Flight Instructor (Airplane) Aircraft Flight Controls and Operation of Systems Lesson Plan

Flight Instructor (Airplane) • ACS Area II, Task E

The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Aircraft Flight Controls and Operation of Systems Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Aircraft Flight Controls and Operation of Systems 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 aircraft Flight Controls and Operation of Systems.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant understands flight controls and systems on the airplane provided for the flight test, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Aircraft Flight Controls and Operation of Systems Lesson Plan

Materials

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Aircraft Flight Controls and Operation of Systems 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 II, Task E, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands flight controls and systems on the airplane provided for the flight test, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    • Using the airplane provided for the practical test and its POH/AFM, have the applicant teach each applicable system's purpose, major components, controls, power source, normal indications, limitations, interdependencies, and failure indications, including: (AI.II.E.K1)
      • Primary flight controls (AI.II.E.K1a)
      • Secondary flight controls (AI.II.E.K1b)
      • Powerplant and propeller (AI.II.E.K1c)
      • Landing gear (AI.II.E.K1d)
      • Fuel, oil, and hydraulic (AI.II.E.K1e)
      • Electrical (AI.II.E.K1f)
      • Avionics (AI.II.E.K1g)
      • Pitot-static, vacuum/pressure, and associated flight instruments (AI.II.E.K1h)
      • Environmental (AI.II.E.K1i)
      • Deicing and anti-icing (AI.II.E.K1j)
      • Water rudders (ASES, AMES) (AI.II.E.K1k)
      • Oxygen system (AI.II.E.K1l)
    • Present abnormal indications from selected systems and require the applicant to interpret the indications, identify affected and dependent systems, locate the applicable checklist or POH/AFM procedure, and teach the immediate and follow-up actions without creating an actual unsafe condition. (AI.II.E.K2)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Require a malfunction-detection plan that uses indications, annunciations, control response, cross-checks, and aircraft-specific checks while guarding against confirmation bias and fixation. (AI.II.E.R1)
    • For a selected failure, require the applicant to maintain aircraft control, apply the appropriate checklist, manage workload, protect remaining capability, communicate as needed, and choose a safe continuation, diversion, or landing plan. (AI.II.E.R2)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply active monitoring of automated systems through mode-annunciation, source, flightpath, and configuration checks; include mode confusion, automation surprise, overreliance, and safe reversion to a lower level of automation or manual control. (AI.II.E.R3)
    • Before instruction in an unfamiliar airplane or display system, require limitations and procedures review, identification of system differences, a ground-based orientation, conservative operating limits, and a clear transfer-of-control and intervention plan. (AI.II.E.R4)
    • Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
  • Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Require the applicant to operate and teach at least three applicable systems from K1a through K1l, using the correct controls, indications, limitations, checklist procedures, and cross-checks while maintaining aircraft control and monitoring the learner. (AI.II.E.S1)
    • 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) Aircraft Flight Controls and Operation of Systems Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Assign a flight or training-device scenario requiring the instructor applicant to teach three applicable systems, their interdependencies, normal indications, limitations, and aircraft-specific operating procedures.
  • Introduce an abnormal indication, automation-mode discrepancy, or unfamiliar-display issue and require the applicant to detect it, verify it, apply the proper procedure, manage remaining capability, and select a safe course of action. (AI.II.E.R1–R4)
  • Require the applicant to operate and teach at least three systems while maintaining positive aircraft control, monitoring the learner, using checklists correctly, and explaining the resulting indications. (AI.II.E.S1)
  • Introduce a realistic learner error such as incorrect source selection, mode confusion, missed annunciation, checklist omission, or premature troubleshooting and require timely intervention and learner-centered correction.
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to the ACS knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Aircraft Flight Controls and Operation of Systems 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) Aircraft Flight Controls and Operation of Systems Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Aircraft Flight Controls and Operation of Systems Airman Certification Standards

  • Note: The evaluator must select Tasks C, K, and at least one other Task from this Area of Operation. The evaluator must also select Task P for multiengine applicants.
  • Task E: Aircraft Flight Controls and Operation of Systems.
  • Note: If K1 is selected, the evaluator must assess the applicant's knowledge of all sub elements.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands flight controls and systems on the airplane provided for the flight test, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
Knowledge 2 ACS Elements
  • AI.II.E.K1:
    Airplane systems, including:
    • AI.II.E.K1a:
      Primary flight controls
    • AI.II.E.K1b:
      Secondary flight controls
    • AI.II.E.K1c:
      Powerplant and propeller
    • AI.II.E.K1d:
      Landing gear
    • AI.II.E.K1e:
      Fuel, oil, and hydraulic
    • AI.II.E.K1f:
      Electrical
    • AI.II.E.K1g:
      Avionics
    • AI.II.E.K1h:
      Pitot-static, vacuum/pressure, and associated flight instruments
    • AI.II.E.K1i:
      Environmental
    • AI.II.E.K1j:
      Deicing and anti-icing
    • AI.II.E.K1k:
      Water rudders (ASES, AMES)
    • AI.II.E.K1l:
      Oxygen system
  • AI.II.E.K2:
    Indications of and procedures for managing system abnormalities or failures.
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
  • AI.II.E.R1:
    Detection of system malfunctions or failures.
  • AI.II.E.R2:
    Management of a system failure.
  • AI.II.E.R3:
    Monitoring and management of automated systems.
  • AI.II.E.R4:
    Providing instruction in unfamiliar aircraft or operating with unfamiliar flight display systems and avionics.
Skills 1 ACS Element
  • AI.II.E.S1:
    Operate at least three of the systems listed in K1a through K1l appropriately.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Aircraft Flight Controls and Operation of Systems Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in aircraft Flight Controls and Operation of Systems 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.