Flight Instructor (Airplane) Flight Deck Management Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Flight Deck Management 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 flight Deck Management.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

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

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Flight Deck Management 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, Notices to Airmen (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) Flight Deck Management 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 B, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands flight deck management, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply passenger-briefing requirements and techniques, including safety-restraint operation and use, doors, exits, sterile-flight-deck expectations, propeller avoidance, emergency procedures, and passenger-specific needs. (AI.V.B.K1)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply disciplined use of appropriate checklists, including challenge-response or do-verify techniques and management of interruptions. (AI.V.B.K2)
    • Verify that navigation databases, charts, and other aeronautical data are current, appropriate, understood, and backed by a practical alternative. (AI.V.B.K3)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply placement and restraint of loose items, baggage, cargo, and electronic devices so they do not interfere with controls, exits, occupants, weight and balance, or evacuation. (AI.V.B.K4)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Manage risks created by aircraft systems, automation, and portable electronic devices, including programming errors, mode confusion, fixation, database limitations, power loss, overheating, and interference. (AI.V.B.R1)
    • Identify inoperative equipment and apply the governing airworthiness and operational decision process before relying on remaining systems. (AI.V.B.R2)
    • Brief and manage passenger behavior to prevent distraction, interference with controls, unsafe movement, or interruption during critical phases. (AI.V.B.R3)
    • Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
  • Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Inspect and secure all items, baggage, cargo, and equipment in the aircraft. (AI.V.B.S1)
    • Conduct an appropriate passenger briefing identifying the pilot in command and covering restraints, doors, conduct, sterile-flight-deck expectations, propeller avoidance, and emergency procedures. (AI.V.B.S2)
    • Program, verify, monitor, and manage the aircraft's automation while maintaining manual-flight readiness and situational awareness. (AI.V.B.S3)
    • Apply ADM and appropriate SRM or CRM to manage workload, automation, passengers, equipment, and changing conditions. (AI.V.B.S4)
    • 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) Flight Deck Management Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving flight Deck Management while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Present a flight with an unfamiliar passenger, a loose item, outdated or unavailable navigation data, an automation-programming error, and inoperative equipment; require the applicant to prioritize and control the risks. (AI.V.B.R1) (AI.V.B.R2) (AI.V.B.R3)
  • Have the applicant secure the cabin, conduct the passenger briefing, program and verify automation, and use ADM/SRM or CRM to resolve the scenario without allowing automation or passengers to dominate attention. (AI.V.B.S1) (AI.V.B.S2) (AI.V.B.S3) (AI.V.B.S4)
  • 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) Flight Deck Management 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) Flight Deck Management Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Flight Deck Management Airman Certification Standards

  • Note: The evaluator must select at least one Task from this Area of Operation.
  • Task B: Flight Deck Management.
  • Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands flight deck management, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; AC 120-71; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
  • AI.V.B.K1:
    Passenger briefing requirements, including operation and required use of safety restraint systems.
  • AI.V.B.K2:
    Use of appropriate checklists.
  • AI.V.B.K3:
    Requirements for current and appropriate navigation data.
  • AI.V.B.K4:
    Securing items and cargo.
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
  • AI.V.B.R1:
    Use of systems or equipment, including automation and portable electronic devices.
  • AI.V.B.R2:
    Inoperative equipment.
  • AI.V.B.R3:
    Passenger distractions.
Skills 4 ACS Elements
  • AI.V.B.S1:
    Secure all items in the aircraft.
  • AI.V.B.S2:
    Conduct an appropriate passenger briefing, including identifying the pilot-in-command (PIC), use of safety belts, shoulder harnesses, doors, passenger conduct, sterile aircraft, propeller blade avoidance, and emergency procedures.
  • AI.V.B.S3:
    Properly program and manage the aircraft’s automation, as applicable.
  • AI.V.B.S4:
    Appropriately manage risks by utilizing ADM, including SRM/CRM.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Flight Deck Management Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in flight Deck Management 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.