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, AMEL).
    • 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.

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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, 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:
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.V.D.K1: Elements of safe taxi operations.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.V.D.K2: Current airport aeronautical references and information resources such as the Chart Supplement, airport diagram, and Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs).
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.V.D.K3: Taxi instructions/clearances.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.V.D.K4: Airport markings, signs, and lights.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.V.D.K5: Visual indicators for wind.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.V.D.K6: Aircraft lighting, as appropriate.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.V.D.K7: Procedures for:
      • AI.V.D.K7a: a. Appropriate flight deck activities prior to taxi, including route planning and identifying the location of Hot Spots
      • AI.V.D.K7b: b. Radio communications at towered and nontowered airports
      • AI.V.D.K7c: c. Entering or crossing runways
      • AI.V.D.K7d: d. Night taxi operations
      • AI.V.D.K7e: e. Low visibility taxi operations
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.V.D.R1: Activities and distractions.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.V.D.R2: Confirmation or expectation bias as related to taxi instructions.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.V.D.R3: A taxi route or departure runway change.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.V.D.R4: Runway incursion.
    • 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.D.S1: Receive and correctly read back clearances/instructions, if applicable.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.V.D.S2: Use an airport diagram or taxi chart during taxi, if published, and maintain situational awareness.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.V.D.S3: Position the flight controls for the existing wind, if applicable.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.V.D.S4: Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.V.D.S5: Perform a brake check immediately after the airplane begins moving.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.V.D.S6: Maintain positive control of the airplane during ground operations by controlling direction and speed without excessive use of brakes.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.V.D.S7: Comply with airport/taxiway markings, signals, and air traffic control (ATC) clearances and instructions.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.V.D.S8: Position the airplane properly relative to hold lines.
    • 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.
  • Ask the instructor applicant to identify hazards, including AI.V.D.R1: Activities and distractions, and teach how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the instructor applicant to explain, demonstrate, or coach the learner through AI.V.D.S1: Receive and correctly read back clearances/instructions, if applicable, 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) 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.
  • 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 Air Missions (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:
      a. Appropriate flight deck activities prior to taxi, including route planning and identifying the location of Hot Spots
    • AI.V.D.K7b:
      b. Radio communications at towered and nontowered airports
    • AI.V.D.K7c:
      c. Entering or crossing runways
    • AI.V.D.K7d:
      d. Night taxi operations
    • AI.V.D.K7e:
      e. 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.