Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan

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

The Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan covers the instructional objectives required by FAA-S-8081-9E.

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment 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 aircraft flight instruments and navigation equipment.
    • 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 aircraft:

Help Us Grow

Enjoy CFI Notebook? A one-time donation helps us create more high-quality lessons, quizzes, scenarios, graphics, and interactive tools.

One-Time Donation
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment 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) Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment 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 II, Task A, and the Practical Test Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits instructional knowledge of aircraft:
  • Part 2, PTS Objective Instruction:
    • Teach flight-instrument system operation, indications, limitations, common failures, failure recognition, and appropriate cross-checks, including: (CFII.II.A.1)
      • pitot-static system. (CFII.II.A.1a)
      • attitude indicator. (CFII.II.A.1b)
      • heading indicator/horizontal situation indicator/radio magnetic indicator. (CFII.II.A.1c)
      • magnetic compass. (CFII.II.A.1d)
      • turn-and-slip indicator/turn coordinator. (CFII.II.A.1e)
      • electrical system. (CFII.II.A.1f)
      • vacuum system. (CFII.II.A.1g)
      • electronic engine instrument display. (CFII.II.A.1h)
      • primary flight display, if installed. (CFII.II.A.1i)
    • Teach navigation-equipment principles, source selection, identification, displays, limitations, integrity indications, common errors, and failure response, including: (CFII.II.A.2)
      • VHF omnirange (VOR). (CFII.II.A.2a)
      • DME. (CFII.II.A.2b)
      • ILS (CFII.II.A.2c)
      • marker beacon receiver/indicators. (CFII.II.A.2d)
      • ADF. (CFII.II.A.2e)
      • transponder/altitude encoding. (CFII.II.A.2f)
      • electronic flight instrument display. (CFII.II.A.2g)
      • GPS. (CFII.II.A.2h)
      • automatic pilot. (CFII.II.A.2i)
      • FMS. (CFII.II.A.2j)
      • multifunction display, if installed. (CFII.II.A.2k)
    • Teach the purpose, operation, limitations, indications, and failure response for anti-ice, deicing, and weather-detection equipment, including: (CFII.II.A.3)
      • airframe. (CFII.II.A.3a)
      • propeller or rotor. (CFII.II.A.3b)
      • air intake. (CFII.II.A.3c)
      • fuel system. (CFII.II.A.3d)
      • pitot-static system. (CFII.II.A.3e)
      • radar/lightning detection system. (CFII.II.A.3f)
      • other inflight weather systems. (CFII.II.A.3g)
  • Part 3, Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Require the applicant to connect each instrument or navigation indication to its power source, sensors, processing, displays, and failure modes rather than teaching components as isolated facts.
    • Use normal, degraded, and failed indications to assess whether the applicant can teach cross-checking, source verification, reversionary operation, and partial-panel priorities.
    • Demonstrate aircraft-specific anti-ice, deicing, and weather-detection equipment using approved limitations and procedures; distinguish hazard detection from hazard avoidance.
    • Correct overreliance on automation, unverified navigation sources, datalink-weather misuse, and attempts to troubleshoot at the expense of aircraft control.
  • Part 4, Guided Scenario:
    • Present an IFR flight with a navigation-source mismatch, a developing instrument-system failure, and weather requiring use of installed detection or ice-protection equipment.
    • Require the applicant to teach system operation, guide failure recognition and cross-check, select usable equipment, and establish an escape or diversion plan.
    • Evaluate coverage of every applicable subelement in CFII.II.A.1–A.3g, aircraft control priorities, checklist use, and learner-centered error correction.
  • 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) Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • During an IFR instructional flight, introduce conflicting flight indications, an incorrect navigation source, and a weather threat that challenges installed equipment limitations.
  • Have the instructor applicant teach the learner to trace systems, verify sources, recognize failures, maintain control, use appropriate reversionary modes, and decide whether to continue or divert.
  • Use short follow-on variations to assess all equipment listed in CFII.II.A.1–A.3g without encouraging troubleshooting beyond the approved procedure.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment 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) Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan

Practical Test Standards

Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment Practical Test Standards

  • Source: FAA-S-8081-9E, Flight Instructor Instrument Practical Test Standards for Airplane and Helicopter.
  • Area II, Task A: Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment.
  • Area note: The evaluator shall select Tasks A and D and at least one other Task.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-15; FAA-S-ACS-8, FAA-S-ACS-14.
  • Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits instructional knowledge of aircraft:
Objective Elements 3 PTS Elements
  • CFII.II.A.1:
    Flight instrument systems and their operating characteristics to include—
    • CFII.II.A.1a:
      pitot-static system.
    • CFII.II.A.1b:
      attitude indicator.
    • CFII.II.A.1c:
      heading indicator/horizontal situation indicator/radio magnetic indicator.
    • CFII.II.A.1d:
      magnetic compass.
    • CFII.II.A.1e:
      turn-and-slip indicator/turn coordinator.
    • CFII.II.A.1f:
      electrical system.
    • CFII.II.A.1g:
      vacuum system.
    • CFII.II.A.1h:
      electronic engine instrument display.
    • CFII.II.A.1i:
      primary flight display, if installed.
  • CFII.II.A.2:
    Navigation equipment and their operating characteristics to include—
    • CFII.II.A.2a:
      VHF omnirange (VOR).
    • CFII.II.A.2b:
      DME.
    • CFII.II.A.2c:
      ILS
    • CFII.II.A.2d:
      marker beacon receiver/indicators.
    • CFII.II.A.2e:
      ADF.
    • CFII.II.A.2f:
      transponder/altitude encoding.
    • CFII.II.A.2g:
      electronic flight instrument display.
    • CFII.II.A.2h:
      GPS.
    • CFII.II.A.2i:
      automatic pilot.
    • CFII.II.A.2j:
      FMS.
    • CFII.II.A.2k:
      multifunction display, if installed.
  • CFII.II.A.3:
    Anti-ice/deicing and weather detection equipment and their operating characteristics to include—
    • CFII.II.A.3a:
      airframe.
    • CFII.II.A.3b:
      propeller or rotor.
    • CFII.II.A.3c:
      air intake.
    • CFII.II.A.3d:
      fuel system.
    • CFII.II.A.3e:
      pitot-static system.
    • CFII.II.A.3f:
      radar/lightning detection system.
    • CFII.II.A.3g:
      other inflight weather systems.
Flight Instructor Instrument (Airplane) Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in aircraft flight instruments and navigation equipment 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.