Flight Instructor (Airplane) Night Operations Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Night Operations 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 night Operations.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

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

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Night Operations 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) Night Operations 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 M, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands night operations, 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.M.K1: Physiological aspects of vision related to night flying.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.II.M.K2: Lighting systems identifying airports, runways, taxiways and obstructions, as well as pilot controlled lighting.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.II.M.K3: Airplane equipment and lighting requirements for night operations.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.II.M.K4: Personal equipment essential for night flight.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.II.M.K5: Night orientation, navigation, chart reading techniques and methods for maintaining night vision effectiveness.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.II.M.K6: Use of instruments to verify the aircraft attitude at night.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.II.M.K7: Visual illusions at night.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.II.M.K8: Night taxi operations.
    • Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.II.M.K9: Interpretation of traffic position and direction based solely on position lights.
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.II.M.R1: Inoperative equipment.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.II.M.R2: Weather considerations specific to night operations.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.II.M.R3: Collision hazards.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.II.M.R4: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.II.M.R5: Effect of visual illusions and night adaptation during all phases of night flying.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.II.M.R6: Runway incursion.
    • Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.II.M.R7: Night currency versus proficiency.
    • 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.M.S1: Teach at least one of the elements listed in K1 through K9.
    • 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) Night Operations Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving night Operations while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
  • Ask the instructor applicant to identify hazards, including AI.II.M.R1: Inoperative equipment, and teach how each risk will be controlled.
  • Require the instructor applicant to explain, demonstrate, or coach the learner through AI.II.M.S1: Teach at least one of the elements listed in K1 through K9, 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) Night Operations 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) Night Operations Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Night Operations 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 M: Night Operations.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands night operations, 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; POH/AFM
Knowledge 9 ACS Elements
  • AI.II.M.K1:
    Physiological aspects of vision related to night flying.
  • AI.II.M.K2:
    Lighting systems identifying airports, runways, taxiways and obstructions, as well as pilot controlled lighting.
  • AI.II.M.K3:
    Airplane equipment and lighting requirements for night operations.
  • AI.II.M.K4:
    Personal equipment essential for night flight.
  • AI.II.M.K5:
    Night orientation, navigation, chart reading techniques and methods for maintaining night vision effectiveness.
  • AI.II.M.K6:
    Use of instruments to verify the aircraft attitude at night.
  • AI.II.M.K7:
    Visual illusions at night.
  • AI.II.M.K8:
    Night taxi operations.
  • AI.II.M.K9:
    Interpretation of traffic position and direction based solely on position lights.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
  • AI.II.M.R1:
    Inoperative equipment.
  • AI.II.M.R2:
    Weather considerations specific to night operations.
  • AI.II.M.R3:
    Collision hazards.
  • AI.II.M.R4:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • AI.II.M.R5:
    Effect of visual illusions and night adaptation during all phases of night flying.
  • AI.II.M.R6:
    Runway incursion.
  • AI.II.M.R7:
    Night currency versus proficiency.
Skills 1 ACS Element
  • AI.II.M.S1:
    Teach at least one of the elements listed in K1 through K9.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Night Operations Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in night Operations 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.