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

  • 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) 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:
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.II.E.K1: Airplane systems, including:
      • AI.II.E.K1a: a. Primary flight controls
      • AI.II.E.K1b: b. Secondary flight controls
      • AI.II.E.K1c: c. Powerplant and propeller
      • AI.II.E.K1d: d. Landing gear
      • AI.II.E.K1e: e. Fuel, oil, and hydraulic
      • AI.II.E.K1f: f. Electrical
      • AI.II.E.K1g: g. Avionics
      • AI.II.E.K1h: h. Pitot-static, vacuum/pressure, and associated flight instruments
      • AI.II.E.K1i: i. Environmental
      • AI.II.E.K1j: j. Deicing and anti-icing
      • AI.II.E.K1k: k. Water rudders (ASES, AMES)
      • AI.II.E.K1l: l. Oxygen system
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.II.E.K2: Indications of and procedures for managing system abnormalities or failures.
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.II.E.R1: Detection of system malfunctions or failures.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.II.E.R2: Management of a system failure.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.II.E.R3: Monitoring and management of automated systems.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.II.E.R4: Providing instruction in unfamiliar aircraft or operating with unfamiliar flight display systems and avionics.
    • 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.II.E.S1: Operate at least three of the systems listed in K1a through K1l appropriately.
    • 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)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving aircraft Flight Controls and Operation of Systems while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Ask the instructor applicant to identify hazards, including AI.II.E.R1: Detection of system malfunctions or failures, and teach how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the instructor applicant to explain, demonstrate, or coach the learner through AI.II.E.S1: Operate at least three of the systems listed in K1a through K1l appropriately, 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) 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:
      a. Primary flight controls
    • AI.II.E.K1b:
      b. Secondary flight controls
    • AI.II.E.K1c:
      c. Powerplant and propeller
    • AI.II.E.K1d:
      d. Landing gear
    • AI.II.E.K1e:
      e. Fuel, oil, and hydraulic
    • AI.II.E.K1f:
      f. Electrical
    • AI.II.E.K1g:
      g. Avionics
    • AI.II.E.K1h:
      h. Pitot-static, vacuum/pressure, and associated flight instruments
    • AI.II.E.K1i:
      i. Environmental
    • AI.II.E.K1j:
      j. Deicing and anti-icing
    • AI.II.E.K1k:
      k. Water rudders (ASES, AMES)
    • AI.II.E.K1l:
      l. 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.