Flight Instructor (Airplane) National Airspace System Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) National Airspace System 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 national Airspace System.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant understands the National Airspace System, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) National Airspace System 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, Notices to Airmen (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) National Airspace System 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 G, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands the National Airspace System, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    • Compare Classes A, B, C, D, E, and G airspace by dimensions, chart depiction, entry and operating requirements, pilot and equipment qualifications, communications, clearances, transponder and ADS-B requirements, speed limits, and basic VFR weather minimums. (AI.II.G.K1)
    • Teach the learner to interpret sectional and terminal-area chart symbols, legends, boundaries, altitudes, frequencies, airport data, obstacles, and other information needed to determine the controlling airspace and operating requirements at a specific location and altitude. (AI.II.G.K2)
    • Distinguish prohibited, restricted, warning, military operations, and alert areas; controlled firing areas; national security areas; military training routes; temporary flight restrictions; special flight rules areas; special air traffic rules; and other airspace areas, including how to obtain status and authorization when required. (AI.II.G.K3)
    • Demonstrate how to verify the effective date and currency of charts, chart supplements, Notices to Airmen, temporary flight restrictions, and electronic navigation data before relying on them for planning or flight. (AI.II.G.K4)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain special VFR eligibility, weather and visibility requirements, aircraft and pilot qualifications, clearance and communication requirements, nighttime limitations, and circumstances in which requesting or accepting special VFR would be imprudent. (AI.II.G.K5)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Assign a route through multiple classes and types of airspace and require the learner to identify boundary and altitude transitions, obtain current status information, anticipate communications and equipment requirements, select conservative weather margins, and plan alternatives for denied entry, lost communication, or changing conditions. (AI.II.G.R1)
    • Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
  • Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Give the learner representative locations, altitudes, and weather conditions and require correct determination of the controlling airspace, applicable basic VFR weather minimums, and whether the proposed operation is legal and prudent. (AI.II.G.S1)
    • Have the learner use current charts and publications to identify airspace along a route and explain or demonstrate compliance with each associated clearance, communication, equipment, transponder, ADS-B, and operating requirement. (AI.II.G.S2)
    • Have the learner determine the status and operating requirements for applicable special-use airspace and temporary flight restrictions, then identify and comply with any special air traffic rule or special flight rules area procedure that affects the scenario. (AI.II.G.S3)
    • 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) National Airspace System Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Assign a VFR route that crosses several airspace classes, passes near special-use airspace, and is affected by a temporary flight restriction or special flight rules area; require the instructor applicant to teach the chart, publication, and regulatory concepts needed to plan it. (AI.II.G.K1–K5)
  • Require the learner to identify every airspace transition, determine applicable weather, communication, clearance, and equipment requirements, obtain current status information, and select practical alternatives if conditions or access change. (AI.II.G.R1; AI.II.G.S1–S3)
  • Introduce a realistic error, such as relying on an expired chart, overlooking a shelf altitude, assuming special-use airspace is inactive, or confusing legal weather minimums with safe personal minimums, and require timely instructor intervention and correction.
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to the ACS knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) National Airspace System 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) National Airspace System Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) National Airspace System 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 G: National Airspace System.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands the National Airspace System, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • References: 14 CFR parts 71, 91, 93; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-25; VFR Navigation Charts
Knowledge 5 ACS Elements
  • AI.II.G.K1:
    Airspace classes and associated requirements and limitations.
  • AI.II.G.K2:
    Chart symbols.
  • AI.II.G.K3:
    Special use airspace (SUA), special flight rules areas (SFRA), temporary flight restrictions (TFR), and other airspace areas.
  • AI.II.G.K4:
    Currency of publications.
  • AI.II.G.K5:
    Special visual flight rules (VFR) requirements.
Risk Management 1 ACS Element
  • AI.II.G.R1:
    Various classes and types of airspace.
Skills 3 ACS Elements
  • AI.II.G.S1:
    Identify and comply with the requirements for basic VFR weather minimums and flying in particular classes of airspace.
  • AI.II.G.S2:
    Correctly identify airspace and operate in accordance with associated communication and equipment requirements.
  • AI.II.G.S3:
    Identify the requirements for operating in SUA or within a TFR. Identify and comply with special air traffic rules (SATR) and SFRA operations, if applicable.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) National Airspace System Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in national Airspace System 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.