Flight Instructor (Airplane) Preflight Assessment Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Preflight Assessment 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 preflight Assessment.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

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

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Preflight Assessment 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) Preflight Assessment 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 A, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands preflight assessment, 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.A.K1: Pilot self-assessment.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.V.A.K2: Determining that the airplane to be used is appropriate and airworthy.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.V.A.K3: Airplane preflight inspection, including:
      • AI.V.A.K3a: a. Which items should be inspected
      • AI.V.A.K3b: b. The reasons for checking each item
      • AI.V.A.K3c: c. How to detect possible defects
      • AI.V.A.K3d: d. The associated regulations
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.V.A.K4: Environmental factors, including weather, terrain, route selection, and obstructions.
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.V.A.R1: Pilot.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.V.A.R2: Aircraft.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.V.A.R3: Environment (e.g., weather, airports, airspace, terrain, obstacles).
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.V.A.R4: External pressures.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.V.A.R5: Aviation security concerns.
    • 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.A.S1: Inspect the airplane with reference to an appropriate checklist.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.V.A.S2: Verify the airplane is in condition for safe flight and conforms to its type design.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.V.A.S3: Perform self-assessment.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.V.A.S4: Continue to assess the environment for safe flight.
    • 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) Preflight Assessment Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving preflight Assessment while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Ask the instructor applicant to identify hazards, including AI.V.A.R1: Pilot, and teach how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the instructor applicant to explain, demonstrate, or coach the learner through AI.V.A.S1: Inspect the airplane with reference to an appropriate checklist, 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) Preflight Assessment 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) Preflight Assessment Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Preflight Assessment Airman Certification Standards

  • Note: The evaluator must select at least one Task from this Area of Operation.
  • Task A: Preflight Assessment.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands preflight assessment, 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, FAA-H-8083-28; POH/ AFM
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
  • AI.V.A.K1:
    Pilot self-assessment.
  • AI.V.A.K2:
    Determining that the airplane to be used is appropriate and airworthy.
  • AI.V.A.K3:
    Airplane preflight inspection, including:
    • AI.V.A.K3a:
      a. Which items should be inspected
    • AI.V.A.K3b:
      b. The reasons for checking each item
    • AI.V.A.K3c:
      c. How to detect possible defects
    • AI.V.A.K3d:
      d. The associated regulations
  • AI.V.A.K4:
    Environmental factors, including weather, terrain, route selection, and obstructions.
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
  • AI.V.A.R1:
    Pilot.
  • AI.V.A.R2:
    Aircraft.
  • AI.V.A.R3:
    Environment (e.g., weather, airports, airspace, terrain, obstacles).
  • AI.V.A.R4:
    External pressures.
  • AI.V.A.R5:
    Aviation security concerns.
Skills 4 ACS Elements
  • AI.V.A.S1:
    Inspect the airplane with reference to an appropriate checklist.
  • AI.V.A.S2:
    Verify the airplane is in condition for safe flight and conforms to its type design.
  • AI.V.A.S3:
    Perform self-assessment.
  • AI.V.A.S4:
    Continue to assess the environment for safe flight.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Preflight Assessment Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in preflight Assessment 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.