Flight Instructor (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb 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 normal Takeoff and Climb.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

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

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

Materials

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Review the maneuver's common errors and assess the learner's understanding of their mitigations.
  • 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 A, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands normal 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 complete normal and crosswind takeoff sequence from planning and lineup through liftoff, acceleration, and initial climb. (AI.VII.A.K1)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain how wind, density altitude, temperature, pressure, runway or water conditions, slope, and obstacles affect takeoff and climb performance. (AI.VII.A.K2)
    • Differentiate best angle-of-climb speed (VX) from best rate-of-climb speed (VY), including their uses and changes with altitude. (AI.VII.A.K3)
    • Determine the appropriate flap, trim, landing gear, water-rudder, cowl-flap, and other make-and-model configuration for takeoff and climb. (AI.VII.A.K4)
    • Identify, demonstrate, and correct common errors such as improper wind controls, poor directional control, premature rotation, failure to verify power, and incorrect climb speed. (AI.VII.A.K5)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Select the runway or takeoff path using pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, available distance, wind, obstacles, surface conditions, and suitable departure options. (AI.VII.A.R1)
    • Assess and mitigate the following environmental and surface hazards: (AI.VII.A.R2)
      • Crosswind (AI.VII.A.R2a)
      • Windshear (AI.VII.A.R2b)
      • Tailwind (AI.VII.A.R2c)
      • Wake turbulence (AI.VII.A.R2d)
      • Takeoff surface/condition (AI.VII.A.R2e)
    • Brief decision points, aircraft control, and immediate actions for the following abnormal operations: (AI.VII.A.R3)
      • Rejected takeoff (AI.VII.A.R3a)
      • Potential engine failure in takeoff/climb phase of flight (AI.VII.A.R3b)
    • Control collision hazards by clearing the runway or takeoff path, monitoring traffic, making appropriate calls, and avoiding wake turbulence. (AI.VII.A.R4)
    • Maintain safe pitch, airspeed, coordination, and obstacle clearance during low-altitude maneuvering to prevent stalls, spins, and controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). (AI.VII.A.R5)
    • Manage distractions and task priorities so directional control, power verification, airspeed, traffic, and situational awareness remain primary. (AI.VII.A.R6)
    • Prevent runway incursions through clearance verification, hold-short discipline, airport-signage awareness, and an explicit runway check before entry. (AI.VII.A.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 checklists and verify takeoff readiness. (AI.VII.A.S1)
    • Make clear, timely radio calls appropriate to the operating environment. (AI.VII.A.S2)
    • Verify the assigned and correct runway or takeoff path. (AI.VII.A.S3)
    • Determine wind direction and approximate velocity with or without visible indicators. (AI.VII.A.S4)
    • Position the flight controls correctly for the existing wind. (AI.VII.A.S5)
    • Clear the area, enter the runway or takeoff path, and align on the runway centerline (ASEL, AMEL) or planned takeoff path (ASES, AMES). (AI.VII.A.S6)
    • Retract the water rudders when appropriate (ASES, AMES). (AI.VII.A.S7)
    • Advance smoothly to takeoff power and verify proper engine and flight-instrument indications before rotation. (AI.VII.A.S8)
    • Avoid excessive propeller spray during the water run (ASES, AMES). (AI.VII.A.S9)
    • Establish the most efficient planing and liftoff attitude and correct porpoising or skipping (ASES, AMES). (AI.VII.A.S10)
    • Rotate and lift off at the recommended airspeed, then accelerate to VY. (AI.VII.A.S11)
    • Establish the pitch attitude for the manufacturer-recommended climb speed or VY, ±5 knots. (AI.VII.A.S12)
    • Configure the airplane in accordance with manufacturer guidance. (AI.VII.A.S13)
    • Maintain VY ±5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude. (AI.VII.A.S14)
    • Maintain directional control and appropriate wind-drift correction throughout takeoff and climb. (AI.VII.A.S15)
    • Comply with applicable noise-abatement procedures without compromising safety. (AI.VII.A.S16)
    • Analyze learner performance and correct common errors without compromising positive aircraft control. (AI.VII.A.S17)
    • 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) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving normal takeoff and climb while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Require a runway or takeoff-path decision, performance and wind assessment, rejected-takeoff and engine-failure plan, traffic/wake review, runway-incursion controls, and low-altitude intervention criteria. (AI.VII.A.R1–R7)
  • Have the applicant teach and coach the complete sequence from checklist and runway verification through power application, liftoff, configuration, wind correction, and climb to a safe maneuvering altitude. (AI.VII.A.S1–S16)
  • Introduce an error such as incorrect wind controls, wrong-runway alignment, abnormal engine indication, premature rotation, or airspeed deviation; require timely intervention and learner-centered correction. (AI.VII.A.K5; AI.VII.A.S17)
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to the ACS knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

Student Actions

  • Review the maneuver's common errors and explain how to prevent and correct each applicable error.
  • 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) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb 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 A: Normal Takeoff and Climb.
  • Note: If a crosswind condition does not exist, the applicant’s knowledge of crosswind elements must be evaluated through oral testing.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands normal 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-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
Knowledge 5 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.A.K1:
    Procedures for normal and crosswind takeoff.
  • AI.VII.A.K2:
    Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on takeoff and climb performance.
  • AI.VII.A.K3:
    Best angle of climb speed (VX) and best rate of climb speed (VY).
  • AI.VII.A.K4:
    Appropriate airplane configuration.
  • AI.VII.A.K5:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.A.R1:
    Selection of runway based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, available distance, and wind.
  • AI.VII.A.R2:
    Effects of:
    • AI.VII.A.R2a:
      Crosswind
    • AI.VII.A.R2b:
      Windshear
    • AI.VII.A.R2c:
      Tailwind
    • AI.VII.A.R2d:
      Wake turbulence
    • AI.VII.A.R2e:
      Takeoff surface/condition
  • AI.VII.A.R3:
    Abnormal operations, including planning for:
    • AI.VII.A.R3a:
      Rejected takeoff
    • AI.VII.A.R3b:
      Potential engine failure in takeoff/climb phase of flight
  • AI.VII.A.R4:
    Collision hazards.
  • AI.VII.A.R5:
    Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • AI.VII.A.R6:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • AI.VII.A.R7:
    Runway incursion.
Skills 17 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.A.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • AI.VII.A.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • AI.VII.A.S3:
    Verify assigned/correct runway or takeoff path.
  • AI.VII.A.S4:
    Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
  • AI.VII.A.S5:
    Position the flight controls for the existing wind, if applicable.
  • AI.VII.A.S6:
    Clear the area, taxi into takeoff position, and align the airplane on the runway centerline (ASEL, AMEL) or takeoff path (ASES, AMES).
  • AI.VII.A.S7:
    Retract the water rudders, as appropriate (ASES, AMES).
  • AI.VII.A.S8:
    Advance the throttle smoothly to takeoff power and confirm proper engine and flight instrument indications prior to rotation.
  • AI.VII.A.S9:
    Avoid excessive water spray on the propeller(s) (ASES, AMES).
  • AI.VII.A.S10:
    Establish and maintain the most efficient planing/lift-off attitude, and correct for porpoising or skipping (ASES, AMES).
  • AI.VII.A.S11:
    Rotate and lift off at the recommended airspeed and accelerate to VY.
  • AI.VII.A.S12:
    Establish a pitch attitude to maintain the manufacturer’s recommended speed or VY, ±5 knots.
  • AI.VII.A.S13:
    Configure the airplane in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance.
  • AI.VII.A.S14:
    Maintain VY ±5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude.
  • AI.VII.A.S15:
    Maintain directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout takeoff and climb.
  • AI.VII.A.S16:
    Comply with noise abatement procedures, as applicable.
  • AI.VII.A.S17:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in normal Takeoff and Climb 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.