assessment, including:
    • FI.I.D.K6a:
      Characteristics of effective questions
    • FI.I.D.K6b:
      Types of questions to avoid
    • FI.I.D.K6c:
      Answering learner questions
  • FI.I.D.K7:
    Assessment of piloting ability.
Risk Management 1 ACS Element
  • FI.I.D.R1:
    Delivering an assessment.
Skills 1 ACS Element
  • FI.I.D.S1:
    Use appropriate methods and techniques to assess learner performance in ground or flight training.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Student Evaluation, Assessment, and Testing Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in student Evaluation, Assessment, and Testing 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.