Flight Instructor (Airplane) Ground Reference Maneuvers Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Ground Reference Maneuvers 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 ground Reference Maneuvers.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

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

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Ground Reference Maneuvers Lesson Plan

Materials

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Ground Reference Maneuvers Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Review the maneuver's common errors and assess the learner's understanding of their mitigations.
  • 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 E, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands ground reference maneuvers, 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 how rectangular courses, S-turns, and turns around a point develop wind correction, ground-track control, divided attention, and traffic-pattern proficiency. (AI.IX.E.K1)
    • Teach the learner to visualize wind direction and velocity, anticipate drift, and vary crab and bank continuously to maintain the desired ground track. (AI.IX.E.K2)
    • Relate groundspeed and bank angle to turn rate and radius, emphasizing steeper banks where groundspeed is highest and shallower banks where it is lowest. (AI.IX.E.K3)
    • Connect rectangular-course entries, wind correction, spacing, and turns to their practical application in an airport traffic pattern. (AI.IX.E.K4)
    • Identify, demonstrate, and correct common errors such as poor wind analysis, fixation on the reference, improper altitude or airspeed, and uncoordinated turns. (AI.IX.E.K5)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Use a deliberate scan that divides attention among aircraft control, traffic, terrain, wind cues, and the selected ground reference. (AI.IX.E.R1)
    • Control collision hazards through clearing turns, continuous traffic scanning, and selection of an uncongested practice area. (AI.IX.E.R2)
    • Maintain safe altitude, bank, and recovery margins to prevent stalls, spins, and controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) during low-altitude maneuvering. (AI.IX.E.R3)
    • Manage distractions and task priorities so situational awareness and orientation are not sacrificed while correcting the ground track. (AI.IX.E.R4)
    • Recognize and correct slips, skids, and excessive bank before they degrade performance or increase stall/spin risk. (AI.IX.E.R5)
    • 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.E.S1)
    • Select a suitable ground reference area, line, or point that provides adequate clearance from people, structures, obstructions, and congested areas. (AI.IX.E.S2)
    • Plan and brief the entry appropriate to the selected maneuver: (AI.IX.E.S3)
      • Rectangular course: enter a left or right pattern, 600 to 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL) at an appropriate distance from the selected reference area, 45° to the downwind leg (AI.IX.E.S3a)
      • S-turns: enter perpendicular to the selected reference line, 600 to 1,000 feet AGL at an appropriate distance from the selected reference area (AI.IX.E.S3b)
      • Turns around a point: enter at an appropriate distance from the reference point, 600 to 1,000 feet AGL at an appropriate distance from the selected reference area (AI.IX.E.S3c)
    • Apply continuous wind-drift correction to maintain the specified rectangular ground track or constant-radius path around the selected line or point. (AI.IX.E.S4)
    • For S-turns, reverse the turn directly over the reference line; for turns around a point, complete turns in the specified direction. (AI.IX.E.S5)
    • Divide attention among coordinated aircraft control, traffic avoidance, and ground-track accuracy. (AI.IX.E.S6)
    • Maintain altitude within ±100 feet and airspeed within ±10 knots. (AI.IX.E.S7)
    • Analyze learner performance and correct common errors without compromising positive aircraft control. (AI.IX.E.S8)
    • 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) Ground Reference Maneuvers Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving ground reference maneuvers while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Require selection of a suitable reference and safe practice area, a traffic-clearing plan, and a briefing of attention, collision, terrain, distraction, and coordination risks. (AI.IX.E.R1–R5; AI.IX.E.S1–S2)
  • Have the applicant teach and coach the entry and execution of a rectangular course, S-turns, or turns around a point while correcting for changing groundspeed and drift. (AI.IX.E.K2–K4; AI.IX.E.S3–S7)
  • Introduce an error such as fixation, incorrect wind correction, altitude or airspeed deviation, or uncoordinated flight; require timely intervention and learner-centered correction. (AI.IX.E.K5; AI.IX.E.S8)
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to the ACS knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Ground Reference Maneuvers Lesson Plan

Student Actions

  • Review the maneuver's common errors and explain how to prevent and correct each applicable error.
  • 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) Ground Reference Maneuvers Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Ground Reference Maneuvers 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 E: Ground Reference Maneuvers.
  • Note: The evaluator selects at least one ground reference maneuver for the applicant to demonstrate.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands ground reference maneuvers, 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 5 ACS Elements
  • AI.IX.E.K1:
    Purpose of and procedures for ground reference maneuvers.
  • AI.IX.E.K2:
    Effects of wind on ground track and relation to a ground reference.
  • AI.IX.E.K3:
    Effects of bank angle and groundspeed on rate and radius of turn.
  • AI.IX.E.K4:
    Relationship of rectangular course to airport traffic pattern.
  • AI.IX.E.K5:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
  • AI.IX.E.R1:
    Division of attention between aircraft control and orientation.
  • AI.IX.E.R2:
    Collision hazards.
  • AI.IX.E.R3:
    Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • AI.IX.E.R4:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • AI.IX.E.R5:
    Uncoordinated flight.
Skills 8 ACS Elements
  • AI.IX.E.S1:
    Clear the area.
  • AI.IX.E.S2:
    Select a suitable ground reference area, line, or point as appropriate.
  • AI.IX.E.S3:
    Plan the maneuver:
    • AI.IX.E.S3a:
      Rectangular course: enter a left or right pattern, 600 to 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL) at an appropriate distance from the selected reference area, 45° to the downwind leg
    • AI.IX.E.S3b:
      S-turns: enter perpendicular to the selected reference line, 600 to 1,000 feet AGL at an appropriate distance from the selected reference area
    • AI.IX.E.S3c:
      Turns around a point: enter at an appropriate distance from the reference point, 600 to 1,000 feet AGL at an appropriate distance from the selected reference area
  • AI.IX.E.S4:
    Apply adequate wind-drift correction during straight and turning flight to maintain a constant ground track around a rectangular reference area, or to maintain a constant radius turn on each side of a selected reference line or point.
  • AI.IX.E.S5:
    If performing S-Turns, reverse the turn directly over the selected reference line; if performing turns around a point, complete turns in either direction, as specified by the evaluator.
  • AI.IX.E.S6:
    Divide attention between airplane control, traffic avoidance and the ground track while maintaining coordinated flight.
  • AI.IX.E.S7:
    Maintain altitude ±100 feet; maintain airspeed ±10 knots.
  • AI.IX.E.S8:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Ground Reference Maneuvers Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in ground Reference Maneuvers 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.