Flight Instructor (Airplane) Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL) Lesson Plan

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

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

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

  • Motivator:

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

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL) 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) Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL) 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 D, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands soft-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.D.K1: Purpose of and procedures for soft-field approach and landing.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.VII.D.K2: A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.VII.D.K3: Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.VII.D.K4: Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.VII.D.K5: Common errors related to this Task.
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.VII.D.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.D.R2: Effects of:
      • AI.VII.D.R2a: a. Crosswind
      • AI.VII.D.R2b: b. Windshear
      • AI.VII.D.R2c: c. Tailwind
      • AI.VII.D.R2d: d. Wake turbulence
      • AI.VII.D.R2e: e. Runway surface/condition
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.VII.D.R3: Planning for:
      • AI.VII.D.R3a: a. Rejected landing and go-around
      • AI.VII.D.R3b: b. Land and hold short operations (LAHSO)
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.VII.D.R4: Collision hazards.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.VII.D.R5: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.VII.D.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.D.S1: Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.D.S2: Make radio calls as appropriate.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.D.S3: Ensure the airplane is aligned with the correct/assigned runway.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.D.S4: Scan the landing runway and adjoining area for traffic and obstructions.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.D.S5: Select and aim for a suitable touchdown point considering the wind conditions, landing surface, and obstructions.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.D.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.D.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.D.S8: Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.D.S9: Make smooth, timely, and correct control inputs during the round out and touchdown, and, for tricycle gear airplanes, keep the nose wheel off the surface until loss of elevator effectiveness.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.D.S10: Touch down at a proper pitch attitude with minimum sink rate, no side drift, and with the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with the center of the runway.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.D.S11: Maintain elevator as recommended by manufacturer during rollout and exit the “soft” area at a speed that would preclude sinking into the surface.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.D.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.D.S13: Maintain proper position of the flight controls and sufficient speed to taxi while on the soft surface.
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.VII.D.S14: 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) Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL) while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Ask the instructor applicant to identify hazards, including AI.VII.D.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.D.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) Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL) 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) Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL) 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 D: Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL).
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands soft-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.D.K1:
    Purpose of and procedures for soft-field approach and landing.
  • AI.VII.D.K2:
    A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
  • AI.VII.D.K3:
    Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance.
  • AI.VII.D.K4:
    Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.
  • AI.VII.D.K5:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.D.R1:
    Selection of runway based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, available distance, and wind.
  • AI.VII.D.R2:
    Effects of:
    • AI.VII.D.R2a:
      a. Crosswind
    • AI.VII.D.R2b:
      b. Windshear
    • AI.VII.D.R2c:
      c. Tailwind
    • AI.VII.D.R2d:
      d. Wake turbulence
    • AI.VII.D.R2e:
      e. Runway surface/condition
  • AI.VII.D.R3:
    Planning for:
    • AI.VII.D.R3a:
      a. Rejected landing and go-around
    • AI.VII.D.R3b:
      b. Land and hold short operations (LAHSO)
  • AI.VII.D.R4:
    Collision hazards.
  • AI.VII.D.R5:
    Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • AI.VII.D.R6:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 14 ACS Elements
  • AI.VII.D.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • AI.VII.D.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • AI.VII.D.S3:
    Ensure the airplane is aligned with the correct/assigned runway.
  • AI.VII.D.S4:
    Scan the landing runway and adjoining area for traffic and obstructions.
  • AI.VII.D.S5:
    Select and aim for a suitable touchdown point considering the wind conditions, landing surface, and obstructions.
  • AI.VII.D.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.D.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.D.S8:
    Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing.
  • AI.VII.D.S9:
    Make smooth, timely, and correct control inputs during the round out and touchdown, and, for tricycle gear airplanes, keep the nose wheel off the surface until loss of elevator effectiveness.
  • AI.VII.D.S10:
    Touch down at a proper pitch attitude with minimum sink rate, no side drift, and with the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with the center of the runway.
  • AI.VII.D.S11:
    Maintain elevator as recommended by manufacturer during rollout and exit the “soft” area at a speed that would preclude sinking into the surface.
  • AI.VII.D.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.D.S13:
    Maintain proper position of the flight controls and sufficient speed to taxi while on the soft surface.
  • AI.VII.D.S14:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL) 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.