Flight Instructor (Airplane) Eights on Pylons (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

Flight Instructor (Airplane) • ACS Area IX, Task F

The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Eights on Pylons (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Eights on Pylons (ASEL, ASES) 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 eights on Pylons (ASEL (Airplane Single-Engine Land), ASES (Airplane Single-Engine Sea)).
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

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

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Eights on Pylons (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

Materials

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Eights on Pylons (ASEL, ASES) 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 IX, Task F, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands eights on pylons, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain the purpose and sequence of eights on pylons as an advanced ground-reference maneuver that develops pivotal-altitude control, coordination, planning, and divided attention. (AI.IX.F.K1)
    • Relate lift, load factor, groundspeed, bank, and coordination to the maneuver, including the hazards of slips and skids. (AI.IX.F.K2)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain pivotal altitude, calculate an approximate starting altitude, and show why it varies directly with groundspeed squared. (AI.IX.F.K3)
    • Have the learner use a concrete example to explain how wind changes groundspeed, pivotal altitude, bank, and the ground track around each pylon. (AI.IX.F.K4)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply pylon selection, entry planning, the turn about each pylon, the transition between pylons, and recovery to straight-and-level flight. (AI.IX.F.K5)
    • Identify, demonstrate, and correct common errors such as poor pylon selection, chasing the pylon with bank, improper altitude corrections, and uncoordinated flight. (AI.IX.F.K6)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Use a deliberate scan that divides attention among aircraft control, traffic, terrain, wind cues, and pylon position. (AI.IX.F.R1)
    • Control collision hazards through clearing turns, continuous traffic scanning, and selection of an uncongested practice area. (AI.IX.F.R2)
    • Maintain safe altitude, bank, and recovery margins to prevent stalls, spins, and controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). (AI.IX.F.R3)
    • Manage distractions and task priorities so orientation and situational awareness are not sacrificed while tracking a pylon. (AI.IX.F.R4)
    • Recognize and correct slips, skids, and excessive bank before they degrade performance or increase stall/spin risk. (AI.IX.F.R5)
    • Manage airspeed, altitude, and bank so the airplane retains adequate energy and controllability throughout both turns and the transition. (AI.IX.F.R6)
    • Select terrain that preserves emergency landing options and establish discontinue criteria if those options deteriorate. (AI.IX.F.R7)
    • Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
  • Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Clear the area and maintain an effective traffic scan. (AI.IX.F.S1)
    • Determine the approximate pivotal altitude for the expected groundspeed. (AI.IX.F.S2)
    • Select suitable pylons that permit straight-and-level flight between them and provide safe terrain and emergency landing options. (AI.IX.F.S3)
    • Enter in the correct direction and position at an appropriate altitude and airspeed. (AI.IX.F.S4)
    • Establish the bank required by the conditions without exceeding 40°. (AI.IX.F.S5)
    • Use smooth, continuous pitch corrections so the line-of-sight reference remains fixed on the pylon. (AI.IX.F.S6)
    • Divide attention between accurate, coordinated aircraft control and outside visual references. (AI.IX.F.S7)
    • Maintain pylon position by adjusting pivotal altitude appropriately while avoiding slips and skids. (AI.IX.F.S8)
    • Analyze learner performance and correct common errors without compromising positive aircraft control. (AI.IX.F.S9)
    • 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) Eights on Pylons (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving eights on pylons (ASEL, ASES) while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Require selection of suitable pylons and terrain, an approximate pivotal altitude, a traffic-clearing plan, and controls for attention, collision, terrain, coordination, energy, and emergency-landing risks. (AI.IX.F.R1–R7; AI.IX.F.S1–S3)
  • Have the applicant teach and coach the entry, first pylon, transition, second pylon, and recovery while using pitch—not bank—to correct pylon movement. (AI.IX.F.K3–K5; AI.IX.F.S4–S8)
  • Introduce an error such as chasing the pylon with bank, improper pitch correction, fixation, or uncoordinated flight; require timely intervention and learner-centered correction. (AI.IX.F.K6; AI.IX.F.S9)
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to the ACS knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Eights on Pylons (ASEL, ASES) 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) Eights on Pylons (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Eights on Pylons (ASEL, ASES) Airman Certification Standards

  • Note: For ASEL or ASES, the evaluator must select at least four Tasks including Task A or B, Task C or D, and Tasks E and F from Area of Operation IX , Performance and Ground Reference Maneuvers. For AMEL or AMES the evaluator must select at least Tasks A and E.
  • Task F: Eights on Pylons (ASEL, ASES).
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands eights on pylons, 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-8083-25; POH/AFM
Knowledge 6 ACS Elements
  • AI.IX.F.K1:
    Purpose of and procedures for eights on pylons.
  • AI.IX.F.K2:
    Aerodynamics associated with the eights on pylons, including coordinated and uncoordinated flight.
  • AI.IX.F.K3:
    Pivotal altitude and factors that affect it.
  • AI.IX.F.K4:
    Effect of wind on ground track.
  • AI.IX.F.K5:
    Phases of the eights on pylons maneuver from entry to recovery.
  • AI.IX.F.K6:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
  • AI.IX.F.R1:
    Division of attention between aircraft control and orientation.
  • AI.IX.F.R2:
    Collision hazards.
  • AI.IX.F.R3:
    Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • AI.IX.F.R4:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • AI.IX.F.R5:
    Uncoordinated flight.
  • AI.IX.F.R6:
    Energy management.
  • AI.IX.F.R7:
    Emergency landing considerations.
Skills 9 ACS Elements
  • AI.IX.F.S1:
    Clear the area.
  • AI.IX.F.S2:
    Determine the approximate pivotal altitude.
  • AI.IX.F.S3:
    Select suitable pylons that permits straight-and-level flight between the pylons.
  • AI.IX.F.S4:
    Enter the maneuver in the correct direction and position using an appropriate altitude and airspeed.
  • AI.IX.F.S5:
    Establish the correct bank angle for the conditions, not to exceed 40°.
  • AI.IX.F.S6:
    Apply smooth and continuous corrections so that the line-of-sight reference line remains on the pylon.
  • AI.IX.F.S7:
    Divide attention between accurate, coordinated airplane control and outside visual references.
  • AI.IX.F.S8:
    Maintain pylon position using appropriate pivotal altitude, avoiding slips and skids.
  • AI.IX.F.S9:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Eights on Pylons (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in eights on Pylons (ASEL, ASES) 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.