Flight Instructor (Airplane) Spin Awareness and Spins Lesson Plan

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

The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Spin Awareness and Spins Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Spin Awareness and Spins 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 spin Awareness and Spins.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

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

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Spin Awareness and Spins 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) Spin Awareness and Spins 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 I, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands spins, 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.I.K1: Purpose of and procedures for spin awareness and spins.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.I.K2: Aerodynamics associated with spins 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.I.K3: What causes a spin and how to identify the entry, incipient, and developed phases of a spin.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.I.K4: Spin recovery procedure.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.I.K5: Human factors associated with spin instruction.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.I.K6: How to determine if an airplane approved for the spin maneuver based on airworthiness category and type certificate.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.I.K7: Flight situations where unintentional spins may occur.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.I.K8: Entry procedure and minimum entry altitude for intentional spins.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.I.K9: Control procedure to maintain a stabilized spin.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.I.K10: Recognize conditions that lead to a spin for future avoidance.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.I.K11: Orientation during a spin, including which instrument(s) are reliable for determining the directions of spin.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.I.K12: Recovery procedure and minimum recovery altitude for intentional spins.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.X.I.K13: Common errors related to this Task.
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.I.R1: Factors and situations that could lead to inadvertent spin and loss of control.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.I.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.I.R3: Spin recovery procedure.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.I.R4: Effect of environmental elements on airplane performance related to spins (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and high-density altitude).
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.I.R5: Collision hazards.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.X.I.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.I.S1: Clear the area.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.X.I.S2: Select an entry altitude that allows the Task to be completed no lower than 4,000 feet AGL.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.X.I.S3: Enter and recover from an intentional spin if requested by the evaluator.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.X.I.S4: 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) Spin Awareness and Spins Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving spin Awareness and Spins while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Ask the instructor applicant to identify hazards, including AI.X.I.R1: Factors and situations that could lead to inadvertent spin and 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.I.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.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Spin Awareness and Spins 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) Spin Awareness and Spins Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Spin Awareness and Spins 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 I: Spin Awareness and Spins.
  • Note: At the discretion of the evaluator, a logbook record attesting applicant instructional competency in spin entries, spins, and spin recoveries may be accepted in lieu of this Task. The flight instructor who conducted the spin instruction must certify the logbook record.
  • 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 spins, 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 13 ACS Elements
  • AI.X.I.K1:
    Purpose of and procedures for spin awareness and spins.
  • AI.X.I.K2:
    Aerodynamics associated with spins 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.I.K3:
    What causes a spin and how to identify the entry, incipient, and developed phases of a spin.
  • AI.X.I.K4:
    Spin recovery procedure.
  • AI.X.I.K5:
    Human factors associated with spin instruction.
  • AI.X.I.K6:
    How to determine if an airplane approved for the spin maneuver based on airworthiness category and type certificate.
  • AI.X.I.K7:
    Flight situations where unintentional spins may occur.
  • AI.X.I.K8:
    Entry procedure and minimum entry altitude for intentional spins.
  • AI.X.I.K9:
    Control procedure to maintain a stabilized spin.
  • AI.X.I.K10:
    Recognize conditions that lead to a spin for future avoidance.
  • AI.X.I.K11:
    Orientation during a spin, including which instrument(s) are reliable for determining the directions of spin.
  • AI.X.I.K12:
    Recovery procedure and minimum recovery altitude for intentional spins.
  • AI.X.I.K13:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
  • AI.X.I.R1:
    Factors and situations that could lead to inadvertent spin and loss of control.
  • AI.X.I.R2:
    Range and limitations of stall warning indicators (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
  • AI.X.I.R3:
    Spin recovery procedure.
  • AI.X.I.R4:
    Effect of environmental elements on airplane performance related to spins (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and high-density altitude).
  • AI.X.I.R5:
    Collision hazards.
  • AI.X.I.R6:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 4 ACS Elements
  • AI.X.I.S1:
    Clear the area.
  • AI.X.I.S2:
    Select an entry altitude that allows the Task to be completed no lower than 4,000 feet AGL.
  • AI.X.I.S3:
    Enter and recover from an intentional spin if requested by the evaluator.
  • AI.X.I.S4:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Spin Awareness and Spins Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in spin Awareness and Spins 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.