Instrument Rating Precision Approach Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating • ACS Area VI, Task B

The Instrument Rating Precision Approach Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with performing precision approach procedures solely by reference to instruments.

Instrument Rating Precision Approach Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Precision Approach Preparation, Planning, and Risk Management:
    0:25
    Part 3, Precision Approach Procedure and Assessment:
    0:30
    Part 4, Precision Approaches Guided Scenario(s):
    0:20
    Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    1:35

  • Attention Getter:

    • Research and present a mishap case study:
      • Loss of control or controlled flight into terrain following an unstable precision approach, navigation-mode error, or descent below DA/DH without required visual references.
    • Discuss the approach guidance, automation modes, minimums, weather, and operating environment involved in the event.
    • Relate similar personal experiences.
    • Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario.

  • Motivator:

    • Accurate lateral and vertical guidance tracking provides a stable path to DA/DH while preserving a clear transition to landing or an immediate missed approach.

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Instrument Rating Precision Approach Lesson Plan

Materials

Instrument Rating Precision Approach 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.
    • Explain that a stable precision approach depends on correct navigation setup, accurate lateral and vertical guidance tracking, and an immediate missed approach when required visual references are unavailable at DA/DH.
    • Set expectations for configuration, energy management, automation monitoring, and disciplined compliance with approach minimums.
  • Part 2, Precision Approach Preparation, Planning, and Risk Management:
    • Explain and assess the essential knowledge and procedures associated with precision approach.
    • Cover precision-approach procedures and limitations, including required descent-rate calculations and adjustments to minimums for inoperative equipment. (IR.VI.B.K1)
    • Explain navigation-system displays, annunciations, and modes of operation, emphasizing verification of the active and armed modes. (IR.VI.B.K2)
    • Compare applicable ground-based and satellite-based navigation systems, including orientation, course determination, required equipment, tests and regulations, interference, navigation-data use, and signal integrity. (IR.VI.B.K3)
    • Explain stabilized-approach and energy-management concepts and establish objective continuation and go-around criteria. (IR.VI.B.K4)
    • Discuss the hazards of deviating from the assigned approach procedure or selecting and identifying an incorrect navigation frequency. (IR.VI.B.R1) (IR.VI.B.R2)
    • Discuss mode awareness and active monitoring of automated navigation and autoflight systems. (IR.VI.B.R3)
    • Discuss configuration decisions during the approach and any transition to a missed approach. (IR.VI.B.R4)
    • Require correction or discontinuation of an unstable approach, including one involving an excessive descent rate. (IR.VI.B.R5)
    • Establish decision points for deteriorating weather and prohibit descent below DA/DH without the required visual references. (IR.VI.B.R6) (IR.VI.B.R7)
    • 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, Precision Approach Procedure and Assessment:
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to accomplish the precision instrument approach(es) selected by the evaluator. (IR.VI.B.S1)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to adjust the published DA/DH and visibility criteria for the aircraft approach category, as appropriate, to account for Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), inoperative aircraft or navigation equipment, or inoperative visual aids associated with the landing environment. (IR.VI.B.S10)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to establish a predetermined rate of descent at the point where vertical guidance begins, which approximates that required for the aircraft to follow the vertical guidance. (IR.VI.B.S11)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to maintain a stabilized final approach from the final approach fix (FAF) to DA/DH allowing no more than ¾-scale deflection of either the vertical or lateral guidance indications, and maintain the desired airspeed ±10 knots. (IR.VI.B.S12)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to immediately initiate the missed approach procedure when at the DA/DH, and the required visual references for the runway are not unmistakably visible and identifiable. (IR.VI.B.S13)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to transition to a normal landing approach (missed approach for seaplanes) only when the airplane is in a position from which a descent to a landing on the runway can be made at a normal rate of descent using normal maneuvering. (IR.VI.B.S14)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to maintain a stabilized visual flight path from the DA/DH to the runway aiming point where a normal landing may be accomplished within the touchdown zone. (IR.VI.B.S15)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to use a multi-function display (MFD) and other graphical navigation displays, if installed, to monitor position, track wind drift, and to maintain situational awareness. (IR.VI.B.S16)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate. (IR.VI.B.S17)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to establish two-way communications with air traffic control (ATC) appropriate for the phase of flight or approach segment, and use proper communication phraseology. (IR.VI.B.S2)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to select, tune, identify, and confirm the operational status of navigation equipment to be used for the approach. (IR.VI.B.S3)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to comply with all clearances issued by ATC or the evaluator. (IR.VI.B.S4)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to recognize if any flight instrumentation is inaccurate or inoperative, and take appropriate action. (IR.VI.B.S5)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance. (IR.VI.B.S6)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s). (IR.VI.B.S7)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to establish the appropriate aircraft configuration and airspeed considering meteorological and operating conditions. (IR.VI.B.S8)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to maintain altitude ±100 feet, selected heading ±10°, airspeed ±10 knots, no more than ¾ scale CDI deflection, and accurately track radials, courses, or bearings, prior to beginning the final approach segment. (IR.VI.B.S9)
  • Part 4, Precision Approaches Guided Scenario(s):
    • Lead the guided scenario.
    • Present a realistic precision approach scenario and have the learner identify hazards, make appropriate decisions, and explain the proposed course of action.
  • Part 5, 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 navigation setup, vertical and lateral guidance control, stabilization, minimums discipline, and missed-approach decision-making.
  • Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Instrument Rating Precision Approach Lesson Plan

Interactive Guided Scenario

Interactive Guided Scenario

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Instrument Rating Precision Approach Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Instrument Rating Precision Approach Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Instrument Rating Precision Approach Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with performing precision approach procedures solely by reference to instruments.
  • See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; AC 90-105, AC 90-107; 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 4 ACS Elements
  • IR.VI.B.K1:
    Procedures and limitations associated with a precision approach, including determining required descent rates and adjusting minimums in the case of Inoperative equipment.
  • IR.VI.B.K2:
    Navigation system displays, annunciations, and modes of operation.
  • IR.VI.B.K3:
    Ground-based and satellite-based navigation systems (orientation, course determination, equipment, tests and regulations, interference, appropriate use of navigation data, signal integrity).
  • IR.VI.B.K4:
    A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
  • IR.VI.B.R1:
    Deviating from the assigned approach procedure.
  • IR.VI.B.R2:
    Selecting a navigation frequency.
  • IR.VI.B.R3:
    Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
  • IR.VI.B.R4:
    Aircraft configuration during an approach and missed approach.
  • IR.VI.B.R5:
    An unstable approach, including excessive descent rates.
  • IR.VI.B.R6:
    Deteriorating weather conditions on approach.
  • IR.VI.B.R7:
    Continuing to descend below the Decision Altitude (DA)/Decision Height (DH) when the required visual references are not visible.
Skills 17 ACS Elements
  • IR.VI.B.S1:
    Accomplish the precision instrument approach(es) selected by the evaluator.
  • IR.VI.B.S2:
    Establish two-way communications with air traffic control (ATC) appropriate for the phase of flight or approach segment, and use proper communication phraseology.
  • IR.VI.B.S3:
    Select, tune, identify, and confirm the operational status of navigation equipment to be used for the approach.
  • IR.VI.B.S4:
    Comply with all clearances issued by ATC or the evaluator.
  • IR.VI.B.S5:
    Recognize if any flight instrumentation is inaccurate or inoperative, and take appropriate action.
  • IR.VI.B.S6:
    Advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance.
  • IR.VI.B.S7:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • IR.VI.B.S8:
    Establish the appropriate aircraft configuration and airspeed considering meteorological and operating conditions.
  • IR.VI.B.S9:
    Maintain altitude ±100 feet, selected heading ±10°, airspeed ±10 knots, no more than 3/4 scale CDI deflection, and accurately track radials, courses, or bearings, prior to beginning the final approach segment.
  • IR.VI.B.S10:
    Adjust the published DA/DH and visibility criteria for the aircraft approach category, as appropriate, to account for NOTAMS, inoperative aircraft or navigation equipment, or inoperative visual aids associated with the landing environment.
  • IR.VI.B.S11:
    Establish a predetermined rate of descent at the point where vertical guidance begins, which approximates that required for the aircraft to follow the vertical guidance.
  • IR.VI.B.S12:
    Maintain a stabilized final approach from the Final Approach Fix (FAF) to DA/DH allowing no more than 3/4-scale deflection of either the vertical or lateral guidance indications and maintain the desired airspeed ±10 knots.
  • IR.VI.B.S13:
    Immediately initiate the missed approach procedure when at the DA/DH, and the required visual references for the runway are not unmistakably visible and identifiable.
  • IR.VI.B.S14:
    Transition to a normal landing approach (missed approach for seaplanes) only when the airplane is in a position from which a descent to a landing on the runway can be made at a normal rate of descent using normal maneuvering.
  • IR.VI.B.S15:
    Maintain a stabilized visual flight path from the DA/DH to the runway aiming point where a normal landing may be accomplished within the touchdown zone.
  • IR.VI.B.S16:
    Use a multi-function display (MFD) and other graphical navigation displays, if installed, to monitor position, track wind drift, and to maintain situational awareness.
  • IR.VI.B.S17:
    Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Instrument Rating Precision Approach Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Precision 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 Precision 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.