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

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

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

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

Materials

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Rough 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 K, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands rough 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 rough-water takeoff, including wave and swell assessment, path selection, planing, liftoff, ground-effect acceleration, and climb. (AI.VII.K.K1)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain how wind, gusts, swell direction, wave height, density altitude, loading, and surface condition affect acceleration, hydrodynamic loads, liftoff, and climb performance. (AI.VII.K.K2)
    • Compare VX and VY, including when each is used after liftoff and during obstacle clearance. (AI.VII.K.K3)
    • Use the POH/AFM to teach the correct configuration for rough-water takeoff and the sequence for transitioning to climb. (AI.VII.K.K4)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain when rough-water technique is appropriate and how wave, swell, and float-loading considerations change pitch and liftoff technique. (AI.VII.K.K5)
    • Have the learner identify and correct common errors, including poor path selection, improper planing attitude, porpoising, skipping, excessive spray, forcing liftoff, and leaving ground effect before adequate airspeed. (AI.VII.K.K6)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Select a takeoff path using pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, available distance, wind, swell direction, wave height, obstacles, and escape options. (AI.VII.K.R1)
    • Assess and mitigate the effects of the following conditions on hydrodynamic loads, control, takeoff distance, and climb performance: (AI.VII.K.R2)
      • Crosswind (AI.VII.K.R2a)
      • Windshear (AI.VII.K.R2b)
      • Tailwind (AI.VII.K.R2c)
      • Wake turbulence (AI.VII.K.R2d)
      • Water surface/condition (AI.VII.K.R2e)
    • Establish decision points and immediate actions for abnormal operations, including: (AI.VII.K.R3)
      • Rejected takeoff (AI.VII.K.R3a)
      • Potential engine failure in takeoff/climb phase of flight (AI.VII.K.R3b)
    • Clear the takeoff path and climb corridor for vessels, aircraft, wildlife, shoreline hazards, and other collision threats. (AI.VII.K.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.K.R5)
    • Manage distractions and workload by prioritizing control, wave response, engine indications, airspeed, obstacles, and abort criteria. (AI.VII.K.R6)
    • Verify and verbally confirm the amphibious landing gear is in the correct position for a water takeoff. (AI.VII.K.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.K.S1)
    • Make clear, timely radio calls appropriate to the operating environment. (AI.VII.K.S2)
    • Verify the assigned or selected takeoff path. (AI.VII.K.S3)
    • Determine wind direction using available indicators, surface cues, and operational observations. (AI.VII.K.S4)
    • Position the controls and configure the airplane for the existing wind and water conditions. (AI.VII.K.S5)
    • Clear the area and select a path that accounts for wind, swells, surface hazards, vessels, and available distance. (AI.VII.K.S6)
    • Retract the water rudders at the appropriate point. (AI.VII.K.S7)
    • Advance the throttle smoothly to takeoff power and verify engine and flight-instrument indications. (AI.VII.K.S8)
    • Establish and maintain the appropriate planing attitude and directional control, correcting promptly for porpoising, skipping, or increased drag. (AI.VII.K.S9)
    • Use pitch and path control to avoid excessive propeller spray. (AI.VII.K.S10)
    • Lift off at minimum airspeed and accelerate to VY within ±5 knots before leaving ground effect. (AI.VII.K.S11)
    • Configure the airplane after verifying a positive climb or as directed by the manufacturer. (AI.VII.K.S12)
    • Maintain VY within ±5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude. (AI.VII.K.S13)
    • Maintain directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout takeoff and climb. (AI.VII.K.S14)
    • Analyze learner performance and correct common errors while preserving positive aircraft control. (AI.VII.K.S15)
    • 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 Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Assign a rough-water departure that requires the instructor applicant to evaluate wind, waves, swell, takeoff path, performance, obstacles, and escape options before teaching the maneuver.
  • Require a surface and path assessment, rejected-takeoff and engine-failure plan, amphibious-gear verification, collision controls, and low-altitude intervention criteria. (AI.VII.K.R1–R7)
  • Have the applicant coach the complete maneuver from configuration and water-rudder retraction through planing, wave response, liftoff, ground-effect acceleration, and climb. (AI.VII.K.S1–S14)
  • Introduce an error such as poor swell alignment, improper planing attitude, porpoising, excessive spray, forced liftoff, or premature climb and require timely intervention and learner-centered correction. (AI.VII.K.K6; AI.VII.K.S15)
  • 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 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) Rough Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Rough 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 K: Rough Water Takeoff and Climb (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 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.K.K1:
    Purpose of and procedures for a rough water takeoff and climb.
  • AI.VII.K.K2:
    Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on takeoff and climb performance.
  • AI.VII.K.K3:
    Best angle of climb speed (VX) and best rate of climb speed (VY).
  • AI.VII.K.K4:
    Appropriate airplane configuration.
  • AI.VII.K.K5:
    Appropriate use of rough water takeoff and climb technique.
  • AI.VII.K.K6:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.K.R1:
    Selection of takeoff path based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, available distance, and wind.
  • AI.VII.K.R2:
    Effects of:
    • AI.VII.K.R2a:
      Crosswind
    • AI.VII.K.R2b:
      Windshear
    • AI.VII.K.R2c:
      Tailwind
    • AI.VII.K.R2d:
      Wake turbulence
    • AI.VII.K.R2e:
      Water surface/condition
  • AI.VII.K.R3:
    Abnormal operations, including planning for:
    • AI.VII.K.R3a:
      Rejected takeoff
    • AI.VII.K.R3b:
      Potential engine failure in takeoff/climb phase of flight
  • AI.VII.K.R4:
    Collision hazards.
  • AI.VII.K.R5:
    Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • AI.VII.K.R6:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • AI.VII.K.R7:
    Gear position in an amphibious airplane.
Skills 15 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.K.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • AI.VII.K.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • AI.VII.K.S3:
    Verify assigned/correct takeoff path.
  • AI.VII.K.S4:
    Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
  • AI.VII.K.S5:
    Position flight controls and configure the airplane for the existing conditions.
  • AI.VII.K.S6:
    Clear the area, select an appropriate takeoff path considering wind, swells, surface hazards, or vessels.
  • AI.VII.K.S7:
    Retract the water rudders, as appropriate.
  • AI.VII.K.S8:
    Advance the throttle smoothly to takeoff power and confirm proper engine and flight instrument indications prior to rotation.
  • AI.VII.K.S9:
    Establish and maintain an appropriate planing attitude, directional control, and correct for porpoising, skipping, and increase in water drag.
  • AI.VII.K.S10:
    Avoid excessive water spray on the propeller(s).
  • AI.VII.K.S11:
    Lift off at minimum airspeed and accelerate to VY ±5 knots before leaving ground effect.
  • AI.VII.K.S12:
    Configure the airplane after a positive rate of climb has been verified or in accordance with airplane manufacturer’s instructions.
  • AI.VII.K.S13:
    Maintain VY ±5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude.
  • AI.VII.K.S14:
    Maintain directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout takeoff and climb.
  • AI.VII.K.S15:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Rough Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in rough 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.