Instrument Rating Approach With Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating (Airplane) • ACS Area VII, Task D

The Instrument Rating (Airplane) Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with holding procedures solely by reference to instruments.

Instrument Rating Approach With Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators:
    0:25
    Part 3, Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Guided Scenario(s):
    0:25
    Part 4, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Research and present a mishap case study:
      • Ask the learner to describe prior knowledge or experience related to approach with loss of primary flight instrument indicators.
    • Discuss how the initial conditions developed into an incident/accident/mishap
    • Relate similar personal experiences of the same type of incident/accident/mishap
    • Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario

  • Motivator:

    • Explain how proficiency in approach with loss of primary flight instrument indicators supports safe and effective flight operations.

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Instrument Rating Approach With Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Materials

Instrument Rating Approach With Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators:
    • Explain and assess the essential knowledge and procedures associated with approach with loss of primary flight instrument indicators.
    • Teach the learner to recognize inaccurate or inoperative primary flight instruments and promptly advise ATC or the evaluator. (IR.VII.D.K1)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain likely primary-instrument failure modes and the actions available to correct the failure or minimize its effects. (IR.VII.D.K2)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply selecting, cross-checking, and using reliable secondary flight displays after a primary display failure. (IR.VII.D.R1)
    • Emphasize maintaining positive aircraft control while diagnosing the failure and reestablishing a reliable instrument cross-check. (IR.VII.D.R2)
    • Manage distractions and task priorities to prevent loss of situational awareness or spatial disorientation during the failure and approach. (IR.VII.D.R3)
    • Before reaching minimums, have the learner brief the expected airport and runway environment—including runway alignment, approach-lighting cues, threshold location, and where the required visual references are likely to appear—so the transition to visual flight is anticipated rather than surprising.
  • Part 3, Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Guided Scenario(s):
    • Present a realistic approach with loss of primary flight instrument indicators scenario and have the learner identify hazards, make appropriate decisions, and explain the proposed course of action.
    • Have the learner advise ATC or the evaluator promptly whenever the instrument failure prevents compliance with a clearance. (IR.VII.D.S1)
    • Demonstrate and assess completion of a non-precision instrument approach without the primary flight instruments, applying the skill elements of Area of Operation VI, Task A. (IR.VII.D.S2)
    • Assess the learner's use of single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate, throughout the failure and approach. (IR.VII.D.S3)
  • Part 4, Lesson Conclusion:
    • Debrief failure recognition, selection and cross-check of reliable indications, communication with ATC (Air Traffic Control), workload management, aircraft control, and execution of the non-precision approach using the remaining instruments.
    • Reinforce the learner's planned transition to the expected airport and runway environment before reaching minimums.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply the possible differences between calculated performance and actual performance.
    • Tie lesson back to previous lessons to reinforce past experiences (law of readiness).
    • Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
    • Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
  • Update the instructor log and student progress. Select the student and sign off completed objectives. If the student does not have a connected account, record the update manually in the instructor log and student training record.
Instrument Rating Approach With Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Interactive Guided Scenario

Integrated guided scenario for Instrument Rating (Airplane) Approach With Loss Of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators.

Instrument Rating (Airplane) Approach With Loss Of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Guided Flight

Work through one integrated 60-decision guided scenario combining 4 linked lesson topics into a comprehensive training exercise.

60 Decisions4 TopicsIntegrated Guided ScenarioConsequence-BasedRetry and Debrief
Decision 1
0%

Scenario Complete

Instrument Rating Approach With Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Instrument Rating Approach With Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Instrument Rating (Airplane) Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with performing an approach solely by reference to instruments with the loss of primary flight control instruments.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-16, FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); POH/AFM; Terminal Procedures Publications.
Knowledge 2 ACS Elements
  • IR.VII.D.K1:
    Recognizing if primary flight instruments are inaccurate or inoperative, and advising ATC or the evaluator.
  • IR.VII.D.K2:
    Possible failure modes of primary instruments and how to correct or minimize the effect of the loss.
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
Skills 3 ACS Elements
  • IR.VII.D.S1:
    Advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance.
  • IR.VII.D.S2:
    Complete a non-precision instrument approach without the use of the primary flight instruments using the skill elements of the non-precision approach Task (see Area of Operation VI, Task A).
  • IR.VII.D.S3:
    Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Instrument Rating Approach With Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators requires disciplined planning, stabilized energy management, and precise control from the approach through touchdown and rollout.
    • Evaluating wind, runway conditions, obstacles, aircraft performance, and personal limitations helps pilots recognize when an approach remains safe and when a timely go-around is required.
    • Consistent airspeed control, runway alignment, traffic scanning, communication, and checklist discipline integrate aircraft handling with sound operational judgment.
    • Continued practice with Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators prepares instrument pilots for changing conditions and increasingly demanding landing scenarios in later training.

  • Closure:

    • Inform students that this lesson will serve as a starting point for the next lesson.
    • Advise the student to register for the WINGS program if they have not already done so.
    • Advise the student to complete BasicMed if they have not already done so.
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson.
    • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
    • To learn more about preparing for the practical test, visit the checkride page.