Flight Instructor (Airplane) Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Flight Instructor (Airplane) • ACS Area VII, Task H

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Confined Area Approach and Landing (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 confined Area Approach and Landing (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 confined area approach and landing, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Materials

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Confined Area Approach and Landing (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 VII, Task H, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands confined area approach and landing, 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 the purpose, site-evaluation process, and aircraft-specific sequence for a confined-area approach and landing. (AI.VII.H.K1)
    • Relate stabilized-approach criteria and energy management to a steep or constrained arrival, including power, pitch, configuration, descent angle, and go-around margins. (AI.VII.H.K2)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain how wind, temperature, density altitude, precipitation, water condition, surrounding terrain, and obstructions affect approach control and landing performance. (AI.VII.H.K3)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply wind correction throughout the approach, touchdown, and deceleration while preserving clearance from obstacles and the shoreline. (AI.VII.H.K4)
    • Have the learner identify and correct common errors, including poor site selection, unstable descent, excessive sink, airspeed deviation, fixation, inadequate obstacle clearance, misalignment, hard touchdown, and delayed go-around. (AI.VII.H.K5)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Select the approach path and touchdown area using pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, usable water area, obstructions, wind, surface condition, and go-around options. (AI.VII.H.R1)
    • Assess and mitigate the effects of the following conditions on approach control, touchdown, and stopping distance: (AI.VII.H.R2)
      • Crosswind (AI.VII.H.R2a)
      • Windshear (AI.VII.H.R2b)
      • Tailwind (AI.VII.H.R2c)
      • Wake turbulence (AI.VII.H.R2d)
      • Water surface/condition (AI.VII.H.R2e)
    • Brief an early go-around decision point, escape path, configuration sequence, and rejected-landing plan appropriate to the confined area. (AI.VII.H.R3)
    • Clear the approach, touchdown, and go-around paths for vessels, aircraft, wildlife, docks, terrain, wires, and other collision hazards. (AI.VII.H.R4)
    • Ask the learner to define and relate to operational decisions airspeed, bank, coordination, terrain-clearance, and instructor-intervention limits that prevent stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain during low-altitude maneuvering. (AI.VII.H.R5)
    • Manage distractions and workload by prioritizing aircraft control, flightpath, obstacles, traffic, airspeed, and go-around criteria while maintaining situational awareness. (AI.VII.H.R6)
    • Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
  • Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Complete the appropriate checklist items and verify landing readiness. (AI.VII.H.S1)
    • Make clear, timely radio calls appropriate to the operating environment. (AI.VII.H.S2)
    • Align the airplane with the correct or assigned landing surface and preserve the planned escape path. (AI.VII.H.S3)
    • Scan the landing area, approach corridor, and go-around path for traffic and obstructions. (AI.VII.H.S4)
    • Select and aim for a suitable touchdown point using wind, water condition, available distance, and obstructions. (AI.VII.H.S5)
    • Establish the recommended configuration, airspeed, and trim, and coordinate pitch and power to maintain a stabilized approach. (AI.VII.H.S6)
    • Maintain the published approach airspeed or, if none is published, not more than 1.3 VSO, +10/-5 knots, with gust factor applied. (AI.VII.H.S7)
    • Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing. (AI.VII.H.S8)
    • Use smooth, timely, and correct control inputs before, during, and after touchdown. (AI.VII.H.S9)
    • Contact the water at the recommended airspeed and pitch attitude for the surface condition. (AI.VII.H.S10)
    • Touch down in the proper pitch attitude within 100 feet beyond or on the specified point, with minimum float, no side drift, and alignment with the projected landing path. (AI.VII.H.S11)
    • Execute a timely go-around whenever the approach cannot remain within tolerances or any condition makes continuation unsafe. (AI.VII.H.S12)
    • Apply elevator control as necessary to stop in the shortest distance consistent with safety. (AI.VII.H.S13)
    • Analyze learner performance and correct common errors while preserving positive aircraft control. (AI.VII.H.S14)
    • 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) Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Assign a confined-water arrival that requires the instructor applicant to evaluate the approach, touchdown area, obstacles, wind, performance, and escape path before teaching the maneuver.
  • Require a site and surface assessment, stabilized-approach and go-around criteria, traffic and obstacle controls, and low-altitude intervention limits. (AI.VII.H.R1–R6)
  • Have the applicant coach the complete maneuver from alignment and landing-area scan through stabilized approach, airspeed and wind correction, touchdown, and deceleration. (AI.VII.H.S1–S13)
  • Introduce an error such as poor alignment, excessive sink, airspeed deviation, fixation, inadequate obstacle clearance, hard touchdown, or delayed go-around and require timely intervention and learner-centered correction. (AI.VII.H.K5; AI.VII.H.S14)
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to the ACS knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Confined Area Approach and Landing (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) Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) Airman Certification Standards

  • Note: The evaluator must select at least two takeoff and two landing Tasks from Area of Operation VII, Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds.
  • Task H: Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES).
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands confined area approach and landing, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
Knowledge 5 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.H.K1:
    Purpose of and procedures for confined area approach and landing.
  • AI.VII.H.K2:
    A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
  • AI.VII.H.K3:
    Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance.
  • AI.VII.H.K4:
    Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.
  • AI.VII.H.K5:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.H.R1:
    Selection of approach path and touchdown area based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, available distance, and wind.
  • AI.VII.H.R2:
    Effects of:
    • AI.VII.H.R2a:
      Crosswind
    • AI.VII.H.R2b:
      Windshear
    • AI.VII.H.R2c:
      Tailwind
    • AI.VII.H.R2d:
      Wake turbulence
    • AI.VII.H.R2e:
      Water surface/condition
  • AI.VII.H.R3:
    Planning for a go-around and rejected landing.
  • AI.VII.H.R4:
    Collision hazards.
  • AI.VII.H.R5:
    Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • AI.VII.H.R6:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 14 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.H.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • AI.VII.H.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • AI.VII.H.S3:
    Ensure the airplane is aligned for an approach to the correct/assigned landing surface.
  • AI.VII.H.S4:
    Scan the landing area for traffic and obstructions.
  • AI.VII.H.S5:
    Select and aim for a suitable touchdown point considering the wind conditions, landing surface, and obstructions.
  • AI.VII.H.S6:
    Establish the recommended approach and landing configuration, airspeed, and trim, and adjust pitch attitude and power as required to maintain a stabilized approach.
  • AI.VII.H.S7:
    Maintain manufacturer’s published approach airspeed or in its absence not more than 1.3 VSO, +10/-5 knots with gust factor applied.
  • AI.VII.H.S8:
    Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing.
  • AI.VII.H.S9:
    Make smooth, timely, and correct control application before, during, and after touchdown.
  • AI.VII.H.S10:
    Contact the water at the recommended airspeed with a proper pitch attitude for the surface conditions.
  • AI.VII.H.S11:
    Touch down at a proper pitch attitude, within 100 feet beyond or on the specified point, with no side drift, minimum float, and with the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with the projected landing path.
  • AI.VII.H.S12:
    Execute a timely go-around if the approach cannot be made within the tolerances specified above or for any other condition that may result in an unsafe approach or landing.
  • AI.VII.H.S13:
    Apply elevator control as necessary to stop in the shortest distance consistent with safety.
  • AI.VII.H.S14:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in confined Area Approach and Landing (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.