Flight Instructor (Airplane) Runway Incursion Avoidance Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Runway Incursion Avoidance 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 runway Incursion Avoidance.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

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

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Runway Incursion Avoidance 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) Runway Incursion Avoidance 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 C, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands runway incursion avoidance, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    • Ask the learner to define and relate to operational decisions a runway incursion and distinguish it from a surface incident, then classify examples involving incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person in the protected area of a surface designated for landing and takeoff. (AI.II.C.K1)
    • Have the learner use a concrete example to explain how to receive, copy, read back, interpret, amend, and comply with taxi instructions and clearances, including explicit runway-crossing clearances, hold-short instructions, route changes, progressive taxi, and actions when any instruction is unclear. (AI.II.C.K2)
    • Require the learner to record complex taxi instructions, trace and brief the route on a current airport diagram before movement, identify all runway crossings and hold-short points, and keep the diagram available for continuous position verification. (AI.II.C.K3)
    • Identify and apply airport surface markings, signs, lighting, runway guard lights, stop-bar indications, and runway holding-position markings, emphasizing that no part of the aircraft may cross a hold line without authorization when a clearance is required. (AI.II.C.K4)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply a sterile and organized flight deck during taxi through route planning, hotspot review, division of duties, exterior scanning, controlled speed, aircraft-light use, continuous position verification, and timely communication with air traffic control. (AI.II.C.K5)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply uncontrolled-airport procedures, including monitoring and announcing on the correct frequency, observing traffic and wind indicators, using standard pattern flows, checking final and approach areas before entry, avoiding assumptions based on radio calls, and yielding when doubt exists. (AI.II.C.K6)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Require the learner to stop the aircraft before programming, checklist work, troubleshooting, teaching, or any distraction that prevents continuous control and position awareness; re-establish position before resuming. (AI.II.C.R1)
    • Give a taxi instruction that differs from the expected route and require an exact readback, diagram verification, and clarification rather than allowing expectation or confirmation bias to fill in missing information. (AI.II.C.R2)
    • Before every runway entry or crossing, require explicit clearance when applicable, visual verification of the runway designation and holding position, a final-approach and runway scan, correct light use, and immediate clarification of any conflict. (AI.II.C.R3)
    • For night taxi, reduce speed, preserve night vision, use airport diagrams and lighting deliberately, verify signs and markings at close range, and stop when glare, darkness, or confusing light patterns make position uncertain. (AI.II.C.R4)
    • For low-visibility taxi, require conservative movement, precise route and position monitoring, full use of available surface guidance, appropriate exterior lighting, additional spacing, and a stop-and-clarify response to uncertainty. (AI.II.C.R5)
    • After landing, maintain control and runway awareness, exit only at a safe speed onto an unmistakable taxiway, cross the entire runway holding-position marking before stopping, and complete after-landing tasks only after clear of the runway. (AI.II.C.R6)
    • On taxiways between parallel runways, identify both runway holding positions, avoid assuming that one crossing clearance applies to the second runway, monitor closely for amended instructions, and stop in a safe location if clearance or position is uncertain. (AI.II.C.R7)
    • Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
  • Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Have the instructor applicant teach and assess runway-incursion avoidance through an airport-diagram exercise and realistic taxi scenario that includes clearance copying and readback, route briefing, signs and markings, hotspot awareness, runway crossings, position verification, sterile-cockpit discipline, and stop-and-clarify decisions. (AI.II.C.S1)
    • 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) Runway Incursion Avoidance Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Assign a complex taxi route at an unfamiliar airport and require the instructor applicant to teach the runway-incursion definition, clearance handling, airport-diagram briefing, surface indications, cockpit discipline, and controlled- and uncontrolled-airport procedures. (AI.II.C.K1–K6; AI.II.C.S1)
  • Include a runway crossing, hotspot, route amendment, and parallel-runway or post-landing ambiguity; require exact readbacks, continuous position verification, exterior scanning, and a stop-and-clarify response whenever position or clearance is uncertain. (AI.II.C.R1–R7)
  • Repeat the scenario under night or reduced-visibility conditions and require the learner to adjust speed, lighting, workload, and verification techniques without sacrificing aircraft control or runway awareness.
  • Introduce a realistic learner error, such as turning onto the expected route instead of the cleared route, performing checklist tasks while moving, or treating one crossing clearance as authority for a second runway, 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) Runway Incursion Avoidance 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) Runway Incursion Avoidance Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Runway Incursion Avoidance 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 C: Runway Incursion Avoidance.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands runway incursion avoidance, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • References: AC 91-73; AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-25
Knowledge 6 ACS Elements
  • AI.II.C.K1:
    Runway incursion definition.
  • AI.II.C.K2:
    Taxi instructions/clearances.
  • AI.II.C.K3:
    The importance of recording taxi instructions and reviewing taxi routes on the airport diagram.
  • AI.II.C.K4:
    Airport markings, signs, and lights including the importance of hold lines associated with runways.
  • AI.II.C.K5:
    Appropriate flight deck activities during taxiing, including taxi route planning, briefing the location of Hot Spots, communicating and coordinating with ATC.
  • AI.II.C.K6:
    Communication and operational procedures at uncontrolled airports.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
  • AI.II.C.R1:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • AI.II.C.R2:
    Confirmation or expectation bias as related to taxi instructions.
  • AI.II.C.R3:
    Entering or crossing runways.
  • AI.II.C.R4:
    Night taxi operations.
  • AI.II.C.R5:
    Low visibility taxi operations.
  • AI.II.C.R6:
    Runway incursion after landing.
  • AI.II.C.R7:
    Operating on taxiways between parallel runways.
Skills 1 ACS Element
  • AI.II.C.S1:
    Deliver instruction on the elements and techniques for runway incursion avoidance.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Runway Incursion Avoidance Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in runway Incursion Avoidance 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.