Flight Instructor (Airplane) Human Factors Lesson Plan

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

The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Human Factors Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Human Factors 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 human Factors.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant understands personal health, flight physiology, aeromedical and human factors, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Human Factors 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) Human Factors 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 A, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands personal health, flight physiology, aeromedical and human factors, 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.A.K1: Symptoms, recognition, causes, effects, and corrective actions associated with aeromedical and physiological issues, including:
      • AI.II.A.K1a: a. Hypoxia
      • AI.II.A.K1b: b. Hyperventilation
      • AI.II.A.K1c: c. Middle ear and sinus problems
      • AI.II.A.K1d: d. Spatial disorientation
      • AI.II.A.K1e: e. Motion sickness
      • AI.II.A.K1f: f. Carbon monoxide poisoning
      • AI.II.A.K1g: g. Stress
      • AI.II.A.K1h: h. Fatigue
      • AI.II.A.K1i: i. Dehydration and nutrition
      • AI.II.A.K1j: j. Hypothermia
      • AI.II.A.K1k: k. Optical illusions
      • AI.II.A.K1l: l. Dissolved nitrogen in the bloodstream after scuba dives
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.II.A.K2: Regulations regarding use of alcohol and drugs.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.II.A.K3: Effects of alcohol, drugs, and over-the-counter medications.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.II.A.K4: Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) to include using Crew Resource Management (CRM) or Single- Pilot Resource Management (SRM), as appropriate.
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.II.A.R1: Aeromedical and physiological issues.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.II.A.R2: Hazardous attitudes.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.II.A.R3: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.II.A.R4: Confirmation and expectation bias.
    • 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.A.S1: Associate the symptoms and effects for at least three of the conditions listed in K1a through K1l with the cause(s) and corrective action(s).
    • Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.II.A.S2: Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, for actual flight or a scenario given by the evaluator.
    • 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) Human Factors Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving human Factors while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Ask the instructor applicant to identify hazards, including AI.II.A.R1: Aeromedical and physiological issues, and teach how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the instructor applicant to explain, demonstrate, or coach the learner through AI.II.A.S1: Associate the symptoms and effects for at least three of the conditions listed in K1a through K1l with the cause(s) and corrective action(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) Human Factors 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) Human Factors Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Human Factors 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 A: Human Factors.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands personal health, flight physiology, aeromedical and human factors, 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
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
  • AI.II.A.K1:
    Symptoms, recognition, causes, effects, and corrective actions associated with aeromedical and physiological issues, including:
    • AI.II.A.K1a:
      a. Hypoxia
    • AI.II.A.K1b:
      b. Hyperventilation
    • AI.II.A.K1c:
      c. Middle ear and sinus problems
    • AI.II.A.K1d:
      d. Spatial disorientation
    • AI.II.A.K1e:
      e. Motion sickness
    • AI.II.A.K1f:
      f. Carbon monoxide poisoning
    • AI.II.A.K1g:
      g. Stress
    • AI.II.A.K1h:
      h. Fatigue
    • AI.II.A.K1i:
      i. Dehydration and nutrition
    • AI.II.A.K1j:
      j. Hypothermia
    • AI.II.A.K1k:
      k. Optical illusions
    • AI.II.A.K1l:
      l. Dissolved nitrogen in the bloodstream after scuba dives
  • AI.II.A.K2:
    Regulations regarding use of alcohol and drugs.
  • AI.II.A.K3:
    Effects of alcohol, drugs, and over-the-counter medications.
  • AI.II.A.K4:
    Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) to include using Crew Resource Management (CRM) or Single- Pilot Resource Management (SRM), as appropriate.
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
  • AI.II.A.R1:
    Aeromedical and physiological issues.
  • AI.II.A.R2:
    Hazardous attitudes.
  • AI.II.A.R3:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • AI.II.A.R4:
    Confirmation and expectation bias.
Skills 2 ACS Elements
  • AI.II.A.S1:
    Associate the symptoms and effects for at least three of the conditions listed in K1a through K1l with the cause(s) and corrective action(s).
  • AI.II.A.S2:
    Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, for actual flight or a scenario given by the evaluator.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Human Factors Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in human Factors 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.