Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Precision Instrument Approach (PA) Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Precision Instrument Approach (PA) 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 precision instrument approach (pa).
    • 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) Precision Instrument Approach (PA) 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) Precision Instrument Approach (PA) 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 B, and the Practical Test Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine that the applicant:
  • Part 2, PTS Objective Instruction:
    • Teach the preparation, setup, execution, and completion of a precision instrument approach. (CFII.VIII.B.1)
      • selection of the appropriate instrument approach chart. (CFII.VIII.B.1a)
      • pertinent information on the selected instrument approach chart. (CFII.VIII.B.1b)
      • selection, tuning, identification, and determination of operational status of ground and aircraft navigation equipment. (CFII.VIII.B.1c)
      • radio communications with ATC and compliance with ATC clearances, instructions, and procedures. (CFII.VIII.B.1d)
      • appropriate aircraft configuration, airspeed, and checklist items. (CFII.VIII.B.1e)
      • adjustments applied to the published DH/DA and visibility criteria for the aircraft approach category. (CFII.VIII.B.1f)
      • maintenance of altitude, airspeed, and track, where applicable. (CFII.VIII.B.1g)
      • establishment and maintenance of an appropriate rate of descent during the final approach segment. (CFII.VIII.B.1h)
      • factors that should be considered in determining whether: (1) the approach should be continued straight-in to a landing; (2) a circling approach to a landing should be made; or (3) a missed approach should be performed. (CFII.VIII.B.1i)
    • Teach the recognition, consequences, and correction of common precision-approach errors. (CFII.VIII.B.2)
      • failure to have essential knowledge of the information on the instrument approach procedure chart. (CFII.VIII.B.2a)
      • incorrect communications procedures or noncompliance with ATC clearances. (CFII.VIII.B.2b)
      • failure to accomplish checklist items. (CFII.VIII.B.2c)
      • faulty basic instrument flying technique. (CFII.VIII.B.2d)
      • inappropriate application of DH/DA. (CFII.VIII.B.2e)
    • Demonstrate and simultaneously explain a precision instrument approach. (CFII.VIII.B.3)
    • Analyze and correct simulated learner errors during a precision instrument approach. (CFII.VIII.B.4)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply appropriate use of an installed MFD or graphical navigation display to monitor position, track, and flightpath without substituting it for primary course and glidepath guidance or aircraft control. (CFII.VIII.B.5)
  • Part 3, Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Require the applicant to select and brief the correct chart, frequencies, courses, fixes, DA or DH, visibility, missed approach, aircraft category, equipment status, and expected airport environment before breakout.
    • Have the applicant demonstrate communications, navigation setup and identification, configuration, airspeed and checklist discipline, localizer and glidepath interception, stabilized corrections, and the decision at DA or DH.
    • Require prompt missed-approach initiation when required visual references are unavailable, the approach is unstable, or safe landing conditions are not met.
    • Introduce a chart, clearance, checklist, navigation-mode, course, glidepath, or DA/DH error and assess timely intervention and correction. (CFII.VIII.B.2, B.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) Precision Instrument Approach (PA) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Assign a precision approach in weather near minimums with a realistic clearance, wind, equipment status, and installed graphical display.
  • Require complete planning, briefing, setup, communications, stabilized execution, expectation of the airport environment, and a landing or missed-approach decision at DA or DH. (CFII.VIII.B.1, B.3, B.5)
  • Insert one chart, clearance, navigation, checklist, flightpath, or minimums error and require diagnosis, intervention, correction, and reassessment. (CFII.VIII.B.2, B.4)
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to every PTS objective.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Precision Instrument Approach (PA) 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) Precision Instrument Approach (PA) Lesson Plan

Practical Test Standards

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Precision Instrument Approach (PA) Practical Test Standards

  • Source: FAA-S-8081-9E, Flight Instructor Instrument Practical Test Standards for Airplane and Helicopter.
  • Area VIII, Task B: Precision Instrument Approach (PA).
  • 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, FAA-S-ACS-14; IAP; AIM.
  • Objective: To determine that the applicant:
Objective Elements 5 PTS Elements
  • CFII.VIII.B.1:
    Exhibits instructional knowledge of a precision instrument approach by describing—
    • CFII.VIII.B.1a:
      selection of the appropriate instrument approach chart.
    • CFII.VIII.B.1b:
      pertinent information on the selected instrument approach chart.
    • CFII.VIII.B.1c:
      selection, tuning, identification, and determination of operational status of ground and aircraft navigation equipment.
    • CFII.VIII.B.1d:
      radio communications with ATC and compliance with A TC clearances, instructions, and procedures.
    • CFII.VIII.B.1e:
      appropriate aircraft configuration, airspeed, and checklist items.
    • CFII.VIII.B.1f:
      adjustments applied to the published DH/DA and visibility criteria for the aircraft approach category.
    • CFII.VIII.B.1g:
      maintenance of altitude, airspeed, and track, where applicable.
    • CFII.VIII.B.1h:
      establishment and maintenance of an appropriate rate of descent during the final approach segment.
    • CFII.VIII.B.1i:
      factors that should be considered in determining whether: (1) the approach should be continued straight-in to a landing; (2) a circling approach to a landing should be made; or (3) a missed approach should be performed.
  • CFII.VIII.B.2:
    Exhibits instructional knowledge of common errors related to a precision instrument approach by describing—
    • CFII.VIII.B.2a:
      failure to have essential knowledge of the information on the instrument approach procedure chart.
    • CFII.VIII.B.2b:
      incorrect communications procedures or noncompliance with ATC clearances.
    • CFII.VIII.B.2c:
      failure to accomplish checklist items.
    • CFII.VIII.B.2d:
      faulty basic instrument flying technique.
    • CFII.VIII.B.2e:
      inappropriate application of DH/DA.
  • CFII.VIII.B.3:
    Demonstrates and simultaneously explains a precision instrument approach from an instructional standpoint.
  • CFII.VIII.B.4:
    Analyzes and corrects simulated common errors related to a precision instrument approach.
  • CFII.VIII.B.5:
    Exhibits instructional knowledge on the uses of the MFD and other parameters to maintain desired flightpath.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Precision Instrument Approach (PA) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in precision instrument approach (pa) 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.