Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Weather Information Lesson Plan

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

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

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Weather Information 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 weather information.
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine that the applicant exhibits instructional knowledge related to IFR weather information.

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Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Weather Information 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) Weather Information 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 A, and the Practical Test Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits instructional knowledge related to IFR weather information.
  • Part 2, PTS Objective Instruction:
    • Teach the selection, currency, limitations, and appropriate use of authoritative aviation-weather sources. (CFII.III.A.1)
      • Interpret AWOS, ASOS, and ATIS reports and explain their observation times, limitations, and operational use. (CFII.III.A.1a)
      • Use National Weather Service, Flight Service, and other authoritative sources to obtain a complete briefing and update it as conditions change. (CFII.III.A.1b)
    • Teach the learner to synthesize weather reports, forecasts, advisories, and charts into an operational picture rather than interpreting each product in isolation. (CFII.III.A.2)
      • Interpret METARs, TAFs, and Graphical Forecasts for Aviation, including trends, amendments, and conditions not represented by a single observation or forecast. (CFII.III.A.2a)
      • Obtain and apply inflight weather advisories and updates while preserving aircraft control and workload margins. (CFII.III.A.2b)
      • Use surface analysis, weather depiction, and radar-summary information to identify systems, precipitation, movement, and route hazards, while explaining product age and limitations. (CFII.III.A.2c)
      • Use significant-weather prognostic information to anticipate hazardous conditions along the route and at alternates. (CFII.III.A.2d)
      • Apply winds and temperatures aloft information to altitude selection, groundspeed, fuel, turbulence, and icing decisions. (CFII.III.A.2e)
      • Interpret PIREPs in context and explain their value, age, location, aircraft dependence, and reporting limitations. (CFII.III.A.2f)
      • Use freezing-level information with moisture, temperature profiles, aircraft capability, and escape options to assess icing exposure. (CFII.III.A.2g)
      • Use severe-weather outlook information to recognize developing convective threats and establish conservative avoidance strategies. (CFII.III.A.2h)
      • Interpret SIGMETs and AIRMETs and relate the affected area, valid time, hazard, and aircraft capability to the planned flight. (CFII.III.A.2i)
  • Part 3, Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Model a weather briefing that begins with the flight mission and broad weather pattern, then narrows to departure, en route, alternate, destination, and inflight-update needs.
    • Require the instructor applicant to compare observation times, forecast periods, product limitations, and conflicting information before reaching a conclusion.
    • Have the applicant translate weather information into route, altitude, fuel, alternate, escape, delay, diversion, and cancellation decisions.
    • Correct common errors such as relying on one product, overlooking product age, treating advisory boundaries as precise hazard boundaries, or presenting decoded data without its operational meaning.
  • Part 4, Guided Scenario:
    • Provide an IFR route affected by lowering ceilings, changing winds, icing potential, turbulence, and nearby convection, using observations, forecasts, advisories, charts, and PIREPs (Pilot Weather Reports) of different ages.
    • Require the instructor applicant to help the learner reconcile conflicting or incomplete information, identify information still needed, and build a defensible weather picture.
    • Issue an inflight update that changes the destination or route risk and require a timely continue, divert, hold, return, or land decision.
    • Evaluate coverage of every applicable PTS element, the quality of learner questioning, and whether risk controls include realistic escape options.
  • 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) Weather Information Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Assign an IFR trip with marginal departure weather, a frontal system crossing the route, possible icing and turbulence, and convection near the destination.
  • Give the instructor applicant a realistic set of observations, forecasts, advisories, charts, and PIREPs that contains both aging and apparently conflicting information.
  • Require the applicant to teach the learner to obtain, interpret, compare, and operationally apply every source and product in CFII.III.A.1–A.2i.
  • Update the scenario after departure and require a risk-managed decision supported by current information, aircraft capability, alternates, and a practical escape plan.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Weather Information 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) Weather Information Lesson Plan

Practical Test Standards

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Weather Information Practical Test Standards

  • Source: FAA-S-8081-9E, Flight Instructor Instrument Practical Test Standards for Airplane and Helicopter.
  • Area III, Task A: Weather Information.
  • Area note: The evaluator shall select at least one Task.
  • Task note: If current weather reports, forecasts, or other pertinent information are unavailable, or if current weather is inappropriate for the practical test scenario, the evaluator shall simulate them in a manner that adequately measures the applicant’s competence.
  • References: FAA-S-ACS-8, FAA-S-ACS-14; FAA-S-8083-28; AIM.
  • Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits instructional knowledge related to IFR weather information.
Objective Elements 2 PTS Elements
  • CFII.III.A.1:
    Sources of weather—
    • CFII.III.A.1a:
      AWOS, ASOS, and ATIS reports.
    • CFII.III.A.1b:
      Sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes.
  • CFII.III.A.2:
    Weather reports and charts—
    • CFII.III.A.2a:
      METAR, TAF, and Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA).
    • CFII.III.A.2b:
      inflight weather advisories.
    • CFII.III.A.2c:
      surface analysis, weather depiction, and radar summary charts.
    • CFII.III.A.2d:
      significant weather prognostic charts.
    • CFII.III.A.2e:
      winds and temperatures aloft charts.
    • CFII.III.A.2f:
      PIREPS.
    • CFII.III.A.2g:
      freezing level charts.
    • CFII.III.A.2h:
      severe weather outlook charts.
    • CFII.III.A.2i:
      SIGMETs and AIRMETs.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Weather Information Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in weather information 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.