Instrument Rating Missed Approach Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating • ACS Area VI, Task C

The Instrument Rating Missed Approaches Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with performing a missed approach procedure solely by reference to instruments.

Instrument Rating Missed Approach Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Missed Approaches:
    0:30
    Part 3, Missed Approaches Risk Management:
    0:10
    Part 4, Missed Approach Practical Application and Assessment:
    0:20
    Part 5, Missed Approaches Guided Scenario(s):
    0:15
    Part 6, Conclude Lesson:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Research and present a mishap case study:
    • 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:

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 Missed Approach Lesson Plan

Materials

Instrument Rating Missed Approach Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Missed Approaches:
    • Explain and assess the essential knowledge and procedures associated with missed approach.
    • Teach the procedures and limitations associated with missed approaches from standard instrument approaches, including use of a flight management system (FMS) or autopilot, if equipped. (IR.VI.C.K1)
    • 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 learner is prepared either to recognize those references or promptly execute the missed approach.
  • Part 3, Missed Approaches Risk Management:
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply procedural deviations, configuration changes, climb performance, automation management, deteriorating weather, and the decision to hold, divert, or attempt another approach.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply the hazards of deviating from the prescribed procedure or ATC instructions. (IR.VI.C.R1)
    • Compare the operational risks of holding, diverting, or electing to fly the approach again. (IR.VI.C.R2)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply configuration priorities and common errors during the transition from approach to missed approach. (IR.VI.C.R3)
    • Identify conditions that may require a missed approach before the MAP or a go-around below DA, DH, or MDA. (IR.VI.C.R4)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply mode awareness, mode-selection errors, and appropriate management of automated navigation and autoflight systems. (IR.VI.C.R5)
  • Part 4, Missed Approach Practical Application and Assessment:
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to promptly initiate the missed approach procedure and report it to ATC. (IR.VI.C.S1)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to request ATC clearance to attempt another approach, proceed to the alternate airport, holding fix, or other clearance limit, as appropriate, or as directed by the evaluator. (IR.VI.C.S10)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to apply the appropriate power setting for the flight condition and establish a pitch attitude necessary to obtain the desired performance. (IR.VI.C.S2)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to configure the airplane in accordance with airplane manufacturer’s instructions, establish a positive rate of climb, and accelerate to the appropriate airspeed, ±10 knots. (IR.VI.C.S3)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to follow the recommended checklist items appropriate to the missed approach/go-around procedure. (IR.VI.C.S4)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to comply with the published or alternate missed approach procedure. (IR.VI.C.S5)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance, restriction, or climb gradient. (IR.VI.C.S6)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to maintain the recommended airspeed ±10 knots; heading, course, or bearing ±10°; and altitude(s) ±100 feet during the missed approach procedure. (IR.VI.C.S7)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to use an MFD and other graphical navigation displays, if installed, to monitor position and track to help navigate the missed approach. (IR.VI.C.S8)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate. (IR.VI.C.S9)
  • Part 5, Missed Approaches Guided Scenario(s):
    • Present a realistic missed-approach scenario requiring the learner to initiate promptly, configure the airplane, follow the published procedure, communicate with ATC, and select an appropriate subsequent clearance.
  • Part 6, Conclude Lesson:
    • Debrief the learner's initiation, configuration, procedure tracking, communications, aircraft control, and subsequent-course-of-action decision.
    • 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 instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Instrument Rating Missed Approach Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Present a realistic missed approach scenario and have the learner identify hazards, make appropriate decisions, and explain the proposed course of action.
  • Related scenarios:
    • None.
Instrument Rating Missed Approach Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Instrument Rating Missed Approach Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Instrument Rating Missed Approach Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with performing a missed approach procedure solely by reference to instruments.
  • References: 14 CFR parts 91, 97; AIM; 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); Terminal Procedures Publications.
Knowledge 1 ACS Element
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
  • IR.VI.C.R1:
    Deviations from prescribed procedures or ATC instructions.
  • IR.VI.C.R2:
    Holding, diverting, or electing to fly the approach again.
  • IR.VI.C.R3:
    Aircraft configuration during an approach and missed approach.
  • IR.VI.C.R4:
    Factors that might lead to executing a missed approach procedure before the MAP or to a go-around below DA, DH, or MDA, as applicable.
  • IR.VI.C.R5:
    Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
Skills 10 ACS Elements
  • IR.VI.C.S1:
    Promptly initiate the missed approach procedure and report it to ATC.
  • IR.VI.C.S2:
    Apply the appropriate power setting for the flight condition and establish a pitch attitude necessary to obtain the desired performance.
  • IR.VI.C.S3:
    Configure the airplane in accordance with airplane manufacturer's instructions, establish a positive rate of climb, and accelerate to the appropriate airspeed, ±10 knots.
  • IR.VI.C.S5:
    Comply with the published or alternate missed approach procedure.
  • IR.VI.C.S6:
    Advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance, restriction, or climb gradient.
  • IR.VI.C.S7:
    Maintain the recommended airspeed ±10 knots; heading, course, or bearing ±10° and altitude(s) ±100 feet during the missed approach procedure.
  • IR.VI.C.S8:
    Use an MFD and other graphical navigation displays, if installed, to monitor position and track to help navigate the missed approach.
  • IR.VI.C.S9:
    Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
  • IR.VI.C.S10:
    Request ATC clearance to attempt another approach, proceed to the alternate airport, holding fix, or other clearance limit, as appropriate, or as directed by the evaluator.
Instrument Rating Missed Approach Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Missed Approach 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 Missed Approach prepares instrument pilots for changing conditions and increasingly demanding landing scenarios in later training.

  • Closure:

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