Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Straight-and-Level Flight Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Straight-and-Level Flight 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 straight-and-level flight.
    • 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) Straight-and-Level Flight 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) Straight-and-Level Flight Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Review the maneuver's common errors and assess the learner's understanding of their mitigations.
  • 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 A, and the Practical Test Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine that the applicant:
  • Part 2, PTS Objective Instruction:
    • Teach the instrument references, control relationships, and procedures used to maintain straight-and-level flight. (CFII.VI.A.1)
      • the relationship of pitch, bank, and power in straight-and-level flight. (CFII.VI.A.1a)
      • procedure using full panel and partial panel (CFII.VI.A.1b)
      • coordination of controls and trim. (CFII.VI.A.1c)
    • Teach the recognition, consequences, and correction of common straight-and-level flight errors. (CFII.VI.A.2)
      • slow or improper cross-check during straight-and-level flight. (CFII.VI.A.2a)
      • improper power control. (CFII.VI.A.2b)
      • failure to make smooth, precise corrections, as required. (CFII.VI.A.2c)
      • uncoordinated use of controls. (CFII.VI.A.2d)
      • improper trim control. (CFII.VI.A.2e)
    • Demonstrate and simultaneously explain straight-and-level flight using full-panel and partial-panel references. (CFII.VI.A.3)
    • Analyze and correct simulated learner errors during straight-and-level flight. (CFII.VI.A.4)
  • Part 3, Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Have the applicant demonstrate how pitch, bank, and power establish altitude, heading, and airspeed, then show a disciplined full-panel and partial-panel cross-check.
    • Require coordinated control use, small corrections, proper trim, and simultaneous explanation without degrading aircraft control.
    • Introduce an improper cross-check, power change, abrupt correction, coordination error, or trim error and assess timely diagnosis and correction. (CFII.VI.A.2, A.4)
  • 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) Straight-and-Level Flight Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During simulated instrument cruise, assign altitude, heading, and airspeed constraints and require the applicant to teach stable straight-and-level flight first with full-panel and then partial-panel indications. (CFII.VI.A.1, A.3)
  • Introduce one cross-check, power, coordination, correction, or trim error and require diagnosis, coaching, and reassessment. (CFII.VI.A.2, A.4)
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to every PTS objective.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Straight-and-Level Flight Lesson Plan

Student Actions

  • Review the maneuver's common errors and explain how to prevent and correct each applicable error.
  • 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) Straight-and-Level Flight Lesson Plan

Practical Test Standards

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Straight-and-Level Flight Practical Test Standards

  • Source: FAA-S-8081-9E, Flight Instructor Instrument Practical Test Standards for Airplane and Helicopter.
  • Area VI, Task A: Straight-and-Level Flight.
  • 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.A.1:
    Exhibits instructional knowledge of teaching straight-and-level flight by describing—
    • CFII.VI.A.1a:
      the relationship of pitch, bank, and power in straight-and-level flight.
    • CFII.VI.A.1b:
      procedure using full panel and partial panel
    • CFII.VI.A.1c:
      coordination of controls and trim.
  • CFII.VI.A.2:
    Exhibits instructional knowledge of common errors related to straight-and-level flight by describing—
    • CFII.VI.A.2a:
      slow or improper cross-check during straight-and-level flight.
    • CFII.VI.A.2b:
      improper power control.
    • CFII.VI.A.2c:
      failure to make smooth, precise corrections, as required.
    • CFII.VI.A.2d:
      uncoordinated use of controls.
    • CFII.VI.A.2e:
      improper trim control.
  • CFII.VI.A.3:
    Demonstrates and simultaneously explains straight-and-level flight from an instructional standpoint.
  • CFII.VI.A.4:
    Analyzes and corrects simulated common errors related to straight-and-level flight.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Straight-and-Level Flight Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in straight-and-level flight 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.