Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Circling Approach (Airplane) Lesson Plan

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) • PTS Area VIII, Task D

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

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Circling Approach (Airplane) 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 circling approach (airplane).
    • 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) Circling Approach (Airplane) 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) Circling Approach (Airplane) 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 VIII, Task D, and the Practical Test Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine that the applicant:
  • Part 2, PTS Objective Instruction:
    • Teach the planning, visual transition, maneuvering, and landing decisions required for a circling approach. (CFII.VIII.D.1)
      • selection of the appropriate circling approach maneuver considering the maneuvering capabilities of the aircraft. (CFII.VIII.D.1a)
      • circling approach minimums on the selected instrument approach chart. (CFII.VIII.D.1b)
      • compliance with advisories, clearance instructions, and/or restrictions. (CFII.VIII.D.1c)
      • importance of flying a circling approach pattern that does not exceed the published visibility criteria. (CFII.VIII.D.1d)
      • maintenance of an altitude no lower than the circling MDA until in a position from which a descent to a normal landing can be made. (CFII.VIII.D.1e)
    • Teach the recognition, consequences, and correction of common circling-approach errors. (CFII.VIII.D.2)
      • failure to have essential knowledge of the circling approach information on the instrument approach chart. (CFII.VIII.D.2a)
      • failure to adhere to the published MDA and visibility criteria during the circling approach maneuver. (CFII.VIII.D.2b)
      • inappropriate pilot technique during transition from the circling maneuver to the landing approach. (CFII.VIII.D.2c)
    • Demonstrate and simultaneously explain a circling approach. (CFII.VIII.D.3)
    • Analyze and correct simulated learner errors during a circling approach. (CFII.VIII.D.4)
  • Part 3, Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Require the applicant to brief circling minimums, protected-area considerations, aircraft category and maneuvering capability, runway environment, restrictions, wind, terrain and obstacles, visibility, pattern direction, and missed-approach plan.
    • Before breakout, require the applicant to describe the expected airport environment and planned visual maneuver so the first visual contact does not create surprise or an improvised pattern.
    • Have the applicant demonstrate continuous visual contact, a pattern that remains within the protected area and visibility limits, altitude at or above circling MDA (Minimum Descent Altitude) until a normal descent is possible, and coordinated transition to landing.
    • Introduce a minimums, pattern-size, visual-contact, altitude, wind, or landing-transition error and assess timely go-around or missed-approach intervention and correction. (CFII.VIII.D.2, D.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) Circling Approach (Airplane) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Assign an approach requiring a circle to another runway in marginal visual conditions with meaningful wind, terrain, or pattern constraints.
  • Require a complete circling brief, expectation of the airport environment, protected visual maneuver, MDA discipline, and a normal landing or missed-approach decision. (CFII.VIII.D.1, D.3)
  • Insert one chart, visibility, pattern, altitude, visual-reference, or landing-transition error and require diagnosis, intervention, correction, and reassessment. (CFII.VIII.D.2, D.4)
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to every PTS objective.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Circling Approach (Airplane) 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) Circling Approach (Airplane) Lesson Plan

Practical Test Standards

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Circling Approach (Airplane) Practical Test Standards

  • Source: FAA-S-8081-9E, Flight Instructor Instrument Practical Test Standards for Airplane and Helicopter.
  • Area VIII, Task D: Circling Approach (Airplane).
  • Area note: The evaluator shall select Tasks A and B, to be combined with Task C, D, or E. At least one nonprecision approach procedure shall be accomplished without the use of the gyroscopic heading and attitude indicators under simulated instrument conditions. Circling approaches are not applicable to helicopters.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-15; FAA-S-ACS-8; IAP; AIM.
  • Objective: To determine that the applicant:
Objective Elements 4 PTS Elements
  • CFII.VIII.D.1:
    Exhibits instructional knowledge of the elements of a circling approach by describing—
    • CFII.VIII.D.1a:
      selection of the appropriate circling approach maneuver considering the maneuvering capabilities of the aircraft.
    • CFII.VIII.D.1b:
      circling approach minimums on the selected instrument approach chart.
    • CFII.VIII.D.1c:
      compliance with advisories, clearance instructions, and/or restrictions.
    • CFII.VIII.D.1d:
      importance of flying a circling approach pattern that does not exceed the published visibility criteria.
    • CFII.VIII.D.1e:
      maintenance of an altitude no lower than the circling MDA until in a position from which a descent to a normal landing can be made.
  • CFII.VIII.D.2:
    Exhibits instructional knowledge of common errors related to a circling approach by describing—
    • CFII.VIII.D.2a:
      failure to have essential knowledge of the circling approach information on the instrument approach chart.
    • CFII.VIII.D.2b:
      failure to adhere to the published MDA and visibility criteria during the circling approach maneuver.
    • CFII.VIII.D.2c:
      inappropriate pilot technique during transition from the circling maneuver to the landing approach.
  • CFII.VIII.D.3:
    Demonstrates and simultaneously explains a circling approach from an instructional standpoint.
  • CFII.VIII.D.4:
    Analyzes and corrects simulated common errors related to a circling approach.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Circling Approach (Airplane) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in circling approach (airplane) 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.