Flight Instructor (Airplane) Demonstration of Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and Airspeeds (ASEL and ASES) Lesson Plan

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

The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Demonstration of Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and Airspeeds (ASEL and ASES) Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Demonstration of Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and Airspeeds (ASEL and ASES) 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 demonstration of Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and Airspeeds (ASEL and ASES).
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant understands flight characteristics and power required at different airspeeds and configurations appropriate to the make and model of airplane flown, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Demonstration of Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and Airspeeds (ASEL and ASES) 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) Demonstration of Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and Airspeeds (ASEL and ASES) 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 X, Task B, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands flight characteristics and power required at different airspeeds and configurations appropriate to the make and model of airplane flown, 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.X.B.K1: Purpose of and procedures for demonstration of flight characteristics at various configurations and airspeeds.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.B.K2: Power required at various airspeeds between cruise airspeed and critically slow airspeeds near the critical angle of attack.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.B.K3: The minimum power required speed and its role in differentiating the region of normal command and the region of reversed command on the power-required curve.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.B.K4: The relationships between lift, drag, angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power required, weight, center of gravity, attitude, yaw effects, controllability, and stalls and spins.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.B.K5: Pitch, power, and trim control inputs that are required to operate the airplane in level flight, turns, climbs, and descents and how the control inputs change at various airspeeds between cruise airspeed and critically slow airspeeds.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.B.K6: Flight characteristics and aerodynamics associated with configuration changes applicable to the specific to the make and model of airplane provided for the practical test.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.B.K7: Airspeeds specific to the airplane for various operations, how to identify them on the airspeed indicator (if applicable), and their significance in airplane performance, including:
      • AI.X.B.K7a: a. Design/operating maneuvering speed
      • AI.X.B.K7b: b. Landing gear extended/operating speed, if applicable
      • AI.X.B.K7c: c. Flaps extended/operating speed, if applicable
      • AI.X.B.K7d: d. Best glide speed
      • AI.X.B.K7e: e. Reference landing speed
      • AI.X.B.K7f: f. Stalling speeds
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.B.K8: Common errors related to this Task.
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.B.R1: Lack of familiarity with airplane airspeed limitations and interpretation of the airspeed indicator.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.B.R2: Exceeding airspeed limitations.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.B.R3: Flight characteristics in the region of reversed command and the potential for loss of control.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.B.R4: Inadvertent exceedance of the critical angle of attack.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.B.R5: Range, limitations, and operational characteristics of airspeed indicators and stall warning indicators (e.g., airplane buffet, stall horn, etc.).
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.B.R6: Unacknowledged stall warning indications.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.B.R7: Effects of environmental elements on airplane performance and controllability. (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and high density altitude).
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.B.R8: Collision hazards.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.B.R9: Maneuvering at critically slow airspeeds.
    • 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.X.B.S1: Conduct and explain the procedure, manage the associated risk, and fly the airplane, while maintaining altitude ±100 feet, airspeed +5/-0 knots, heading ±10°, and specified bank angle ±5°, as appropriate.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.X.B.S2: Select an altitude that allows the maneuver to be performed no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL).
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.X.B.S3: Clear the area.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.X.B.S4: Clean configuration demonstration:
      • AI.X.B.S4a: a. Establish and maintain design/operating maneuvering speed appropriate to the airplane’s weight while describing pitch, power, and trim inputs to maintain altitude and airspeed, then;
      • AI.X.B.S4b: b. With gear and flaps retracted (as applicable), slow the airplane to, and maintain, best glide speed (or as specified by evaluator), noting the power setting required, then;
      • AI.X.B.S4c: c. Continue to slow the airplane to, and maintain, an airspeed at which any further increase in angle of attack, increase in load factor, or reduction in power would result in an immediate stall, and maintain that airspeed in level flight, noting the airspeed and power setting required, while;
      • AI.X.B.S4d: d. Verbally acknowledging stall warning indications, then;
      • AI.X.B.S4e: e. Without changing power setting, lower the pitch attitude and accelerate to a faster airspeed until reestablishing the airplane in level flight, noting the new airspeed and amount of altitude lost, then;
      • AI.X.B.S4f: f. Return to normal cruise flight at the altitude and heading specified by the evaluator
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.X.B.S5: Landing configuration demonstration.
      • AI.X.B.S5a: a. Establish and maintain design/operating maneuvering speed appropriate to the airplane’s weight while describing pitch, power, and trim inputs to maintain altitude and airspeed, then;
      • AI.X.B.S5b: b. Slow the airplane to, and maintain, the appropriate limiting airspeeds and fully extend the landing gear and flaps (as appropriate), then;
      • AI.X.B.S5c: c. With gear and flaps fully extended (as applicable), slow the airplane to, and maintain, reference landing speed (or as specified by the evaluator), noting the power setting required, then;
      • AI.X.B.S5d: d. With gear and flaps fully extended, continue to slow the airplane to, and maintain, an airspeed at which any further increase in angle of attack, increase in load factor, or reduction in power would result in an immediate stall, and maintain that airspeed in level flight, noting the airspeed and power setting required, while;
      • AI.X.B.S5e: e. Verbally acknowledging stall warning indications, then;
      • AI.X.B.S5f: f. Without changing power setting, lower the pitch attitude and accelerate to a faster airspeed until reestablishing the airplane in in level flight, noting the new airspeed and amount of altitude lost, then;
      • AI.X.B.S5g: g. Return to normal cruise flight at the altitude and heading specified by the evaluator
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.X.B.S6: Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
    • 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) Demonstration of Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and Airspeeds (ASEL and ASES) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving demonstration of Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and Airspeeds (ASEL and ASES) while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Ask the instructor applicant to identify hazards, including AI.X.B.R1: Lack of familiarity with airplane airspeed limitations and interpretation of the airspeed indicator, and teach how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the instructor applicant to explain, demonstrate, or coach the learner through AI.X.B.S1: Conduct and explain the procedure, manage the associated risk, and fly the airplane, while maintaining altitude ±100 feet, airspeed +5/-0 knots, heading ±10°, and specified bank angle ±5°, as appropriate, 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) Demonstration of Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and Airspeeds (ASEL and ASES) 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) Demonstration of Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and Airspeeds (ASEL and ASES) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Demonstration of Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and Airspeeds (ASEL and ASES) Airman Certification Standards

  • Note: For single-engine, the evaluator must select Task A or B; Task C, D, or E; Task F, G, or H; and Task I. For multiengine the evaluator must select Task A and Task C, D, or E.
  • Task B: Demonstration of Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and Airspeeds (ASEL and ASES).
  • Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands flight characteristics and power required at different airspeeds and configurations appropriate to the make and model of airplane flown, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • References: AC 61-67; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
Knowledge 8 ACS Elements
  • AI.X.B.K1:
    Purpose of and procedures for demonstration of flight characteristics at various configurations and airspeeds.
  • AI.X.B.K2:
    Power required at various airspeeds between cruise airspeed and critically slow airspeeds near the critical angle of attack.
  • AI.X.B.K3:
    The minimum power required speed and its role in differentiating the region of normal command and the region of reversed command on the power-required curve.
  • AI.X.B.K4:
    The relationships between lift, drag, angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power required, weight, center of gravity, attitude, yaw effects, controllability, and stalls and spins.
  • AI.X.B.K5:
    Pitch, power, and trim control inputs that are required to operate the airplane in level flight, turns, climbs, and descents and how the control inputs change at various airspeeds between cruise airspeed and critically slow airspeeds.
  • AI.X.B.K6:
    Flight characteristics and aerodynamics associated with configuration changes applicable to the specific to the make and model of airplane provided for the practical test.
  • AI.X.B.K7:
    Airspeeds specific to the airplane for various operations, how to identify them on the airspeed indicator (if applicable), and their significance in airplane performance, including:
    • AI.X.B.K7a:
      a. Design/operating maneuvering speed
    • AI.X.B.K7b:
      b. Landing gear extended/operating speed, if applicable
    • AI.X.B.K7c:
      c. Flaps extended/operating speed, if applicable
    • AI.X.B.K7d:
      d. Best glide speed
    • AI.X.B.K7e:
      e. Reference landing speed
    • AI.X.B.K7f:
      f. Stalling speeds
  • AI.X.B.K8:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 9 ACS Elements
  • AI.X.B.R1:
    Lack of familiarity with airplane airspeed limitations and interpretation of the airspeed indicator.
  • AI.X.B.R2:
    Exceeding airspeed limitations.
  • AI.X.B.R3:
    Flight characteristics in the region of reversed command and the potential for loss of control.
  • AI.X.B.R4:
    Inadvertent exceedance of the critical angle of attack.
  • AI.X.B.R5:
    Range, limitations, and operational characteristics of airspeed indicators and stall warning indicators (e.g., airplane buffet, stall horn, etc.).
  • AI.X.B.R6:
    Unacknowledged stall warning indications.
  • AI.X.B.R7:
    Effects of environmental elements on airplane performance and controllability. (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and high density altitude).
  • AI.X.B.R8:
    Collision hazards.
  • AI.X.B.R9:
    Maneuvering at critically slow airspeeds.
Skills 6 ACS Elements
  • AI.X.B.S1:
    Conduct and explain the procedure, manage the associated risk, and fly the airplane, while maintaining altitude ±100 feet, airspeed +5/-0 knots, heading ±10°, and specified bank angle ±5°, as appropriate.
  • AI.X.B.S2:
    Select an altitude that allows the maneuver to be performed no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL).
  • AI.X.B.S3:
    Clear the area.
  • AI.X.B.S4:
    Clean configuration demonstration:
    • AI.X.B.S4a:
      a. Establish and maintain design/operating maneuvering speed appropriate to the airplane’s weight while describing pitch, power, and trim inputs to maintain altitude and airspeed, then;
    • AI.X.B.S4b:
      b. With gear and flaps retracted (as applicable), slow the airplane to, and maintain, best glide speed (or as specified by evaluator), noting the power setting required, then;
    • AI.X.B.S4c:
      c. Continue to slow the airplane to, and maintain, an airspeed at which any further increase in angle of attack, increase in load factor, or reduction in power would result in an immediate stall, and maintain that airspeed in level flight, noting the airspeed and power setting required, while;
    • AI.X.B.S4d:
      d. Verbally acknowledging stall warning indications, then;
    • AI.X.B.S4e:
      e. Without changing power setting, lower the pitch attitude and accelerate to a faster airspeed until reestablishing the airplane in level flight, noting the new airspeed and amount of altitude lost, then;
    • AI.X.B.S4f:
      f. Return to normal cruise flight at the altitude and heading specified by the evaluator
  • AI.X.B.S5:
    Landing configuration demonstration.
    • AI.X.B.S5a:
      a. Establish and maintain design/operating maneuvering speed appropriate to the airplane’s weight while describing pitch, power, and trim inputs to maintain altitude and airspeed, then;
    • AI.X.B.S5b:
      b. Slow the airplane to, and maintain, the appropriate limiting airspeeds and fully extend the landing gear and flaps (as appropriate), then;
    • AI.X.B.S5c:
      c. With gear and flaps fully extended (as applicable), slow the airplane to, and maintain, reference landing speed (or as specified by the evaluator), noting the power setting required, then;
    • AI.X.B.S5d:
      d. With gear and flaps fully extended, continue to slow the airplane to, and maintain, an airspeed at which any further increase in angle of attack, increase in load factor, or reduction in power would result in an immediate stall, and maintain that airspeed in level flight, noting the airspeed and power setting required, while;
    • AI.X.B.S5e:
      e. Verbally acknowledging stall warning indications, then;
    • AI.X.B.S5f:
      f. Without changing power setting, lower the pitch attitude and accelerate to a faster airspeed until reestablishing the airplane in in level flight, noting the new airspeed and amount of altitude lost, then;
    • AI.X.B.S5g:
      g. Return to normal cruise flight at the altitude and heading specified by the evaluator
  • AI.X.B.S6:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Demonstration of Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and Airspeeds (ASEL and ASES) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in demonstration of Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and Airspeeds (ASEL and ASES) 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.