Flight Instructor (Airplane) Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL) Lesson Plan

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

The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL) Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL) 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 short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL).
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant understands short-field approach and landing, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

Help Us Grow

Enjoy CFI Notebook? A one-time donation helps us create more high-quality lessons, quizzes, scenarios, graphics, and interactive tools.

One-Time Donation
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL) Lesson Plan

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, NOTAMs, and electronic flight bag, as applicable.
    • Airplane, cockpit procedures trainer, approved training device, or classroom teaching aids, as appropriate.

  • Reference Materials:

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL) 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 F, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands short-field approach and landing, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.VII.F.K1: Purpose of and procedures for short-field approach and landing.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.VII.F.K2: A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.VII.F.K3: Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.VII.F.K4: Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.VII.F.K5: Common errors related to this Task.
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.VII.F.R1: Selection of runway based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, available distance, and wind.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.VII.F.R2: Effects of:
      • AI.VII.F.R2a: a. Crosswind
      • AI.VII.F.R2b: b. Windshear
      • AI.VII.F.R2c: c. Tailwind
      • AI.VII.F.R2d: d. Wake turbulence
      • AI.VII.F.R2e: e. Landing surface/condition
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.VII.F.R3: Planning for:
      • AI.VII.F.R3a: a. Rejected landing and go-around
      • AI.VII.F.R3b: b. Land and hold short operations (LAHSO)
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.VII.F.R4: Collision hazards.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.VII.F.R5: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.VII.F.R6: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
    • Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
  • Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.F.S1: Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.F.S2: Make radio calls as appropriate.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.F.S3: Ensure the airplane is aligned with the correct/assigned runway.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.F.S4: Scan the landing runway and adjoining area for traffic and obstructions.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.F.S5: Select and aim for a suitable touchdown point considering the wind conditions, landing surface, and obstructions.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.F.S6: Establish the recommended approach and landing configuration, airspeed, and trim, and adjust pitch attitude and power as required to maintain a stabilized approach.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.F.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.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.F.S8: Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.F.S9: Make smooth, timely, and correct control application before, during, and after touchdown.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.F.S10: Touch down at a proper pitch attitude within 100 feet beyond or on the specified point, threshold markings, or runway numbers, with no side drift, minimum float, and with the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with and over the runway centerline.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.F.S11: Use manufacturer’s recommended procedures for airplane configuration and braking.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.F.S12: Execute a timely go-around if the approach cannot be made within the tolerances specified above or for any other condition that may result in an unsafe approach or landing.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.F.S13: Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
    • 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) Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL) while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Ask the instructor applicant to identify hazards, including AI.VII.F.R1: Selection of runway based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, available distance, and wind, and teach how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the instructor applicant to explain, demonstrate, or coach the learner through AI.VII.F.S1: Complete the appropriate checklist(s), as appropriate to the task and training environment.
  • Introduce a realistic learner error, misconception, change in operating conditions, or external pressure and require the instructor applicant to adapt the lesson.
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to the ACS knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL) 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) Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL) 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 F: Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL).
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands short-field approach and landing, 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.F.K1:
    Purpose of and procedures for short-field approach and landing.
  • AI.VII.F.K2:
    A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
  • AI.VII.F.K3:
    Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance.
  • AI.VII.F.K4:
    Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.
  • AI.VII.F.K5:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.F.R1:
    Selection of runway based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, available distance, and wind.
  • AI.VII.F.R2:
    Effects of:
    • AI.VII.F.R2a:
      a. Crosswind
    • AI.VII.F.R2b:
      b. Windshear
    • AI.VII.F.R2c:
      c. Tailwind
    • AI.VII.F.R2d:
      d. Wake turbulence
    • AI.VII.F.R2e:
      e. Landing surface/condition
  • AI.VII.F.R3:
    Planning for:
    • AI.VII.F.R3a:
      a. Rejected landing and go-around
    • AI.VII.F.R3b:
      b. Land and hold short operations (LAHSO)
  • AI.VII.F.R4:
    Collision hazards.
  • AI.VII.F.R5:
    Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • AI.VII.F.R6:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 13 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.F.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • AI.VII.F.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • AI.VII.F.S3:
    Ensure the airplane is aligned with the correct/assigned runway.
  • AI.VII.F.S4:
    Scan the landing runway and adjoining area for traffic and obstructions.
  • AI.VII.F.S5:
    Select and aim for a suitable touchdown point considering the wind conditions, landing surface, and obstructions.
  • AI.VII.F.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.F.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.F.S8:
    Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing.
  • AI.VII.F.S9:
    Make smooth, timely, and correct control application before, during, and after touchdown.
  • AI.VII.F.S10:
    Touch down at a proper pitch attitude within 100 feet beyond or on the specified point, threshold markings, or runway numbers, with no side drift, minimum float, and with the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with and over the runway centerline.
  • AI.VII.F.S11:
    Use manufacturer’s recommended procedures for airplane configuration and braking.
  • AI.VII.F.S12:
    Execute a timely go-around if the approach cannot be made within the tolerances specified above or for any other condition that may result in an unsafe approach or landing.
  • AI.VII.F.S13:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL) 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.