Flight Instructor (Airplane) Taxiing, Airport Signs, and Lighting (ASEL, AMEL) Lesson Plan

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

The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Taxiing, Airport Signs, and Lighting (ASEL, AMEL) Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Taxiing, Airport Signs, and Lighting (ASEL, AMEL) 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 taxiing, Airport Signs, and Lighting (ASEL (Airplane Single-Engine Land), AMEL (Airplane Multiengine Land)).
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant understands taxiing an airplane, 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) Taxiing, Airport Signs, and Lighting (ASEL, AMEL) 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) Taxiing, Airport Signs, and Lighting (ASEL, AMEL) 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 D, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands taxiing an airplane, 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 safe taxi planning and execution, including aircraft control, speed, brake use, wind correction, clearance, right-of-way, situational awareness, and runway-incursion avoidance. (AI.V.D.K1)
    • Use current airport references, including the Chart Supplement, airport diagram, and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), to plan and brief the taxi route. (AI.V.D.K2)
    • Have the learner use a concrete example to explain how to receive, copy, interpret, read back, amend, and comply with taxi instructions and clearances. (AI.V.D.K3)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply recognition and operational meaning of airport markings, signs, lighting, runway-status lights, hold positions, and movement-area boundaries. (AI.V.D.K4)
    • Interpret wind indicators and apply appropriate taxi control positions and route considerations. (AI.V.D.K5)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply appropriate use and limitations of aircraft exterior lighting during ground operations. (AI.V.D.K6)
    • Teach procedures for the following operating conditions: (AI.V.D.K7)
      • Appropriate flight deck activities prior to taxi, including route planning and identifying the location of Hot Spots (AI.V.D.K7a)
      • Radio communications at towered and nontowered airports (AI.V.D.K7b)
      • Entering or crossing runways (AI.V.D.K7c)
      • Night taxi operations (AI.V.D.K7d)
      • Low visibility taxi operations (AI.V.D.K7e)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Manage flight-deck activities and distractions by completing setup before movement and stopping whenever attention must remain inside for an extended task. (AI.V.D.R1)
    • Counter confirmation and expectation bias by comparing each instruction with the diagram, reading it back accurately, and resolving any uncertainty before moving. (AI.V.D.R2)
    • When the taxi route or departure runway changes, stop or slow as appropriate, revise the diagram and briefing, and verify performance and configuration implications. (AI.V.D.R3)
    • Prevent runway incursions through route briefing, hotspot review, sterile-flight-deck discipline, hold-short verification, exterior scanning, and explicit clearance before entering or crossing a runway. (AI.V.D.R4)
    • Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
  • Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Receive, copy, understand, and correctly read back taxi clearances and instructions. (AI.V.D.S1)
    • Use the published airport diagram or taxi chart continuously enough to verify position and route without sacrificing outside awareness. (AI.V.D.S2)
    • Position flight controls correctly for the existing wind and update the correction as direction changes during taxi. (AI.V.D.S3)
    • Complete the appropriate taxi and before-takeoff checklists without losing directional control or situational awareness. (AI.V.D.S4)
    • Perform a brake check immediately after the airplane begins moving and stop if braking or steering is abnormal. (AI.V.D.S5)
    • Maintain positive directional and speed control without excessive brake use or unsafe propeller blast. (AI.V.D.S6)
    • Comply with markings, signals, lights, signs, and ATC clearances and instructions. (AI.V.D.S7)
    • Stop and position the airplane correctly relative to runway and taxiway hold markings. (AI.V.D.S8)
    • 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) Taxiing, Airport Signs, and Lighting (ASEL, AMEL) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving taxiing, Airport Signs, and Lighting (ASEL, AMEL) while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Assign a taxi route containing a hotspot, a clearance amendment, a runway crossing, wind, and a realistic distraction; require the applicant to brief and control each incursion risk. (AI.V.D.R1) (AI.V.D.R2) (AI.V.D.R3) (AI.V.D.R4)
  • Have the applicant receive and read back the clearance, trace and follow it on the airport diagram, position controls for wind, perform the brake check, comply with signs and markings, and stop correctly at each hold position. (AI.V.D.S1) (AI.V.D.S2) (AI.V.D.S3) (AI.V.D.S4) (AI.V.D.S5) (AI.V.D.S6) (AI.V.D.S7) (AI.V.D.S8)
  • 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) Taxiing, Airport Signs, and Lighting (ASEL, AMEL) 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.
  • Complete or review AOPA's Runway Safety Online Course.
  • Use effective questions, check learner understanding, conduct a learner-centered assessment, and perform an instructor self-assessment.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Taxiing, Airport Signs, and Lighting (ASEL, AMEL) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Taxiing, Airport Signs, and Lighting (ASEL, AMEL) Airman Certification Standards

  • Note: The evaluator must select at least one Task from this Area of Operation.
  • Task D: Taxiing, Airport Signs, and Lighting (ASEL, AMEL).
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands taxiing an airplane, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • References: AC 91-73; AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/ AFM
Knowledge 7 ACS Elements
  • AI.V.D.K1:
    Elements of safe taxi operations.
  • AI.V.D.K2:
    Current airport aeronautical references and information resources such as the Chart Supplement, airport diagram, and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs).
  • AI.V.D.K3:
    Taxi instructions/clearances.
  • AI.V.D.K4:
    Airport markings, signs, and lights.
  • AI.V.D.K5:
    Visual indicators for wind.
  • AI.V.D.K6:
    Aircraft lighting, as appropriate.
  • AI.V.D.K7:
    Procedures for:
    • AI.V.D.K7a:
      Appropriate flight deck activities prior to taxi, including route planning and identifying the location of Hot Spots
    • AI.V.D.K7b:
      Radio communications at towered and nontowered airports
    • AI.V.D.K7c:
      Entering or crossing runways
    • AI.V.D.K7d:
      Night taxi operations
    • AI.V.D.K7e:
      Low visibility taxi operations
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
  • AI.V.D.R1:
    Activities and distractions.
  • AI.V.D.R2:
    Confirmation or expectation bias as related to taxi instructions.
  • AI.V.D.R3:
    A taxi route or departure runway change.
  • AI.V.D.R4:
    Runway incursion.
Skills 8 ACS Elements
  • AI.V.D.S1:
    Receive and correctly read back clearances/instructions, if applicable.
  • AI.V.D.S2:
    Use an airport diagram or taxi chart during taxi, if published, and maintain situational awareness.
  • AI.V.D.S3:
    Position the flight controls for the existing wind, if applicable.
  • AI.V.D.S4:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • AI.V.D.S5:
    Perform a brake check immediately after the airplane begins moving.
  • AI.V.D.S6:
    Maintain positive control of the airplane during ground operations by controlling direction and speed without excessive use of brakes.
  • AI.V.D.S7:
    Comply with airport/taxiway markings, signals, and air traffic control (ATC) clearances and instructions.
  • AI.V.D.S8:
    Position the airplane properly relative to hold lines.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Taxiing, Airport Signs, and Lighting (ASEL, AMEL) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in taxiing, Airport Signs, and Lighting (ASEL, AMEL) 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.