Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning 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 cross-country flight planning.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine that the applicant exhibits instructional knowledge of cross-country flight planning by describing the:

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Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning 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) Cross-Country Flight Planning 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 III, Task B, and the Practical Test Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits instructional knowledge of cross-country flight planning by describing the:
  • Part 2, PTS Objective Instruction:
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply the regulatory requirements for operating under IFR through each class of airspace along the proposed route. (CFII.III.B.1)
    • Have the learner compute leg times, estimated time en route, reserves, and total fuel required, then explain the assumptions and margins used. (CFII.III.B.2)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply selection, currency, and interpretation of applicable en route charts, RNAV information, departure procedures, STARs, and instrument approach procedures. (CFII.III.B.3)
    • Obtain and interpret applicable Notices to Airmen, and explain how each relevant notice changes the route, equipment, procedure, or airport plan. (CFII.III.B.4)
    • Guide the learner in completing an IFR flight plan that accurately reflects the aircraft, route, altitude, timing, fuel, and conditions of the proposed flight; filing with ATC is not required. (CFII.III.B.5)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain GPS availability, integrity monitoring, RAIM prediction when applicable, database currency, and the operational response to an unavailable or degraded capability. (CFII.III.B.6)
    • Teach recognition of frost, ice, or other wing contamination and require an airworthy-aircraft decision before departure. (CFII.III.B.7)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain the adverse effects of airframe icing and the corrective decisions required before takeoff and during climb, cruise, approach, and landing. (CFII.III.B.8)
    • Locate, interpret, and apply aircraft-specific icing limitations, procedures, and information published by the manufacturer. (CFII.III.B.9)
  • Part 3, Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Model a complete planning workflow from mission definition through route, altitude, weather, airspace, procedures, fuel, alternates, equipment capability, and filing.
    • Require the instructor applicant to expose the assumptions behind each calculation and decision rather than teaching the planning products as isolated entries.
    • Introduce changing weather, an unavailable navigation aid or procedure, an adverse Notice to Airmen, and an icing concern; assess whether the applicant helps the learner revise the plan or discontinue the flight.
    • Correct common errors involving chart currency, altitude selection, fuel reserves, GPS (Global Positioning System) availability, procedure eligibility, and failure to connect hazards with a practical mitigation.
  • Part 4, Guided Scenario:
    • Assign an IFR cross-country with forecast instrument conditions, an icing threat, and at least one operational constraint affecting the route or destination.
    • Require the instructor applicant to guide the learner through regulatory compliance, route and altitude selection, time and fuel calculations, chart and procedure selection, Notices to Airmen, GPS/RAIM (Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring) considerations, and completion of the IFR flight plan.
    • Change one material condition after the plan is complete and require a revised plan, alternate strategy, or defensible no-go decision.
    • Evaluate coverage of every applicable PTS objective, learner participation, risk-management coaching, and the applicant's self-critique.
  • 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) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Plan an IFR instructional flight between airports that requires controlled-airspace transitions, published procedures, and a realistic fuel and alternate decision.
  • Provide weather conducive to airframe icing, a route- or airport-specific Notice to Airmen, and an avionics limitation affecting the original plan.
  • Have the instructor applicant teach the learner to build, explain, and revise the plan while covering every element of CFII.III.B.1–B.9.
  • End with a go, delay, reroute, divert, or cancel decision supported by regulations, aircraft capability, current information, and stated risk controls.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning 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) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan

Practical Test Standards

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Practical Test Standards

  • Source: FAA-S-8081-9E, Flight Instructor Instrument Practical Test Standards for Airplane and Helicopter.
  • Area III, Task B: Cross-Country Flight Planning.
  • Area note: The evaluator shall select at least one Task.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; FAA-H-8083-15; FAA-S-ACS-8, FAA-S-ACS-14; AIM.
  • Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits instructional knowledge of cross-country flight planning by describing the:
Objective Elements 9 PTS Elements
  • CFII.III.B.1:
    Regulatory requirements for instrument flight within various types of airspace.
  • CFII.III.B.2:
    Computation of estimated time en route and total fuel requirement for an IFR cross-country flight.
  • CFII.III.B.3:
    Selection and correct interpretation of the current and applicable en route charts, RNAV, DPs, STARs, and standard IAP.
  • CFII.III.B.4:
    Procurement and interpretation of the applicable NOTAM information.
  • CFII.III.B.5:
    Completes and files an IFR flight plan that accurately reflects the conditions of the proposed flight. (Does not have to be filed with ATC.)
  • CFII.III.B.6:
    Demonstrates adequate knowledge of GPS and RAIM capability, when aircraft is so equipped.
  • CFII.III.B.7:
    Demonstrates the ability to recognize wing contamination due to airframe icing.
  • CFII.III.B.8:
    Demonstrates adequate knowledge of the adv erse effects of airframe icing during landing phases of flight and corrective actions: pretakeoff, takeoff, and cruise.
  • CFII.III.B.9:
    Demonstrates familiarity with any icing procedures and/or information published by the manufacturer that is specific to the aircraft used on the practical test.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in cross-country flight planning 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.