Flight Instructor (Airplane) Power-Off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

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

The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Power-Off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Power-Off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing (ASEL, ASES) 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 power-Off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing (ASEL (Airplane Single-Engine Land), ASES (Airplane Single-Engine Sea)).
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant understands a power-off 180° accuracy approach, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Power-Off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

Materials

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Power-Off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing (ASEL, ASES) 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 O, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands a power-off 180° accuracy approach, 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 sequence of a power-off 180° accuracy approach, emphasizing energy judgment, a continuously reachable landing area, and arrival at the selected touchdown point without adding power. (AI.VII.O.K1)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain how pitch, bank, drag, configuration, ground track, and wind correction are used to manage the airplane's finite energy while maintaining a stabilized and adaptable approach. (AI.VII.O.K2)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain how wind direction and velocity, gusts, density altitude, temperature, runway slope and condition, and airplane weight affect glide performance and touchdown-point judgment. (AI.VII.O.K3)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply wind correction throughout the pattern and explain how an instructor detects and corrects drift without allowing fixation on the touchdown point. (AI.VII.O.K4)
    • Have the learner identify and correct common errors, including poor touchdown-point selection, premature configuration, excessive bank, skidding or slipping unintentionally, unstable airspeed, failure to account for wind, and delayed go-around judgment. (AI.VII.O.K5)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Select the runway, landing surface, approach path, and touchdown area using pilot capability, aircraft performance and limitations, available distance, obstacles, traffic, and wind. (AI.VII.O.R1)
    • Assess and mitigate the effects of the following conditions on glidepath, energy, control, and landing distance: (AI.VII.O.R2)
      • Crosswind (AI.VII.O.R2a)
      • Windshear (AI.VII.O.R2b)
      • Tailwind (AI.VII.O.R2c)
      • Wake turbulence (AI.VII.O.R2d)
      • Landing surface/condition (AI.VII.O.R2e)
    • Establish decision points and procedures for: (AI.VII.O.R3)
      • Rejected landing and go-around (AI.VII.O.R3a)
      • Land and hold short operations (LAHSO) (AI.VII.O.R3b)
    • Maintain traffic and obstacle awareness throughout the maneuver and preserve an escape path from collision hazards. (AI.VII.O.R4)
    • Ask the learner to define and relate to operational decisions bank-angle, airspeed, coordination, terrain-clearance, and instructor-intervention limits that prevent stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain during low-altitude maneuvering. (AI.VII.O.R5)
    • Manage workload and distractions by prioritizing aircraft control, energy, traffic, touchdown-point assessment, and go-around decisions while maintaining situational awareness. (AI.VII.O.R6)
    • Before using a forward slip, review POH/AFM limitations and assess fuel flow, flap-related tail-stall considerations, control margins, and airspeed indications; discontinue the slip early enough for a controlled transition to touchdown. (AI.VII.O.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 that conditions permit safe practice. (AI.VII.O.S1)
    • Make clear, timely radio calls without sacrificing aircraft control or traffic awareness. (AI.VII.O.S2)
    • Plan and continuously adjust a flightpath to the selected landing area using altitude, wind, terrain, obstructions, and remaining energy. (AI.VII.O.S3)
    • Select a suitable touchdown point using wind, landing-surface condition, obstructions, available distance, and aircraft limitations. (AI.VII.O.S4)
    • Position the airplane on a downwind leg parallel to the runway or landing path with appropriate spacing and altitude. (AI.VII.O.S5)
    • Configure the airplane at deliberate points that preserve energy, control, and the ability to reach the selected landing area. (AI.VII.O.S6)
    • When necessary, use the appropriate forward-slip direction for the crosswind and transition smoothly to a sideslip before touchdown. (AI.VII.O.S7)
    • Touch down in the proper pitch attitude within 200 feet beyond or on the specified point, without side drift, and aligned with the runway centerline or landing path. (AI.VII.O.S8)
    • Analyze learner performance and correct common errors while preserving aircraft control and a timely go-around option. (AI.VII.O.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.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Power-Off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Assign a power-off 180° accuracy approach in which the instructor applicant must teach the learner to manage a changing wind and finite energy while keeping the selected landing area continuously attainable.
  • Require a runway and touchdown-point assessment, wind and surface review, traffic scan, forward-slip limitations review when applicable, go-around plan, and low-altitude intervention criteria. (AI.VII.O.R1–R7)
  • Have the applicant coach the complete maneuver from downwind positioning and power reduction through flightpath adjustment, configuration, slip or wind correction, flare, and accurate touchdown. (AI.VII.O.S1–S8)
  • Introduce an error such as premature configuration, poor wind correction, excessive bank, unstable airspeed, fixation on the touchdown point, or an unsafe continuation and require timely intervention and learner-centered correction. (AI.VII.O.K5; AI.VII.O.S9)
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to the ACS knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Power-Off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing (ASEL, ASES) 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) Power-Off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Power-Off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing (ASEL, ASES) 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 O: Power-Off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing (ASEL, ASES).
  • Note: See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands a power-off 180° accuracy approach, 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-8083-25; POH/AFM
Knowledge 5 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.O.K1:
    Purpose of and procedures for proper 180° accuracy approach and landing.
  • AI.VII.O.K2:
    A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
  • AI.VII.O.K3:
    Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing.
  • AI.VII.O.K4:
    Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.
  • AI.VII.O.K5:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.O.R1:
    Selection of runway/landing surface, approach path, and touchdown area based on pilot capability, aircraft performance and limitations, available distance, and wind.
  • AI.VII.O.R2:
    Effects of:
    • AI.VII.O.R2a:
      Crosswind
    • AI.VII.O.R2b:
      Windshear
    • AI.VII.O.R2c:
      Tailwind
    • AI.VII.O.R2d:
      Wake turbulence
    • AI.VII.O.R2e:
      Landing surface/condition
  • AI.VII.O.R3:
    Planning for:
    • AI.VII.O.R3a:
      Rejected landing and go-around
    • AI.VII.O.R3b:
      Land and hold short operations (LAHSO)
  • AI.VII.O.R4:
    Collision hazards.
  • AI.VII.O.R5:
    Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • AI.VII.O.R6:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • AI.VII.O.R7:
    Forward slip operations, including fuel flowage, tail stalls with flaps, and airspeed control.
Skills 9 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.O.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • AI.VII.O.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • AI.VII.O.S3:
    Plan and follow a flightpath to the selected landing area considering altitude, wind, terrain, and obstructions.
  • AI.VII.O.S4:
    Select the most suitable touchdown point based on wind, landing surface, obstructions, and aircraft limitations.
  • AI.VII.O.S5:
    Position airplane on downwind leg, parallel to landing runway.
  • AI.VII.O.S6:
    Correctly configure the airplane.
  • AI.VII.O.S7:
    As necessary, correlate crosswind with direction of forward slip and transition to side slip before touchdown.
  • AI.VII.O.S8:
    Touch down at a proper pitch attitude, within 200 feet beyond or on the specified point with no side drift and with the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with and over the runway centerline or landing path, as applicable.
  • AI.VII.O.S9:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Power-Off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in power-Off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing (ASEL, ASES) 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.