Flight Instructor (Airplane) Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (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 glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (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 glassy-water takeoff and climb, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

Help Us Grow

Enjoy CFI Notebook? A one-time donation helps us create more high-quality lessons, quizzes, scenarios, graphics, and interactive tools.

One-Time Donation
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Materials

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (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 I, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands glassy-water takeoff and climb, 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 and aircraft-specific sequence for a glassy-water takeoff, including attitude references, planing, liftoff, acceleration, and climb. (AI.VII.I.K1)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain how calm wind, temperature, density altitude, water depth, loading, and the absence of surface texture affect acceleration, hydrodynamic drag, liftoff, and climb performance. (AI.VII.I.K2)
    • Compare VX and VY, including their use after liftoff and during obstacle clearance. (AI.VII.I.K3)
    • Use the POH/AFM to teach the correct takeoff and climb configuration and the proper sequence for configuration changes. (AI.VII.I.K4)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain when glassy-water technique is appropriate and why attitude, acceleration cues, and predetermined limits replace unreliable visual texture cues. (AI.VII.I.K5)
    • Have the learner identify and correct common errors, including poor path selection, improper planing attitude, porpoising, skipping, excessive spray, premature liftoff, failure to accelerate, and airspeed deviation. (AI.VII.I.K6)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Select the takeoff path using pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, usable water area, obstacles, available distance, and escape options. (AI.VII.I.R1)
    • Assess water depth, debris, current, swell, hidden obstacles, surface cues, and changes in drag before committing to takeoff. (AI.VII.I.R2)
    • Establish decision points and immediate actions for abnormal operations, including: (AI.VII.I.R3)
      • Rejected takeoff (AI.VII.I.R3a)
      • Potential engine failure in takeoff/climb phase of flight (AI.VII.I.R3b)
    • Clear the takeoff path and climb corridor for vessels, aircraft, wildlife, shoreline hazards, and other collision threats. (AI.VII.I.R4)
    • Ask the learner to define and relate to operational decisions pitch, airspeed, bank, obstacle-clearance, and instructor-intervention limits that prevent stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain. (AI.VII.I.R5)
    • Manage distractions and reduced visual cues by prioritizing attitude, power, directional control, acceleration, obstacles, and abort criteria. (AI.VII.I.R6)
    • Verify and verbally confirm the amphibious landing gear is in the correct position for a water takeoff before entering the takeoff path. (AI.VII.I.R7)
    • 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 takeoff readiness. (AI.VII.I.S1)
    • Make clear, timely radio calls appropriate to the operating environment. (AI.VII.I.S2)
    • Position the controls and configure the airplane for the existing wind and water conditions. (AI.VII.I.S3)
    • Clear the area and select a takeoff path that accounts for vessels, surface hazards, water condition, and available distance. (AI.VII.I.S4)
    • Retract the water rudders at the appropriate point. (AI.VII.I.S5)
    • Advance the throttle smoothly to takeoff power and verify engine and flight-instrument indications before liftoff. (AI.VII.I.S6)
    • Establish and maintain the appropriate planing attitude and directional control, correcting promptly for porpoising, skipping, or increased drag. (AI.VII.I.S7)
    • Use pitch and path control to avoid excessive propeller spray. (AI.VII.I.S8)
    • Use the appropriate surface-dependent technique to lift the seaplane from the water without forcing it airborne prematurely. (AI.VII.I.S9)
    • Establish the proper climb attitude and accelerate to VY within ±5 knots. (AI.VII.I.S10)
    • Configure the airplane after verifying a positive climb or as directed by the manufacturer. (AI.VII.I.S11)
    • Maintain VY within ±5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude. (AI.VII.I.S12)
    • Maintain directional control throughout takeoff and climb. (AI.VII.I.S13)
    • Analyze learner performance and correct common errors while preserving positive aircraft control. (AI.VII.I.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) Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Assign a calm-water departure with limited surface texture that requires the instructor applicant to teach attitude-based takeoff cues and predetermined abort criteria.
  • Require a water-area and takeoff-path assessment, performance review, rejected-takeoff and engine-failure plan, amphibious-gear verification, and low-altitude intervention limits. (AI.VII.I.R1–R7)
  • Have the applicant coach the complete maneuver from configuration and water-rudder retraction through planing, surface-dependent liftoff, acceleration, and climb. (AI.VII.I.S1–S13)
  • Introduce an error such as improper planing attitude, porpoising, excessive spray, premature liftoff, failure to accelerate, or gear-position uncertainty and require timely intervention and learner-centered correction. (AI.VII.I.K6; AI.VII.I.S14)
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to the ACS knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (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) Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (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 I: Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES).
  • Note: If a glassy water condition does not exist, the applicant must be evaluated by simulating the Task.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands glassy-water takeoff and climb, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
Knowledge 6 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.I.K1:
    Purpose of and procedures for glassy water takeoff and climb.
  • AI.VII.I.K2:
    Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on takeoff and climb performance.
  • AI.VII.I.K3:
    Best angle of climb speed (VX) and best rate of climb speed (VY).
  • AI.VII.I.K4:
    Appropriate airplane configuration.
  • AI.VII.I.K5:
    Appropriate use of glassy water takeoff and climb technique.
  • AI.VII.I.K6:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.I.R1:
    Selection of takeoff path based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, and available distance.
  • AI.VII.I.R2:
    Water surface/condition.
  • AI.VII.I.R3:
    Abnormal operations, including planning for:
    • AI.VII.I.R3a:
      Rejected takeoff
    • AI.VII.I.R3b:
      Potential engine failure in takeoff/climb phase of flight
  • AI.VII.I.R4:
    Collision hazards.
  • AI.VII.I.R5:
    Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • AI.VII.I.R6:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • AI.VII.I.R7:
    Gear position in an amphibious airplane.
Skills 14 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.I.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • AI.VII.I.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • AI.VII.I.S3:
    Position flight controls and configure the aircraft for the existing conditions.
  • AI.VII.I.S4:
    Clear the area, select appropriate takeoff path considering surface hazards or vessels and surface conditions.
  • AI.VII.I.S5:
    Retract the water rudders, as appropriate.
  • AI.VII.I.S6:
    Advance the throttle smoothly to takeoff power and confirm proper engine and flight instrument indications prior to rotation.
  • AI.VII.I.S7:
    Establish and maintain an appropriate planing attitude, directional control, and correct for porpoising, skipping, and increase in water drag.
  • AI.VII.I.S8:
    Avoid excessive water spray on the propeller(s).
  • AI.VII.I.S9:
    Use appropriate techniques to lift seaplane from the water considering surface conditions.
  • AI.VII.I.S10:
    Establish proper attitude/airspeed and accelerate to VY ±5 knots during the climb.
  • AI.VII.I.S11:
    Configure the airplane after a positive rate of climb has been verified or in accordance with airplane manufacturer’s instructions.
  • AI.VII.I.S12:
    Maintain VY ±5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude.
  • AI.VII.I.S13:
    Maintain directional control throughout takeoff and climb.
  • AI.VII.I.S14:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (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.