Flight Instructor (Airplane) Go-Around/Rejected Landing Lesson Plan
Flight Instructor (Airplane) • ACS Area VII, Task N
The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Go-Around/Rejected Landing 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 go-Around/Rejected Landing.
- 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 go-around/rejected landing with emphasis on factors that contribute to landing conditions that may require a go-around, 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, Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), and electronic flight bag, as applicable.
- Airplane, cockpit procedures trainer, approved training device, or classroom teaching aids, as appropriate.
Reference Materials:
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airman Certification Standards (ACS).
- Aviation Instructor's Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Task references: Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM); FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
Instructor Actions
- Review the maneuver's common errors and assess the learner's understanding of their mitigations.
- Review Rejected Landings and Go-Around common errors and mitigations.
- Use the guidance appropriate to the aircraft and visual or instrument flight conditions.
- 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 N, and the Airman Certification Standards.
- State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands go-around/rejected landing with emphasis on factors that contribute to landing conditions that may require a go-around, 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, decision criteria, and aircraft-specific sequence for a go-around or rejected landing from any point on the approach or landing roll. (AI.VII.N.K1)
- Relate stabilized-approach criteria and energy state to an early, unambiguous go-around decision rather than attempting to salvage an unstable approach. (AI.VII.N.K2)
- Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain how wind, windshear, density altitude, runway condition, weight, and obstacles affect power response, acceleration, climb performance, and available options. (AI.VII.N.K3)
- Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply wind-correction techniques through the transition from approach or landing to climb, including directional control and drift correction. (AI.VII.N.K4)
- Have the learner identify and correct common errors, including delayed decision-making, abrupt pitch or trim changes, improper configuration sequencing, failure to arrest descent, fixation inside the cockpit, and loss of directional control. (AI.VII.N.K5)
- Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
- Establish objective go-around triggers and require an immediate verbal and physical response when any trigger is met. (AI.VII.N.R1)
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain why delay becomes increasingly hazardous at low altitude and define instructor intervention and discontinue criteria. (AI.VII.N.R2)
- Manage power application to obtain prompt performance without excessive pitch change, loss of directional control, or configuration-induced sink. (AI.VII.N.R3)
- Sequence configuration changes using the POH/AFM while protecting airspeed, climb performance, and obstacle clearance. (AI.VII.N.R4)
- Scan for aircraft, vehicles, obstacles, and wake turbulence; communicate intentions and maneuver as needed to avoid conflict. (AI.VII.N.R5)
- Prevent stall, spin, and controlled flight into terrain by prioritizing aircraft control, pitch/power coordination, climb performance, and terrain clearance during low-altitude maneuvering. (AI.VII.N.R6)
- Manage distractions and workload by prioritizing aircraft control, flightpath, traffic, configuration, and communication while maintaining orientation and situational awareness. (AI.VII.N.R7)
- Brief the escape path and ATC coordination required if a go-around or rejected landing follows acceptance of a land-and-hold-short-operations clearance. (AI.VII.N.R8)
- Maintain runway awareness and comply with appropriate instructions so the maneuver does not create or compound a runway incursion. (AI.VII.N.R9)
- 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 readiness before practicing the maneuver. (AI.VII.N.S1)
- Make concise, timely radio calls appropriate to the operating environment. (AI.VII.N.S2)
- Recognize an unacceptable approach or landing condition and make a timely decision to discontinue the landing. (AI.VII.N.S3)
- Apply takeoff power immediately, manage control pressures and trim, arrest the descent, and transition to the climb attitude for VX or VY, as appropriate, within ±5 knots. (AI.VII.N.S4)
- Configure the airplane only after verifying a positive rate of climb or as directed by the manufacturer, while preventing a renewed descent. (AI.VII.N.S5)
- Maneuver to the side of the runway or landing area when necessary to see and avoid conflicting traffic. (AI.VII.N.S6)
- Maintain VY within ±5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude. (AI.VII.N.S7)
- Maintain directional control and appropriate wind-drift correction throughout the transition and climb. (AI.VII.N.S8)
- Analyze learner performance and correct common errors while preserving positive aircraft control. (AI.VII.N.S9)
- 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)
- Assign an approach in which changing wind, traffic, runway occupancy, or an unstable energy state requires the instructor applicant to teach a timely go-around or rejected landing.
- Require the applicant to brief objective go-around triggers, escape path, configuration sequence, traffic and runway-incursion controls, LAHSO considerations when applicable, and instructor intervention limits. (AI.VII.N.R1–R9)
- Have the applicant teach and coach the complete maneuver from recognition and decision through power application, pitch and configuration changes, traffic avoidance, climb-speed control, and safe maneuvering altitude. (AI.VII.N.S1–S8)
- Introduce a delayed decision, excessive pitch change, premature configuration change, fixation, or conflicting traffic cue and require timely intervention and learner-centered correction. (AI.VII.N.K5; AI.VII.N.S9)
- Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to the ACS knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
Student Actions
- Review the maneuver's common errors and explain how to prevent and correct each applicable error.
- Review Rejected Landings and Go-Around common errors and mitigations.
- Use the guidance appropriate to the aircraft and visual or instrument flight conditions.
- 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) Go-Around/Rejected Landing 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 N: Go-Around/Rejected Landing.
- Objective: To determine the applicant understands go-around/rejected landing with emphasis on factors that contribute to landing conditions that may require a go-around, 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
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AI.VII.N.K1: Purpose of and procedures for go-around or rejected landing. -
AI.VII.N.K2: A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts. -
AI.VII.N.K3: Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind and density altitude, on a go-around or rejected landing. -
AI.VII.N.K4: Wind correction techniques on takeoff/departure and approach/landing. -
AI.VII.N.K5: Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 9 ACS Elements
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AI.VII.N.R1: Delayed recognition of the need for a go-around/rejected landing. -
AI.VII.N.R2: Delayed performance of a go-around at low altitude. -
AI.VII.N.R3: Power application. -
AI.VII.N.R4: Configuring the airplane. -
AI.VII.N.R5: Collision hazards. -
AI.VII.N.R6: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). -
AI.VII.N.R7: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. -
AI.VII.N.R8: Managing a go-around/rejected landing after accepting a LAHSO clearance. -
AI.VII.N.R9: Runway incursion.
Skills 9 ACS Elements
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AI.VII.N.S1: Complete the appropriate checklist(s). -
AI.VII.N.S2: Make radio calls as appropriate. -
AI.VII.N.S3: Make a timely decision to discontinue the approach to landing. -
AI.VII.N.S4: Apply takeoff power immediately and transition to climb pitch attitude for VX or VY as appropriate ±5 knots. -
AI.VII.N.S5: Configure the airplane after a positive rate of climb has been verified or in accordance with airplane manufacturer’s instructions. -
AI.VII.N.S6: Maneuver to the side of the runway/landing area when necessary to clear and avoid conflicting traffic. -
AI.VII.N.S7: Maintain VY ±5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude. -
AI.VII.N.S8: Maintain directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout the climb. -
AI.VII.N.S9: Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Conclusion
Re-Motivation:
- Effective instruction in go-Around/Rejected Landing 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.