Flight Instructor (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan
Flight Instructor (Airplane) • ACS Area X, Task A
The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:0:25Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:0:15Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:0:30Part 5, Guided Teaching Scenario:0:20Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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Attention Getter:
- Present a teaching scenario in which learner safety or understanding depends on effective instruction in maneuvering During Slow Flight.
- Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.
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Motivator:
- To determine the applicant understands maneuvering during slow flight in cruise configuration, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
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:
- FAA Airman Certification Standards.
- Aviation Instructor's Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Task references: AC 61-67; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
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 A, and the Airman Certification Standards.
- State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands maneuvering during slow flight in cruise configuration, 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.A.K1: Purpose of and procedures for proper slow flight.
- Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.A.K2: Aerodynamics associated with slow flight in various airplane configurations, including the relationship between angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power setting, airplane weight and center of gravity, airplane attitude, and yaw effects.
- Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.A.K3: Common errors related to this Task.
- Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
- Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.A.R1: Inadvertent slow flight and flight with a stall warning, which could lead to loss of control.
- Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.A.R2: Range and limitations of stall warning indicators (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
- Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.A.R3: Uncoordinated flight.
- Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.A.R4: Effect of environmental elements on airplane performance (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and highdensity altitude).
- Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.A.R5: Collision hazards.
- Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.A.R6: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
- 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.A.S1: Clear the area.
- Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.X.A.S2: Select an entry altitude that allows the Task to be completed no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL) (ASEL, ASES) or 3,000 feet AGL (AMEL, AMES).
- Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.X.A.S3: Establish and maintain an airspeed at which any further increase in angle of attack, increase in load factor, or reduction in power, would result in a stall warning (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
- Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.X.A.S4: Accomplish coordinated straight-and-level flight, turns, climbs, and descents with the aircraft configured as specified by the evaluator without a stall warning (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
- Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.X.A.S5: Maintain the specified altitude, ±50 feet; specified heading, ±10°; airspeed, +5/-0 knots; and specified angle of bank, ±5°.
- Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.X.A.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.
Guided Scenario(s)
- The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving maneuvering During Slow Flight while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
- Ask the instructor applicant to identify hazards, including AI.X.A.R1: Inadvertent slow flight and flight with a stall warning, which could lead to loss of control, and teach how each risk will be controlled.
- Require the instructor applicant to explain, demonstrate, or coach the learner through AI.X.A.S1: Clear the area, 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.
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.
Airman Certification Standards
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight 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 A: Maneuvering During Slow Flight.
- 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 maneuvering during slow flight in cruise configuration, 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 3 ACS Elements
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AI.X.A.K1: Purpose of and procedures for proper slow flight. -
AI.X.A.K2: Aerodynamics associated with slow flight in various airplane configurations, including the relationship between angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power setting, airplane weight and center of gravity, airplane attitude, and yaw effects. -
AI.X.A.K3: Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
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AI.X.A.R1: Inadvertent slow flight and flight with a stall warning, which could lead to loss of control. -
AI.X.A.R2: Range and limitations of stall warning indicators (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.). -
AI.X.A.R3: Uncoordinated flight. -
AI.X.A.R4: Effect of environmental elements on airplane performance (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and highdensity altitude). -
AI.X.A.R5: Collision hazards. -
AI.X.A.R6: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 6 ACS Elements
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AI.X.A.S1: Clear the area. -
AI.X.A.S2: Select an entry altitude that allows the Task to be completed no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL) (ASEL, ASES) or 3,000 feet AGL (AMEL, AMES). -
AI.X.A.S3: Establish and maintain an airspeed at which any further increase in angle of attack, increase in load factor, or reduction in power, would result in a stall warning (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.). -
AI.X.A.S4: Accomplish coordinated straight-and-level flight, turns, climbs, and descents with the aircraft configured as specified by the evaluator without a stall warning (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.). -
AI.X.A.S5: Maintain the specified altitude, ±50 feet; specified heading, ±10°; airspeed, +5/-0 knots; and specified angle of bank, ±5°. -
AI.X.A.S6: Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Conclusion
Re-Motivation:
- Effective instruction in maneuvering During Slow Flight 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.