Flight Instructor (Airplane) Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES) 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 and Sailing (ASES (Airplane Single-Engine Sea), AMES (Airplane Multiengine Sea)).
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

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

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES) 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 and Sailing (ASES, AMES) 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 E, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands taxiing and sailing, 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 idle, plow, and step taxi techniques and sailing procedures, including when each is appropriate and how wind, current, waves, confined areas, and airplane configuration affect control. (AI.V.E.K1)
    • Use current airport and seaplane-base references, including the Chart Supplement, diagrams, and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), to plan the movement route. (AI.V.E.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 when applicable. (AI.V.E.K3)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply recognition and operational meaning of applicable airport and seaplane-base markings, signs, lights, signals, channels, and operating areas. (AI.V.E.K4)
    • Interpret wind indicators and water-surface cues and apply them to route, control, and technique selection. (AI.V.E.K5)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply appropriate airplane-lighting use during water and land operations, considering visibility and effects on other operators. (AI.V.E.K6)
    • Teach procedures for the following operating environments: (AI.V.E.K7)
      • Appropriate flight deck activities during taxiing or sailing (AI.V.E.K7a)
      • Radio communications at towered and nontowered seaplane bases (AI.V.E.K7b)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Manage flight-deck activities and distractions while preserving directional control, lookout, water-condition awareness, and clearance from hazards. (AI.V.E.R1)
    • Recognize the onset of porpoising or skipping during step taxi and apply prompt manufacturer-recommended corrective action before control deteriorates. (AI.V.E.R2)
    • Set conservative limits for low-visibility taxiing and sailing and use reduced speed, lighting, navigation aids, sound signals, or delay as conditions require. (AI.V.E.R3)
    • Maintain separation from aircraft, vessels, swimmers, docks, buoys, debris, shoals, wakes, and other water or shoreline hazards. (AI.V.E.R4)
    • Counter confirmation and expectation bias by verifying instructions, position, route, and intended operating area before moving or changing course. (AI.V.E.R5)
    • Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
  • Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Receive, understand, and correctly read back clearances and instructions when applicable. (AI.V.E.S1)
    • Use the appropriate airport diagram or taxi chart, when published, to verify position and intended route. (AI.V.E.S2)
    • Comply with applicable seaplane-base, airport, and taxiway markings, signals, lights, and signs. (AI.V.E.S3)
    • Depart the dock, mooring buoy, beach, or ramp safely while accounting for wind, current, water depth, traffic, and nearby hazards. (AI.V.E.S4)
    • Complete the appropriate taxiing, sailing, and before-takeoff checklists while maintaining control and lookout. (AI.V.E.S5)
    • Position flight controls, flaps, doors, water rudders, and power correctly for conditions, desired course, and prevention or correction of porpoising and skipping. (AI.V.E.S6)
    • Steer and maneuver using idle, plow, or step taxi as appropriate while maintaining situational awareness, orientation, path, position, and safe speed. (AI.V.E.S7)
    • Plan and follow the most favorable taxi or sailing course for wind, current, waves, visibility, traffic, and available space. (AI.V.E.S8)
    • Apply right-of-way rules and maintain positive control, proper speed, and safe separation from aircraft, vessels, and persons. (AI.V.E.S9)
    • When using an amphibious airplane on land, comply with the applicable taxi elements of Task D. (AI.V.E.S10)
    • 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 and Sailing (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES) while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Assign a water-taxi or sailing route involving changing wind or current, confined space, traffic, reduced visibility, and a distraction; require the applicant to select techniques and define correction or termination criteria. (AI.V.E.R1) (AI.V.E.R2) (AI.V.E.R3) (AI.V.E.R4) (AI.V.E.R5)
  • Have the applicant depart the dock or shoreline, comply with applicable instructions and markings, configure the seaplane, select and execute the favorable route using appropriate taxi or sailing techniques, and maintain right-of-way and separation. (AI.V.E.S1) (AI.V.E.S2) (AI.V.E.S3) (AI.V.E.S4) (AI.V.E.S5) (AI.V.E.S6) (AI.V.E.S7) (AI.V.E.S8) (AI.V.E.S9) (AI.V.E.S10)
  • 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 and Sailing (ASES, AMES) 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 and Sailing (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES) Airman Certification Standards

  • Note: The evaluator must select at least one Task from this Area of Operation.
  • Task E: Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES).
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands taxiing and sailing, 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-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM; USCG Navigation Rules
Knowledge 7 ACS Elements
  • AI.V.E.K1:
    Procedures for various types of taxiing and sailing.
  • AI.V.E.K2:
    Current airport aeronautical references and information resources such as the Chart Supplement, airport diagram, and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs).
  • AI.V.E.K3:
    Taxi instructions/clearances.
  • AI.V.E.K4:
    Airport/seaplane base markings, signs, and lights.
  • AI.V.E.K5:
    Visual indicators for wind.
  • AI.V.E.K6:
    Airplane lighting.
  • AI.V.E.K7:
    Procedures for:
    • AI.V.E.K7a:
      Appropriate flight deck activities during taxiing or sailing
    • AI.V.E.K7b:
      Radio communications at towered and nontowered seaplane bases
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
  • AI.V.E.R1:
    Activities and distractions.
  • AI.V.E.R2:
    Porpoising and skipping.
  • AI.V.E.R3:
    Low visibility taxi and sailing operations.
  • AI.V.E.R4:
    Other aircraft, vessels, and hazards.
  • AI.V.E.R5:
    Confirmation or expectation bias as related to taxi instructions.
Skills 10 ACS Elements
  • AI.V.E.S1:
    Receive and correctly read back clearances/instructions, if applicable.
  • AI.V.E.S2:
    Use an appropriate airport diagram or taxi chart, if published.
  • AI.V.E.S3:
    Comply with seaplane base/airport/taxiway markings, signals, and signs.
  • AI.V.E.S4:
    Depart the dock/mooring buoy or beach/ramp in a safe manner, considering wind, current, traffic, and hazards.
  • AI.V.E.S5:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • AI.V.E.S6:
    Position the flight controls, flaps, doors, water rudders, and power correctly for the existing conditions to follow the desired course while sailing and to prevent or correct for porpoising and skipping during step taxi.
  • AI.V.E.S7:
    Exhibit procedures for steering and maneuvering while maintaining proper situational awareness and desired orientation, path, and position while taxiing using idle, plow, or step taxi technique, as appropriate.
  • AI.V.E.S8:
    Plan and follow the most favorable taxi or sailing course for current conditions.
  • AI.V.E.S9:
    Abide by right-of-way rules, maintain positive airplane control, proper speed, and separation between other aircraft, vessels, and persons.
  • AI.V.E.S10:
    Comply with applicable taxi elements in Task D if the practical test is conducted in an amphibious airplane.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES) 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.