Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) • PTS Area VI, Task G

The Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan covers the instructional objectives required by FAA-S-8081-9E.

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Steep Turns 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 steep turns.
    • 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) Steep Turns 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) Steep Turns Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Review the common errors and their associated mitigations with the learner.
    • Have the learner explain how to recognize, prevent, and correct each applicable error using aircraft-specific procedures and limitations.
    • Use a scenario or observed practice error to verify the learner can select and apply the mitigation.
  • 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 VI, Task G, and the Practical Test Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine that the applicant:
  • Part 2, PTS Objective Instruction:
    • Teach instrument steep-turn entries, stabilization, and recoveries using full-panel and partial-panel references. (CFII.VI.G.1)
      • procedure using full panel and partial panel for entry and recovery of a steep turn. (CFII.VI.G.1a)
      • the need for a proper instrument cross-check. (CFII.VI.G.1b)
      • roll-in/roll-out procedure. (CFII.VI.G.1c)
      • coordination of control and trim. (CFII.VI.G.1d)
    • Teach the recognition, consequences, and correction of common instrument steep-turn errors. (CFII.VI.G.2)
      • failure to recognize and make proper corrections for pitch, bank, or power errors. (CFII.VI.G.2a)
      • failure to compensate for precession of the horizon bar of the attitude indicator. (CFII.VI.G.2b)
      • uncoordinated use of controls. (CFII.VI.G.2c)
      • improper trim technique. (CFII.VI.G.2d)
    • Demonstrate and simultaneously explain instrument steep turns. (CFII.VI.G.3)
    • Analyze and correct simulated learner errors during instrument steep turns. If the aircraft uses a turn needle, substitute it for the turn coordinator's miniature aircraft. (CFII.VI.G.4)
  • Part 3, Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Have the applicant demonstrate coordinated roll-in, stabilized bank and altitude control, an effective instrument cross-check, proper power and trim, and a planned rollout to the assigned heading.
    • Repeat representative steep turns partial panel while explaining the increased load factor, overbanking tendency, control pressures, and reduced margin for error.
    • Introduce a pitch, bank, power, attitude-indicator precession, coordination, or trim error and assess diagnosis and correction. (CFII.VI.G.2, G.4)
    • Set altitude, airspeed, bank, load-factor, and aircraft-limitation intervention criteria before the maneuver.
  • 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) Steep Turns Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • At a safe altitude in simulated instrument conditions, require the applicant to teach steep turns in both directions using full-panel and partial-panel references. (CFII.VI.G.1, G.3)
  • Introduce one pitch, bank, power, precession, coordination, or trim error and require diagnosis, coaching, and reassessment. (CFII.VI.G.2, G.4)
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to every PTS objective.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan

Student Actions

  • Review the common errors and their associated mitigations before practice.
    • Explain the mitigation for each applicable error and identify how you will apply it during the maneuver.
    • During the debrief, identify any errors made and the correction to use on the next attempt.
  • 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) Steep Turns Lesson Plan

Practical Test Standards

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Steep Turns Practical Test Standards

  • Source: FAA-S-8081-9E, Flight Instructor Instrument Practical Test Standards for Airplane and Helicopter.
  • Area VI, Task G: Steep Turns.
  • Area note: The evaluator shall select Task H and at least one other Task. The applicant shall select either the primary and supporting or the control and performance method for teaching this Area of Operation.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-15; FAA-S-ACS-8, FAA-S-ACS-14.
  • Objective: To determine that the applicant:
Objective Elements 4 PTS Elements
  • CFII.VI.G.1:
    Exhibits instructional knowledge of steep turns by describing —
    • CFII.VI.G.1a:
      procedure using full panel and partial panel for entry and recovery of a steep turn.
    • CFII.VI.G.1b:
      the need for a proper instrument cross-check.
    • CFII.VI.G.1c:
      roll-in/roll-out procedure.
    • CFII.VI.G.1d:
      coordination of control and trim.
  • CFII.VI.G.2:
    Exhibits instructional knowledge of common errors related to steep turns by describing—
    • CFII.VI.G.2a:
      failure to recognize and make proper corrections for pitch, bank, or power errors.
    • CFII.VI.G.2b:
      failure to compensate for precession of the horizon bar of the attitude indicator.
    • CFII.VI.G.2c:
      uncoordinated use of controls.
    • CFII.VI.G.2d:
      improper trim technique.
  • CFII.VI.G.3:
    Demonstrates and simultaneously explains steep turns from an instructional standpoint.
  • CFII.VI.G.4:
    Analyzes and corrects simulated common errors related to steep turns. 1 If the aircraft used for the practical test has a turn needle, substitute turn needle for miniature aircraft of turn coordinator.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in steep turns 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.