Flight Instructor (Airplane) Steep Spiral (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Steep Spiral (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 steep Spiral (ASEL, ASES).
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

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

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Steep Spiral (ASEL, ASES) 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) Steep Spiral (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 B, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands steep spirals, 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 AI.IX.B.K1: Purpose of and procedures for a proper steep spiral.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.IX.B.K2: Relationship to emergency landing procedures.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.IX.B.K3: Maintaining a constant radius about a point.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.IX.B.K4: Effects of wind on ground track and relation to a ground reference.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.IX.B.K5: Common errors related to this Task.
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.IX.B.R1: Division of attention between aircraft control and orientation.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.IX.B.R2: Collision hazards.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.IX.B.R3: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.IX.B.R4: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.IX.B.R5: Uncoordinated flight.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.IX.B.R6: Effects of wind.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.IX.B.R7: Airframe or airspeed limitations.
    • 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 AI.IX.B.S1: Clear the area.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.IX.B.S2: Select an altitude sufficient to continue through a series of at least three, 360° turns.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.IX.B.S3: Establish and maintain a steep spiral, not to exceed 60° angle of bank, to maintain a constant radius about a suitable ground reference point.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.IX.B.S4: Apply wind-drift correction to track a constant radius circle around selected reference point with bank not to exceed 60° a steepest point in turn.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.IX.B.S5: Divide attention between airplane control, traffic avoidance and the ground track while maintaining coordinated flight.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.IX.B.S6: Maintain the specified airspeed, ±10 knots and roll out toward an object or specified heading, ±10°, and complete the maneuver no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL).
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.IX.B.S7: Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
    • 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) Steep Spiral (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving steep Spiral (ASEL, ASES) while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Ask the instructor applicant to identify hazards, including AI.IX.B.R1: Division of attention between aircraft control and orientation, and teach how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the instructor applicant to explain, demonstrate, or coach the learner through AI.IX.B.S1: Clear the area, 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) Steep Spiral (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) Steep Spiral (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Steep Spiral (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 B: Steep Spiral (ASEL, ASES).
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands steep spirals, 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.B.K1:
    Purpose of and procedures for a proper steep spiral.
  • AI.IX.B.K2:
    Relationship to emergency landing procedures.
  • AI.IX.B.K3:
    Maintaining a constant radius about a point.
  • AI.IX.B.K4:
    Effects of wind on ground track and relation to a ground reference.
  • AI.IX.B.K5:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
  • AI.IX.B.R1:
    Division of attention between aircraft control and orientation.
  • AI.IX.B.R2:
    Collision hazards.
  • AI.IX.B.R3:
    Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • AI.IX.B.R4:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • AI.IX.B.R5:
    Uncoordinated flight.
  • AI.IX.B.R6:
    Effects of wind.
  • AI.IX.B.R7:
    Airframe or airspeed limitations.
Skills 7 ACS Elements
  • AI.IX.B.S1:
    Clear the area.
  • AI.IX.B.S2:
    Select an altitude sufficient to continue through a series of at least three, 360° turns.
  • AI.IX.B.S3:
    Establish and maintain a steep spiral, not to exceed 60° angle of bank, to maintain a constant radius about a suitable ground reference point.
  • AI.IX.B.S4:
    Apply wind-drift correction to track a constant radius circle around selected reference point with bank not to exceed 60° a steepest point in turn.
  • AI.IX.B.S5:
    Divide attention between airplane control, traffic avoidance and the ground track while maintaining coordinated flight.
  • AI.IX.B.S6:
    Maintain the specified airspeed, ±10 knots and roll out toward an object or specified heading, ±10°, and complete the maneuver no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL).
  • AI.IX.B.S7:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Steep Spiral (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in steep Spiral (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.