Flight Instructor (Airplane) Before Takeoff Check Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Before Takeoff Check 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 before Takeoff Check.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant understands before takeoff checks, 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) Before Takeoff Check 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) Before Takeoff Check 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 V, Task F, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands before takeoff checks, 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.V.F.K1: Purpose of before takeoff checklist items, including:
      • AI.V.F.K1a: a. Reasons for checking each item
      • AI.V.F.K1b: b. Detecting malfunctions
      • AI.V.F.K1c: c. Ensuring the aircraft is in safe operating condition as recommended by the manufacturer
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.V.F.R1: Division of attention while conducting before takeoff checks.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.V.F.R2: Unexpected runway changes by air traffic control (ATC).
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.V.F.R3: Wake turbulence.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.V.F.R4: Potential powerplant failure during takeoff or other malfunction considering operational factors such as airplane characteristics, runway/takeoff path length, surface conditions, environmental conditions, and obstructions.
    • 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.V.F.S1: Review takeoff performance.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.V.F.S2: Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.V.F.S3: Position the airplane appropriately considering wind direction and the presence of any aircraft, vessels, or buildings as applicable.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.V.F.S4: Divide attention inside and outside the flight deck.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.V.F.S5: Verify that engine parameters and airplane configuration are suitable.
    • 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) Before Takeoff Check Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving before Takeoff Check while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Ask the instructor applicant to identify hazards, including AI.V.F.R1: Division of attention while conducting before takeoff checks, and teach how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the instructor applicant to explain, demonstrate, or coach the learner through AI.V.F.S1: Review takeoff performance, 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) Before Takeoff Check 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) Before Takeoff Check Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Before Takeoff Check Airman Certification Standards

  • Note: The evaluator must select at least one Task from this Area of Operation.
  • Task F: Before Takeoff Check.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands before takeoff checks, 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-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
Knowledge 1 ACS Element
  • AI.V.F.K1:
    Purpose of before takeoff checklist items, including:
    • AI.V.F.K1a:
      a. Reasons for checking each item
    • AI.V.F.K1b:
      b. Detecting malfunctions
    • AI.V.F.K1c:
      c. Ensuring the aircraft is in safe operating condition as recommended by the manufacturer
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
  • AI.V.F.R1:
    Division of attention while conducting before takeoff checks.
  • AI.V.F.R2:
    Unexpected runway changes by air traffic control (ATC).
  • AI.V.F.R3:
    Wake turbulence.
  • AI.V.F.R4:
    Potential powerplant failure during takeoff or other malfunction considering operational factors such as airplane characteristics, runway/takeoff path length, surface conditions, environmental conditions, and obstructions.
Skills 5 ACS Elements
  • AI.V.F.S1:
    Review takeoff performance.
  • AI.V.F.S2:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • AI.V.F.S3:
    Position the airplane appropriately considering wind direction and the presence of any aircraft, vessels, or buildings as applicable.
  • AI.V.F.S4:
    Divide attention inside and outside the flight deck.
  • AI.V.F.S5:
    Verify that engine parameters and airplane configuration are suitable.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Before Takeoff Check Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in before Takeoff Check 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.