Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Instrument Flight Deck Check Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Instrument Flight Deck Check 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 instrument flight deck check.
    • 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 an instrument flight deck check by describing the reasons for the check and the detection of defects that could affect safe instrument flight. The check shall include:

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Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Instrument Flight Deck Check 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) Instrument Flight Deck Check 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 C, and the Practical Test Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits instructional knowledge of an instrument flight deck check by describing the reasons for the check and the detection of defects that could affect safe instrument flight. The check shall include:
  • Part 2, PTS Objective Instruction:
    • Check communication equipment for proper configuration, operation, audio selection, and failure indications. (CFII.III.C.1)
    • Check navigation equipment for correct source selection, identification, display, database status, and operational indications. (CFII.III.C.2)
    • Compare the magnetic compass with known headings and identify errors or conditions that make it unreliable. (CFII.III.C.3)
    • Verify the heading indicator, HSI, or RMI is aligned, stable, correctly sourced, and responding normally. (CFII.III.C.4)
    • Verify attitude-indicator power, erection, alignment, flags, and response, including the standby attitude source when installed. (CFII.III.C.5)
    • Set and compare altimeters, check allowable error, and identify abnormal indications. (CFII.III.C.6)
    • Check the turn-and-slip indicator or turn coordinator for power, freedom of movement, and correct indications. (CFII.III.C.7)
    • Confirm the vertical-speed indicator indicates appropriately and explain how to recognize a preexisting offset or failure. (CFII.III.C.8)
    • Check the airspeed indicator, pitot-static condition, and expected indications before and during initial movement. (CFII.III.C.9)
    • Verify outside-air-temperature information is available, plausible, and usable for applicable performance and icing decisions. (CFII.III.C.10)
    • Confirm an installed clock displays hours, minutes, and seconds and is suitable for required instrument procedures. (CFII.III.C.11)
    • Check pitot heat operation using the approved procedure and explain the response to an inoperative system. (CFII.III.C.12)
    • Verify electronic flight displays complete self-tests, show valid data and sources, and present no unresolved flags, messages, or reversionary-mode concerns. (CFII.III.C.13)
    • Check traffic-awareness, warning, or avoidance equipment for status, limitations, display configuration, and appropriate response to advisories. (CFII.III.C.14)
    • Check terrain-awareness, warning, or alert equipment for status, database validity, display configuration, inhibit functions, and response to alerts. (CFII.III.C.15)
    • Verify the FMS database, sensors, flight-plan entries, active leg, sequencing, and displayed navigation source before relying on it. (CFII.III.C.16)
    • Conduct the approved autopilot preflight test and explain modes, annunciations, disconnect methods, limitations, and the response to abnormal operation. (CFII.III.C.17)
  • Part 3, Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Model a checklist-driven flight-deck check that proceeds from power-up and self-test through communication/navigation equipment, primary and standby instruments, integrated displays, alerting systems, FMS (Flight Management System), and autopilot.
    • Require the instructor applicant to cross-check independent sources rather than accepting a single plausible display.
    • Insert a hidden misconfiguration, stale database, abnormal flag, failed self-test, or disagreement between instruments and require the applicant to help the learner detect, diagnose, and appropriately disposition it.
    • Emphasize aircraft-specific procedures, operational limitations, discrepancy reporting, and the decision not to depart when required IFR equipment is inoperative or unreliable.
  • Part 4, Guided Scenario:
    • Present an airplane prepared for an IFR departure with one configuration error and one equipment discrepancy embedded in the flight deck.
    • Require the instructor applicant to guide the learner through a complete check covering every item in CFII.III.C.1–C.17, without revealing the defects.
    • Have the applicant explain the significance of each finding, determine whether corrective action or maintenance is required, and make a defensible dispatch decision.
    • Evaluate checklist discipline, learner observation, questioning, error correction, risk management, and instructor 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) Instrument Flight Deck Check Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Prepare a simulated IFR flight deck with realistic settings, current route data, and concealed defects such as an incorrect navigation source, instrument disagreement, unresolved system message, or failed autopilot test.
  • Have the instructor applicant teach a systematic preflight check that includes every item in CFII.III.C.1–C.17.
  • Require the learner to identify each discrepancy, explain its operational consequence, consult aircraft guidance, and decide whether the flight may legally and safely depart.
  • Conclude with a discrepancy report, learner-centered assessment, and instructor self-critique.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Instrument Flight Deck Check 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) Instrument Flight Deck Check Lesson Plan

Practical Test Standards

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Instrument Flight Deck Check Practical Test Standards

  • Source: FAA-S-8081-9E, Flight Instructor Instrument Practical Test Standards for Airplane and Helicopter.
  • Area III, Task C: Instrument Flight Deck Check.
  • 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.
  • Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits instructional knowledge of an instrument flight deck check by describing the reasons for the check and the detection of defects that could affect safe instrument flight. The check shall include:
Objective Elements 17 PTS Elements
  • CFII.III.C.1:
    Communications equipment.
  • CFII.III.C.2:
    Navigation equipment.
  • CFII.III.C.3:
    Magnetic compass.
  • CFII.III.C.4:
    Heading indicator/horizontal situation indicator/remote magnetic indicator.
  • CFII.III.C.5:
    Attitude indicator.
  • CFII.III.C.6:
    Altimeter.
  • CFII.III.C.7:
    Turn-and-slip indicator/turn coordinator.
  • CFII.III.C.8:
    Vertical-speed indicator.
  • CFII.III.C.9:
    Airspeed indicator.
  • CFII.III.C.10:
    Outside air temperature.
  • CFII.III.C.11:
    Clock.
  • CFII.III.C.12:
    Pitot heat.
  • CFII.III.C.13:
    Electronic flight instrument display.
  • CFII.III.C.14:
    Traffic awareness/warning/avoidance system.
  • CFII.III.C.15:
    Terrain awareness/warning/alert system.
  • CFII.III.C.16:
    FMS.
  • CFII.III.C.17:
    Automatic pilot.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Instrument Flight Deck Check Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in instrument flight deck check 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.