Instrument Rating Instrument Flight Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating • ACS Area IV, Task A

The Instrument Rating Instrument Flight Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with performing basic flight maneuvers solely by reference to instruments.

Instrument Rating Instrument Flight Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Attitude Instrument Flying Fundamentals:
    0:10
    Part 3, Basic Instrument Maneuvers:
    0:20
    Part 4, Instrument Indications and Risk Management:
    0:15
    Part 5, Practical Application and Assessment:
    0:20
    Part 6, Instrument Flight Guided Scenario(s):
    0:20
    Part 7, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Research and present a mishap case study:
      • Loss of control following spatial disorientation or an ineffective instrument cross-check in instrument meteorological conditions.
    • Discuss how a disciplined instrument cross-check and prompt correction could have changed the outcome.
    • Relate similar personal experiences.
    • Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario.

  • Motivator:

    • Precise attitude instrument flying is the foundation for every instrument procedure; a reliable cross-check allows the pilot to recognize trends, control the airplane, and manage deviations before they become unsafe.

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
Instrument Rating Instrument Flight Lesson Plan

Materials

Instrument Rating Instrument Flight Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    • Review the lesson plan, including the attention getter and motivator.
    • Review the airman certification standards.
    • Use the Instrument Rating v2 required teaching coverage throughout the applicable lesson parts.
    • Explain that precise aircraft control by reference to instruments supports every subsequent instrument procedure.
    • Set expectations for a systematic cross-check, accurate instrument interpretation, smooth control inputs, and prompt correction of deviations.
  • Part 2, Attitude Instrument Flying Fundamentals:
    • Explain elements of attitude instrument flying during straight-and-level flight, climbs, turns, and descents while conducting instrument procedures. (IR.IV.A.K1)
    • Teach the interpretation, operation, and limitations of pitch, bank, and power instruments. (IR.IV.A.K2)
    • Compare control-and-performance and primary-and-supporting instrument concepts, as appropriate to the aircraft and installed displays.
    • Demonstrate how pitch, bank, power, and trim changes appear across the instrument panel and how trends develop before a deviation is fully established.
  • Part 3, Basic Instrument Maneuvers:
    • Demonstrate and practice straight-and-level flight, climbs, descents, level-offs, and turns solely by reference to instruments. (IR.IV.A.K1)
    • Require smooth, coordinated control inputs; appropriate power and trim changes; and timely instrument cross-check throughout each maneuver.
    • Emphasize configuration changes, instrument lag, lead points, and anticipation when entering, maintaining, and recovering from each maneuver.
  • Part 4, Instrument Indications and Risk Management:
    • Teach normal and abnormal instrument indications and operations, including recognition, confirmation with supporting indications, and appropriate response. (IR.IV.A.K3)
    • Discuss situations that can affect physiology and degrade instrument cross-check, including fatigue, workload, fixation, distraction, and task saturation. (IR.IV.A.R1)
    • Discuss spatial disorientation and optical illusions, recognition cues, prevention, and recovery by reference to reliable flight instruments. (IR.IV.A.R2)
    • Discuss preparation and conservative operating practices when flying an unfamiliar aircraft or using unfamiliar flight displays and avionics. (IR.IV.A.R3)
  • Part 5, Practical Application and Assessment:
    • Assess the learner's ability to maintain altitude ±100 feet during level flight, selected headings ±10°, airspeed ±10 knots, and bank angles ±5° during turns. (IR.IV.A.S1)
    • Assess proper instrument cross-check and interpretation and the application of appropriate pitch, bank, power, and trim corrections. (IR.IV.A.S2)
    • Introduce realistic distractions or changing conditions and require the learner to detect, prioritize, verbalize, and correct deviations without losing aircraft control.
  • Part 6, Instrument Flight Guided Scenario(s):
    • Lead the guided scenario.
    • Present a realistic instrument-flight situation requiring the learner to establish and maintain assigned attitudes, headings, altitudes, airspeeds, climbs, descents, and turns.
    • Introduce an abnormal indication, distraction, or degraded cross-check and require the learner to identify the problem, maintain control, and select an appropriate response.
    • Challenge the learner to identify physiological, spatial-disorientation, unfamiliar-equipment, and workload risks while maintaining a disciplined instrument scan.
  • Part 7, Lesson Conclusion:
    • 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.
    • Debrief the learner's instrument cross-check, interpretation, aircraft control, correction of deviations, and management of physiological and equipment-related risks.
  • Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Instrument Rating Instrument Flight Lesson Plan

Interactive Guided Scenario

Interactive Guided Scenario

Loading scenario details...

Loading...
Decision 1
0%

Scenario Complete

Instrument Rating Instrument Flight Lesson Plan

Student Actions

  • Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
  • Review the assigned Instrument Flying Handbook material.
  • Review the aircraft's flight instruments, avionics, operating limitations, and failure indications.
  • Chair-fly the instrument cross-check and pitch, bank, power, and trim sequence.
  • Ask pertinent questions.
  • Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
  • Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
  • Identify unfamiliar equipment or display features requiring additional review before flight.
Instrument Rating Instrument Flight Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Instrument Rating Instrument Flight Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
  • IR.IV.A.K2:
    Interpretation, operation, and limitations of pitch, bank, and power instruments.
  • IR.IV.A.K3:
    Normal and abnormal instrument indications and operations.
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
Skills 2 ACS Elements
  • IR.IV.A.S1:
    Maintain altitude ±100 feet during level flight, selected headings ±10°, airspeed ±10 knots, and bank angles ±5° during turns.
  • IR.IV.A.S2:
    Use proper instrument cross-check and interpretation, and apply the appropriate pitch, bank, power, and trim corrections when applicable.
Instrument Rating Instrument Flight Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • A disciplined cross-check converts instrument indications into accurate aircraft control.
    • Early trend recognition and small, timely corrections prevent deviations from compounding.
    • Reliable instrument interpretation is essential when outside visual references are unavailable or misleading.
    • Continued practice with basic instrument flight prepares pilots for more complex procedures, abnormal indications, and real-world IFR decision-making.

  • Closure:

    • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson.