Flight Instructor (Airplane) Rough Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Rough Water 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 rough Water 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 rough water approach, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Rough Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Materials

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Rough Water 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 L, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands rough water 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 aircraft-specific sequence for a rough-water approach and landing, including site inspection, swell evaluation, stabilized approach, touchdown attitude, and deceleration. (AI.VII.L.K1)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain how pitch, power, configuration, airspeed, descent rate, and touchdown timing manage energy and structural loads in rough water. (AI.VII.L.K2)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain how wind, gusts, wave height, swell direction, density altitude, water depth, and loading affect approach control and landing loads. (AI.VII.L.K3)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply wind correction and alignment relative to the swell and selected landing path throughout approach and touchdown. (AI.VII.L.K4)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain when rough-water technique is appropriate and how surface conditions determine the safest touchdown attitude, direction, and rate of descent. (AI.VII.L.K5)
    • Have the learner identify and correct common errors, including poor site selection, improper swell alignment, unstable approach, excessive descent rate, flat or nose-low contact, loss of directional control, and delayed go-around. (AI.VII.L.K6)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Select the approach path and touchdown area using pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, usable water area, wind, swell direction, wave height, obstacles, and go-around options. (AI.VII.L.R1)
    • Assess and mitigate the effects of the following conditions on approach control, touchdown loads, and stopping distance: (AI.VII.L.R2)
      • Crosswind (AI.VII.L.R2a)
      • Windshear (AI.VII.L.R2b)
      • Tailwind (AI.VII.L.R2c)
      • Wake turbulence (AI.VII.L.R2d)
      • Water surface/condition (AI.VII.L.R2e)
    • Brief an early go-around decision point, escape path, configuration sequence, and rejected-landing plan before entering the low-altitude rough-water environment. (AI.VII.L.R3)
    • Clear the approach, touchdown, and go-around paths for vessels, aircraft, wildlife, shoreline hazards, and other collision threats. (AI.VII.L.R4)
    • Ask the learner to define and relate to operational decisions pitch, airspeed, bank, descent-rate, terrain-clearance, and instructor-intervention limits that prevent stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain. (AI.VII.L.R5)
    • Manage distractions and workload by prioritizing aircraft control, wave and swell cues, flightpath, airspeed, collision hazards, and go-around criteria. (AI.VII.L.R6)
    • Verify and verbally confirm the amphibious landing gear is in the correct position for a water landing. (AI.VII.L.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 landing readiness. (AI.VII.L.S1)
    • Make clear, timely radio calls appropriate to the operating environment. (AI.VII.L.S2)
    • Align the airplane with the correct or assigned waterway and the selected swell-relative landing path. (AI.VII.L.S3)
    • Scan the landing area, approach corridor, and go-around path for traffic and obstructions. (AI.VII.L.S4)
    • Select and aim for a suitable touchdown area using wind, swell, water condition, available distance, and obstructions. (AI.VII.L.S5)
    • Establish the recommended configuration, airspeed, and trim, then coordinate pitch and power to maintain a stabilized approach. (AI.VII.L.S6)
    • Maintain the published approach airspeed or, if none is published, not more than 1.3 VSO within ±5 knots, with gust factor applied. (AI.VII.L.S7)
    • Maintain directional control and appropriate wind correction throughout approach and landing. (AI.VII.L.S8)
    • Use smooth, timely power and control adjustments to maintain the selected pitch attitude and descent rate to touchdown. (AI.VII.L.S9)
    • Contact the water in the proper pitch attitude for the wave and swell condition. (AI.VII.L.S10)
    • Analyze learner performance and correct common errors while preserving positive aircraft control. (AI.VII.L.S11)
    • 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) Rough Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Assign a rough-water arrival that requires the instructor applicant to evaluate wind, waves, swell, landing path, water depth, obstacles, and go-around options before teaching the maneuver.
  • Require an approach-path and surface assessment, amphibious-gear verification, traffic and obstacle controls, go-around plan, and low-altitude intervention limits. (AI.VII.L.R1–R7)
  • Have the applicant coach the complete maneuver from alignment and landing-area scan through stabilized approach, swell-relative touchdown, and deceleration. (AI.VII.L.S1–S10)
  • Introduce an error such as poor swell alignment, unstable descent, excessive sink, flat contact, directional drift, or gear-position uncertainty and require timely intervention and learner-centered correction. (AI.VII.L.K6; AI.VII.L.S11)
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to the ACS knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Rough Water 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) Rough Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Rough Water 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 L: Rough Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES).
  • Note: If a rough water condition does not exist, the applicant must be evaluated by simulating the Task.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands rough water approach, 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.L.K1:
    Purpose of and procedures for rough water approach and landing.
  • AI.VII.L.K2:
    A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
  • AI.VII.L.K3:
    Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance.
  • AI.VII.L.K4:
    Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.
  • AI.VII.L.K5:
    When and why rough water techniques are used.
  • AI.VII.L.K6:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.L.R1:
    Selection of approach path and touchdown area based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, available distance, and wind.
  • AI.VII.L.R2:
    Effects of:
    • AI.VII.L.R2a:
      Crosswind
    • AI.VII.L.R2b:
      Windshear
    • AI.VII.L.R2c:
      Tailwind
    • AI.VII.L.R2d:
      Wake turbulence
    • AI.VII.L.R2e:
      Water surface/condition
  • AI.VII.L.R3:
    Planning for a go-around and rejected landing.
  • AI.VII.L.R4:
    Collision hazards.
  • AI.VII.L.R5:
    Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • AI.VII.L.R6:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • AI.VII.L.R7:
    Gear position in an amphibious airplane.
Skills 11 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.L.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • AI.VII.L.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • AI.VII.L.S3:
    Ensure the airplane is aligned with the correct/assigned waterway.
  • AI.VII.L.S4:
    Scan the landing area for traffic and obstructions.
  • AI.VII.L.S5:
    Select and aim for a suitable touchdown point considering the wind conditions, landing surface, and obstructions.
  • AI.VII.L.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.L.S7:
    Maintain manufacturer’s published approach airspeed or in its absence not more than 1.3 times the stalling speed or the minimum steady flight speed in the landing configuration (VSO), ±5 knots with gust factor applied.
  • AI.VII.L.S8:
    Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing.
  • AI.VII.L.S9:
    Make smooth, timely, and correct power and control adjustments to maintain proper pitch attitude and rate of descent to touchdown.
  • AI.VII.L.S10:
    Contact the water in a proper pitch attitude, considering the type of rough water.
  • AI.VII.L.S11:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Rough Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in rough Water 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.