Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) • PTS Area IX, Task B

The Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan covers the instructional objectives required by FAA-S-8081-9E.

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, PTS Objective Instruction:
    0:45
    Part 3, Demonstration and Teaching:
    0:30
    Part 4, Guided Scenario:
    0:20
    Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present an IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) teaching scenario in which safety or learner understanding depends on effective instruction in approach with loss of primary flight instrument indicators.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine that the applicant:

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Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Materials

  • Required Materials:

    • Writing instrument and instructional surface.
    • FAA-S-8081-9E, Flight Instructor Instrument Practical Test Standards for Airplane and Helicopter.
    • Lesson plan, student training record, and applicable instructor records.

  • Optional Materials:

    • Model-specific Pilot's Operating Handbook or Airplane Flight Manual (POH/AFM).
    • Current IFR charts, procedures, weather information, Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), and electronic flight bag, as applicable.
    • Airplane, approved aviation training device, cockpit procedures trainer, or classroom teaching aids, as appropriate.

  • Reference Materials:

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review the reference materials, applicable airplane limitations, and the instructor applicant's preparation.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    • Present the attention getter and motivator.
    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain Area of Operation IX, Task B, and the Practical Test Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine that the applicant:
  • Part 2, PTS Objective Instruction:
    • Teach the recognition and management of inaccurate or inoperative primary flight instrument indications. (CFII.IX.B.1)
      • Use instrument cross-check, comparator or warning indications, system knowledge, and supporting indications to recognize and confirm an inaccurate or inoperative indicator; advise ATC and the evaluator. (CFII.IX.B.1a)
      • Notify ATC and the evaluator whenever the aircraft cannot comply with a clearance, and communicate whether the flight can continue safely. (CFII.IX.B.1b)
      • Use the remaining navigation and standby equipment effectively, then plan and conduct a nonprecision approach without the failed primary indicators. (CFII.IX.B.1c)
    • Teach the applicant to recognize, explain, and correct common errors associated with loss of primary flight instrument indications. (CFII.IX.B.2)
      • recognition of failed system components that relate to primary flight instrument indication(s). (CFII.IX.B.2a)
      • failure to notify ATC of situation. (CFII.IX.B.2b)
      • failure to transition to emergency mode/standby instrumentation. (CFII.IX.B.2c)
    • Demonstrate and simultaneously explain a nonprecision approach without the affected primary flight instrument indicators. (CFII.IX.B.3)
    • Analyze simulated learner errors, intervene before safety margins erode, and coach an effective correction. (CFII.IX.B.4)
  • Part 3, Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Have the applicant use a failure scenario to demonstrate the transition from suspect indications to confirmed failure, stable partial-panel flight, ATC (Air Traffic Control) coordination, navigation setup, and a nonprecision approach.
    • Require positive transfer of aircraft control, a disciplined instrument cross-check, appropriate use of standby equipment and automation, and continuous monitoring for secondary failures.
    • Introduce fixation, incorrect failure diagnosis, delayed ATC notification, and failure to transition to standby instruments; assess whether the applicant identifies the cause and corrects the learner without creating excessive workload.
    • Establish intervention and discontinue criteria for loss of control, unreliable navigation, compounding failures, or an approach that becomes unstable.
  • Part 4, Guided Scenario:
    • Lead the guided scenario and evaluate organization, technical accuracy, risk management, learner engagement, and every applicable PTS objective.
  • Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:
    • Review the 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 Instrument (Airplane) Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During an IFR arrival, present disagreeing attitude, heading, or air-data indications that require the learner to identify the failed indication, transition to reliable instruments, and advise ATC. (CFII.IX.B.1)
  • Continue the same flight into a nonprecision approach using the remaining instruments and navigation equipment while maintaining a stabilized approach. (CFII.IX.B.3)
  • Insert one common error—incorrect failure diagnosis, fixation, delayed notification, or failure to use standby instruments—and require the instructor applicant to diagnose, correct, and explain it. (CFII.IX.B.2, B.4)
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to every PTS objective.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Student Actions

  • Complete assigned readings and prepare a lesson plan with objective, content sequence, teaching aids, assessment, and completion standards.
  • Teach every applicable PTS objective accurately and in learner-appropriate language.
  • Identify, assess, mitigate, and teach risks associated with the task.
  • Explain or demonstrate applicable procedures while maintaining positive control, observing the learner, and correcting errors appropriately.
  • Use effective questions, check understanding, conduct a learner-centered assessment, and perform an instructor self-assessment.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Practical Test Standards

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Practical Test Standards

  • Source: FAA-S-8081-9E, Flight Instructor Instrument Practical Test Standards for Airplane and Helicopter.
  • Area IX, Task B: Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators.
  • Area note: The evaluator shall select at least one Task. The evaluator shall omit Tasks C and D unless the applicant furnishes a multiengine airplane for the practical test, then Task C or D is mandatory.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; FAA -H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-15; FAA-S-ACS-8, FAA-S-ACS-14; IAP; AIM.
  • Objective: To determine that the applicant:
Objective Elements 4 PTS Elements
  • CFII.IX.B.1:
    Exhibits instructional knowledge of the elements related to loss of primary flight instrument indicators by describing—
    • CFII.IX.B.1a:
      recognition of inaccurate or inoperative primary instrument indicators and advising ATC and the evaluator.
    • CFII.IX.B.1b:
      notification of ATC or evaluator anytime that the aircraft is unable to comply with an ATC clearance or whether able to continue the flight.
    • CFII.IX.B.1c:
      importance of utilizing navigation equipment in an emergency situation and demonstrating a nonprecision approach without the use of primary flight instruments.
  • CFII.IX.B.2:
    Exhibits instructional knowledge of common errors related to loss of primary flight instrument indicators by describing—
    • CFII.IX.B.2a:
      recognition of failed system components that relate to primary flight instrument indication(s).
    • CFII.IX.B.2b:
      failure to notify ATC of situation.
    • CFII.IX.B.2c:
      failure to transition to emergency mode/standby instrumentation.
  • CFII.IX.B.3:
    Demonstrates and simultaneously explains loss of primary flight instrument indicators by conducting a non-precision approach without the use of these indicators.
  • CFII.IX.B.4:
    Analyzes and corrects common errors related to loss of primary flight instrument indicators.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in approach with loss of primary flight instrument indicators builds sound instrument 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.