Flight Instructor (Airplane) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Navigation Systems and Radar Services 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 navigation Systems and Radar Services.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant understands navigation systems and radar services, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Lesson Plan

Materials

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Navigation Systems and Radar Services 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 H, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands navigation systems and radar services, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply ground-based navigation through equipment identification and checks, station identification, orientation, course and radial determination, service volumes, line-of-sight and interference limitations, applicable regulations, use of current navigation data, and verification of signal integrity before reliance. (AI.II.H.K1)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply satellite-based navigation through equipment approval and operating modes, database currency and authorized use, waypoint verification, integrity monitoring and Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring availability, annunciations, system limitations, and suitable backup navigation. (AI.II.H.K2)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain radar assistance available to VFR aircraft, including service requests, required equipment and communications, flight following, traffic advisories, safety alerts, vectors, workload considerations, coverage limitations, and the pilot's continuing responsibility for aircraft control and collision avoidance. (AI.II.H.K3)
    • Compare Mode A, C, and S transponders and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast equipment, including codes and emergency use, altitude reporting, required airspace, ADS-B In versus Out, traffic-display limitations, proper operation, and procedures for failures or air traffic control requests. (AI.II.H.K4)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Require deliberate management of automated navigation and autoflight systems through preflight setup, independent verification, active-mode awareness, continuous monitoring, and prompt transition to a simpler mode or manual navigation when automation behavior is unexpected. (AI.II.H.R1)
    • Introduce a high-workload navigation task and require the learner to maintain aircraft control, prioritize, delay nonessential programming, use available resources, and preserve position and orientation awareness. (AI.II.H.R2)
    • Have the learner identify accuracy, coverage, geometry, reception, database, equipment, and human-interface limitations of the system in use and establish a cross-check or backup before those limitations become critical. (AI.II.H.R3)
    • Simulate degradation or loss of the navigation signal and require recognition of invalid or absent guidance, aircraft control, position confirmation by independent means, transition to a suitable backup, communication when appropriate, and revision of the flight plan. (AI.II.H.R4)
    • When an electronic flight bag is used, require current data, adequate power and thermal management, secure mounting, appropriate display settings, disciplined interaction, independent verification, and a usable backup for device or application failure. (AI.II.H.R5)
    • Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
  • Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Have the learner inspect, configure, identify, test, program, verify, and operate an installed airborne electronic navigation system without compromising aircraft control. (AI.II.H.S1)
    • Require the learner to determine and cross-check the airplane's position using bearing, distance, course, waypoint, map, or other available navigation information. (AI.II.H.S2)
    • Demonstrate and have the learner intercept and track an assigned course, radial, or bearing using appropriate orientation, intercept angle, wind correction, and trend control. (AI.II.H.S3)
    • Have the learner recognize and explain station or waypoint passage using the applicable bearing, course-deviation, distance, flag, or annunciation changes rather than relying on a single cue. (AI.II.H.S4)
    • Practice requesting and using radar services with proper identification, position, altitude, request, readback, transponder, traffic-advisory response, termination, and frequency-change procedures. (AI.II.H.S5)
    • 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) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Assign a VFR route that requires both ground- or satellite-based navigation and radar assistance; require the instructor applicant to teach equipment checks, system setup, signal and database verification, transponder or ADS-B operation, and the limits of each available service. (AI.II.H.K1–K4)
  • Have the learner determine position, intercept and track an assigned course, identify station or waypoint passage, and request and use radar services with correct communications. (AI.II.H.S1–S5)
  • Introduce mode confusion, excessive programming workload, an electronic-flight-bag failure, or loss of navigation integrity and require aircraft control, recognition, transition to an independent backup, communication, and a justified change to the plan. (AI.II.H.R1–R5)
  • Introduce a realistic learner error, such as failing to identify a station, accepting an unverified waypoint, chasing the course needle, or treating traffic information as collision-avoidance authority, 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) Navigation Systems and Radar Services 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) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Navigation Systems and Radar Services 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 H: Navigation Systems and Radar Services.
  • Note: The evaluator should reference the manufacturer’s equipment supplement(s) as necessary for appropriate limitations, procedures, etc.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands navigation systems and radar services, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • References: AC 91-78; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-25
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
  • AI.II.H.K1:
    Ground-based navigation (identification, orientation, course determination, equipment, tests, regulations, interference, appropriate use of navigation data, and signal integrity).
  • AI.II.H.K2:
    Satellite-based navigation (e.g., equipment, regulations, authorized use of databases, and Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM)).
  • AI.II.H.K3:
    Radar assistance to visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft (e.g., operations, equipment, available services, traffic advisories).
  • AI.II.H.K4:
    Transponder (Mode(s) A, C, and S) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B).
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
  • AI.II.H.R1:
    Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
  • AI.II.H.R2:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • AI.II.H.R3:
    Limitations of the navigation system in use.
  • AI.II.H.R4:
    Loss of a navigation signal.
  • AI.II.H.R5:
    Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
Skills 5 ACS Elements
  • AI.II.H.S1:
    Use an airborne electronic navigation system.
  • AI.II.H.S2:
    Determine the airplane's position using the navigation system.
  • AI.II.H.S3:
    Intercept and track a given course, radial, or bearing.
  • AI.II.H.S4:
    Recognize and describe the indication of station or waypoint passage.
  • AI.II.H.S5:
    Use proper communication procedures when utilizing radar services.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Navigation Systems and Radar Services Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in navigation Systems and Radar Services 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.