Flight Instructor (Airplane) Slip to a Landing (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

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

The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Slip to a Landing (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Slip to a 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 slip to a 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 slip to a 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) Slip to a Landing (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

Materials

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Slip to a 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 M, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands a slip to a landing, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    • Differentiate a forward slip used to increase descent from a sideslip used to correct drift, and teach the control relationships and transition required for landing. (AI.VII.M.K1)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain how a slip changes drag, descent angle, groundspeed, energy, and available control margin without substituting for sound approach planning. (AI.VII.M.K2)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain how wind, gusts, density altitude, runway condition, and airplane loading affect slip effectiveness, control requirements, and landing performance. (AI.VII.M.K3)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply wind correction during the slip and the coordinated transition to the appropriate sideslip before touchdown. (AI.VII.M.K4)
    • Have the learner identify and correct common errors, including cross-control confusion, excessive bank or yaw, poor airspeed control, improper slip direction, fixation, abrupt recovery, and touching down while misaligned or drifting. (AI.VII.M.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, and wind. (AI.VII.M.R1)
    • Assess and mitigate the effects of the following conditions on slip control, flightpath, and landing performance: (AI.VII.M.R2)
      • Crosswind (AI.VII.M.R2a)
      • Windshear (AI.VII.M.R2b)
      • Tailwind (AI.VII.M.R2c)
      • Wake turbulence (AI.VII.M.R2d)
      • Landing surface/condition (AI.VII.M.R2e)
    • Establish decision points and procedures for: (AI.VII.M.R3)
      • Rejected landing and go-around (AI.VII.M.R3a)
      • Land and hold short operations (LAHSO) (AI.VII.M.R3b)
    • Maintain traffic and obstacle awareness despite the altered sight picture and preserve an escape path from collision hazards. (AI.VII.M.R4)
    • Ask the learner to define and relate to operational decisions bank, airspeed, coordination, terrain-clearance, and instructor-intervention limits that prevent stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain during low-altitude maneuvering. (AI.VII.M.R5)
    • Manage workload and distractions by prioritizing aircraft control, flightpath, traffic, alignment, and go-around criteria while maintaining orientation and situational awareness. (AI.VII.M.R6)
    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain POH/AFM limitations before a forward slip, including fuel-flow considerations, flap-related tail-stall concerns, airspeed indications, and available control margin. (AI.VII.M.R7)
    • Require removal of drift and alignment of the longitudinal axis before surface contact; initiate a go-around when satisfactory alignment cannot be established. (AI.VII.M.R8)
    • Use stabilized-approach criteria and discontinue the landing when the slip cannot produce a safe, controlled transition and touchdown. (AI.VII.M.R9)
    • 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.M.S1)
    • Make clear, timely radio calls without sacrificing aircraft control or traffic awareness. (AI.VII.M.S2)
    • Plan and follow a flightpath to the selected landing area using altitude, wind, terrain, obstructions, and remaining energy. (AI.VII.M.S3)
    • Select a suitable touchdown point using wind, landing-surface condition, obstructions, available distance, and airplane limitations. (AI.VII.M.S4)
    • Position the airplane on a downwind leg parallel to the runway or selected landing path with appropriate spacing and altitude. (AI.VII.M.S5)
    • Configure the airplane in accordance with the POH/AFM and the planned energy profile. (AI.VII.M.S6)
    • Correlate the crosswind with the direction of slip and transition to a sideslip, as appropriate, before touchdown. (AI.VII.M.S7)
    • Touch down in the proper pitch attitude within 400 feet beyond or on the specified point, without side drift, and aligned with the runway centerline or landing path. (AI.VII.M.S8)
    • Maintain a ground track aligned with the runway centerline or landing path throughout the approach and touchdown. (AI.VII.M.S9)
    • Analyze learner performance and correct common errors while preserving positive aircraft control and a timely go-around option. (AI.VII.M.S10)
    • 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) Slip to a Landing (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Assign an approach in which excess altitude or crosswind requires the instructor applicant to teach the appropriate forward slip, sideslip, or transition between them.
  • Require a runway and touchdown-point assessment, wind and surface review, traffic scan, aircraft-specific slip-limitations review, go-around plan, and low-altitude intervention criteria. (AI.VII.M.R1–R9)
  • Have the applicant coach the complete maneuver from flightpath planning and slip entry through airspeed and ground-track control, transition, alignment, and touchdown. (AI.VII.M.S1–S9)
  • Introduce an error such as improper slip direction, unstable airspeed, excessive bank or yaw, abrupt recovery, drift, misalignment, or unsafe continuation and require timely intervention and learner-centered correction. (AI.VII.M.K5; AI.VII.M.S10)
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to the ACS knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Slip to a 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) Slip to a Landing (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Slip to a 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 M: Slip to a Landing (ASEL, ASES).
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands a slip to a 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.M.K1:
    Purpose of and procedures for forward or side slip to a landing.
  • AI.VII.M.K2:
    Concepts of energy management during a forward or side slip approach.
  • AI.VII.M.K3:
    Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance.
  • AI.VII.M.K4:
    Wind correction techniques during a forward or side slip.
  • AI.VII.M.K5:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 9 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.M.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.M.R2:
    Effects of:
    • AI.VII.M.R2a:
      Crosswind
    • AI.VII.M.R2b:
      Windshear
    • AI.VII.M.R2c:
      Tailwind
    • AI.VII.M.R2d:
      Wake turbulence
    • AI.VII.M.R2e:
      Landing surface/condition
  • AI.VII.M.R3:
    Planning for:
    • AI.VII.M.R3a:
      Rejected landing and go-around
    • AI.VII.M.R3b:
      Land and hold short operations (LAHSO)
  • AI.VII.M.R4:
    Collision hazards.
  • AI.VII.M.R5:
    Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • AI.VII.M.R6:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • AI.VII.M.R7:
    Forward slip operations, including fuel flowage, tail stalls with flaps, and airspeed control.
  • AI.VII.M.R8:
    Surface contact with the airplane’s longitudinal axis misaligned.
  • AI.VII.M.R9:
    Unstable approach.
Skills 10 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.M.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • AI.VII.M.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • AI.VII.M.S3:
    Plan and follow a flightpath to the selected landing area considering altitude, wind, terrain, and obstructions.
  • AI.VII.M.S4:
    Select the most suitable touchdown point based on wind, landing surface, obstructions, and airplane limitations.
  • AI.VII.M.S5:
    Position airplane on downwind leg, parallel to landing runway or selected landing surface.
  • AI.VII.M.S6:
    Configure the airplane correctly.
  • AI.VII.M.S7:
    As necessary, correlate crosswind with direction of slip and transition to sideslip as appropriate before touchdown.
  • AI.VII.M.S8:
    Touch down at a proper pitch attitude, within 400 feet beyond or on the specified point, with no side drift, and with the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with and over the runway center/landing path.
  • AI.VII.M.S9:
    Maintain a ground track aligned with the runway center/landing path.
  • AI.VII.M.S10:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Slip to a Landing (ASEL, ASES) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in slip to a 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.