Flight Instructor (Airplane) Weather Information Lesson Plan

Flight Instructor (Airplane) • ACS Area III, Task C

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Weather Information 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 weather Information.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

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

Help Us Grow

Enjoy CFI Notebook? A one-time donation helps us create more high-quality lessons, quizzes, scenarios, graphics, and interactive tools.

One-Time Donation
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Weather Information 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) Weather Information 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 III, Task C, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands weather information, 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.III.C.K1: Sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.III.C.K2: Acceptable weather products and resources required for preflight planning, current and forecast weather for departure, en route, and arrival phases of flight such as:
      • AI.III.C.K2a: a. Airport Observations (METAR and SPECI) and Pilot Observations (PIREP)
      • AI.III.C.K2b: b. Surface Analysis Chart, Ceiling and Visibility Chart (CVA)
      • AI.III.C.K2c: c. Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)
      • AI.III.C.K2d: d. Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA)
      • AI.III.C.K2e: e. Wind and Temperature Aloft Forecast (FB)
      • AI.III.C.K2f: f. Convective Outlook (AC)
      • AI.III.C.K2g: g. Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories including Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET), Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET), and Convective SIGMET
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.III.C.K3: Meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination under visual flight rules (VFR) in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), including expected climate and hazardous conditions such as:
      • AI.III.C.K3a: a. Atmospheric composition and stability
      • AI.III.C.K3b: b. Wind (e.g., windshear, mountain wave, factors affecting wind, etc.)
      • AI.III.C.K3c: c. Temperature and heat exchange
      • AI.III.C.K3d: d. Moisture/precipitation
      • AI.III.C.K3e: e. Weather system formation, including air masses and fronts
      • AI.III.C.K3f: f. Clouds
      • AI.III.C.K3g: g. Turbulence
      • AI.III.C.K3h: h. Thunderstorms and microbursts
      • AI.III.C.K3i: i. Icing and freezing level information
      • AI.III.C.K3j: j. Fog/mist
      • AI.III.C.K3k: k. Frost
      • AI.III.C.K3l: l. Obstructions to visibility (e.g., smoke, haze, volcanic ash, etc.)
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.III.C.K4: Flight deck instrument displays of digital weather and aeronautical information.
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.III.C.R1: Making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, including:
      • AI.III.C.R1a: a. Circumstances that would make diversion prudent
      • AI.III.C.R1b: b. Personal weather minimums
      • AI.III.C.R1c: c. Hazardous weather conditions, including known or forecast icing or turbulence aloft
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.III.C.R2: Use and limitations of:
      • AI.III.C.R2a: a. Installed onboard weather equipment
      • AI.III.C.R2b: b. Aviation weather reports and forecasts
      • AI.III.C.R2c: c. Inflight weather resources
    • 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.III.C.S1: Use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.III.C.S2: Analyze the implications of at least three of the conditions listed in K3a through K3l, using actual weather or weather conditions provided by the evaluator.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.III.C.S3: Correlate weather information to make a go/no-go decision.
    • 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) Weather Information Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving weather Information while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Ask the instructor applicant to identify hazards, including AI.III.C.R1: Making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, including:, and teach how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the instructor applicant to explain, demonstrate, or coach the learner through AI.III.C.S1: Use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing, 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) Weather Information 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) Weather Information Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Weather Information Airman Certification Standards

  • Note: The evaluator must select at least one Task from this Area of Operation.
  • Task C: Weather Information.
  • Note: If K2 is selected, the evaluator must assess the applicant’s knowledge of at least three sub-elements.
  • Note: If K3 is selected, the evaluator must assess the applicant’s knowledge of at least three sub-elements.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands weather information, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; AC 91-92; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-25, FAA-H-8083-28
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
  • AI.III.C.K1:
    Sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes.
  • AI.III.C.K2:
    Acceptable weather products and resources required for preflight planning, current and forecast weather for departure, en route, and arrival phases of flight such as:
    • AI.III.C.K2a:
      a. Airport Observations (METAR and SPECI) and Pilot Observations (PIREP)
    • AI.III.C.K2b:
      b. Surface Analysis Chart, Ceiling and Visibility Chart (CVA)
    • AI.III.C.K2c:
      c. Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)
    • AI.III.C.K2d:
      d. Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA)
    • AI.III.C.K2e:
      e. Wind and Temperature Aloft Forecast (FB)
    • AI.III.C.K2f:
      f. Convective Outlook (AC)
    • AI.III.C.K2g:
      g. Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories including Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET), Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET), and Convective SIGMET
  • AI.III.C.K3:
    Meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination under visual flight rules (VFR) in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), including expected climate and hazardous conditions such as:
    • AI.III.C.K3a:
      a. Atmospheric composition and stability
    • AI.III.C.K3b:
      b. Wind (e.g., windshear, mountain wave, factors affecting wind, etc.)
    • AI.III.C.K3c:
      c. Temperature and heat exchange
    • AI.III.C.K3d:
      d. Moisture/precipitation
    • AI.III.C.K3e:
      e. Weather system formation, including air masses and fronts
    • AI.III.C.K3f:
      f. Clouds
    • AI.III.C.K3g:
      g. Turbulence
    • AI.III.C.K3h:
      h. Thunderstorms and microbursts
    • AI.III.C.K3i:
      i. Icing and freezing level information
    • AI.III.C.K3j:
      j. Fog/mist
    • AI.III.C.K3k:
      k. Frost
    • AI.III.C.K3l:
      l. Obstructions to visibility (e.g., smoke, haze, volcanic ash, etc.)
  • AI.III.C.K4:
    Flight deck instrument displays of digital weather and aeronautical information.
Risk Management 2 ACS Elements
  • AI.III.C.R1:
    Making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, including:
    • AI.III.C.R1a:
      a. Circumstances that would make diversion prudent
    • AI.III.C.R1b:
      b. Personal weather minimums
    • AI.III.C.R1c:
      c. Hazardous weather conditions, including known or forecast icing or turbulence aloft
  • AI.III.C.R2:
    Use and limitations of:
    • AI.III.C.R2a:
      a. Installed onboard weather equipment
    • AI.III.C.R2b:
      b. Aviation weather reports and forecasts
    • AI.III.C.R2c:
      c. Inflight weather resources
Skills 3 ACS Elements
  • AI.III.C.S1:
    Use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing.
  • AI.III.C.S2:
    Analyze the implications of at least three of the conditions listed in K3a through K3l, using actual weather or weather conditions provided by the evaluator.
  • AI.III.C.S3:
    Correlate weather information to make a go/no-go decision.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Weather Information Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in weather Information 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.