Instrument Rating Departure En Route & Arrival Operations Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating (Airplane) • ACS Area V, Task B

The Instrument Rating (Airplane) - Departure, En Route, and Arrival Operations Lesson Plans covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with IFR departure, en route, and arrival operations solely by reference to instruments.

Instrument Rating Departure En Route & Arrival Operations Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Departure, En Route, and Arrival Operations:
    0:10
    Part 3, Departure, En Route, and Arrival Practical Application and Assessment:
    0:15
    Part 4, Departure, En Route, and Arrival Operations Guided Scenario(s):
    0:20
    Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Discuss motivation to become an instrument rated pilot.
    • Relate similar personal experiences to the student to establish rapport.

  • Motivator:

    • Explain how proficiency in departure en route and arrival operations supports safe and effective flight operations.

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Instrument Rating Departure En Route & Arrival Operations Lesson Plan

Materials

Instrument Rating Departure En Route & Arrival Operations Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Departure, En Route, and Arrival Operations:
    • Explain and assess the elements of ATC routes, including departure procedures and associated climb gradients, standard terminal arrival routes and associated constraints, and en route transitions. (IR.V.B.K1)
    • Explain and assess pilot and controller responsibilities, communication procedures, and the ATC services available during departure, en route, and arrival operations. (IR.V.B.K2)
    • Provide a background on departure procedure development criteria.
    • Provide awareness of abbreviated IFR departure clearance procedures.
  • Part 3, Departure, En Route, and Arrival Practical Application and Assessment:
    • Identify, assess, and mitigate risks involving ATC communications and compliance with published procedures. (IR.V.B.R1)
    • Identify, assess, and mitigate the limitations of traffic-avoidance equipment, including the possibility of incomplete, delayed, or unavailable traffic information. (IR.V.B.R2)
    • Reinforce the pilot's responsibility to use see-and-avoid techniques whenever conditions permit, including while operating under IFR. (IR.V.B.R3)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate. (IR.V.B.S10)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to select, identify, and use the communication and navigation facilities appropriate to the proposed flight. (IR.V.B.S1)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to perform the appropriate checklist items for each phase of flight. (IR.V.B.S2)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to use the current and appropriate paper or electronic navigation publications. (IR.V.B.S3)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to establish two-way communication with the proper controlling agency, use proper phraseology, and comply promptly with ATC instructions and airspace restrictions. (IR.V.B.S4)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to intercept all courses, radials, and bearings appropriate to the procedure, route, or clearance in a timely manner. (IR.V.B.S5)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to comply with all applicable charted procedures and restrictions. (IR.V.B.S6)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to maintain airspeed ±10 knots, altitude ±100 feet, and selected headings ±10°, and apply proper correction to maintain a course allowing no more than ¾-scale deflection of the course deviation indicator (CDI). (IR.V.B.S7)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to update/interpret weather in flight. (IR.V.B.S8)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to use displays of digital weather and aeronautical information, as applicable to maintain situational awareness. (IR.V.B.S9)
  • Part 4, Departure, En Route, and Arrival Operations Guided Scenario(s):
  • 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.
  • 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 Departure En Route & Arrival Operations Lesson Plan

Interactive Guided Scenario

Integrated guided scenario for Instrument Rating (Airplane) Departure En Route And Arrival Operations.

Instrument Rating (Airplane) Departure En Route And Arrival Operations Guided Flight

Work through one integrated 75-decision guided scenario combining 5 linked lesson topics into a comprehensive training exercise.

75 Decisions5 TopicsIntegrated Guided ScenarioConsequence-BasedRetry and Debrief
Decision 1
0%

Scenario Complete

Instrument Rating Departure En Route & Arrival Operations Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Instrument Rating Departure En Route & Arrival Operations Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Instrument Rating (Airplane) Departure En-Route and Arrival Operations Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with IFR departure, en route, and arrival operations solely by reference to instruments.
  • References: 14 CFR parts 91, 97; AC 90-100, AC 90-105, AC 91-74; 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); POH/AFM.
Knowledge 2 ACS Elements
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
  • IR.V.B.R1:
    ATC communications and compliance with published procedures.
  • IR.V.B.R2:
    Limitations of traffic avoidance equipment.
  • IR.V.B.R3:
    Responsibility to use "see and avoid" techniques when possible.
Skills 10 ACS Elements
  • IR.V.B.S1:
    Select, identify (as necessary) and use the appropriate communication and navigation facilities associated with the proposed flight.
  • IR.V.B.S2:
    Perform the appropriate checklist items relative to the phase of flight.
  • IR.V.B.S3:
    Use the current and appropriate paper or electronic navigation publications.
  • IR.V.B.S4:
    Establish two-way communications with the proper controlling agency, use proper phraseology, and comply in a timely manner with all ATC instructions and airspace restrictions.
  • IR.V.B.S5:
    Intercept all courses, radials, and bearings appropriate to the procedure, route, or clearance in a timely manner.
  • IR.V.B.S6:
    Comply with all applicable charted procedures.
  • IR.V.B.S7:
    Maintain airspeed ±10 knots, altitude ±100 feet, and selected headings ±10°, and apply proper correction to maintain a course allowing no more than 3/4-scale deflection of the course deviation indicator (CDI).
  • IR.V.B.S8:
    Update/interpret weather in flight.
  • IR.V.B.S9:
    Use displays of digital weather and aeronautical information, as applicable to maintain situational awareness.
  • IR.V.B.S10:
    Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Instrument Rating Departure En Route & Arrival Operations Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Departure En Route and Arrival Operations develops the procedural discipline, instrument interpretation, and aircraft control required when outside visual references are limited or unavailable.
    • Cross-checking instruments, anticipating clearances, monitoring navigation performance, and recognizing deviations early preserve situational awareness and safe margins.
    • Accurate communication, checklist use, workload management, and timely missed-approach or alternate decisions connect technical proficiency with sound instrument-flight judgment.
    • Continued practice with Departure En Route and Arrival Operations prepares instrument pilots for more complex procedures, system failures, and real-world IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) decision-making.

  • 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 FAA provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
    • To learn more about preparing for the practical test, visit the checkride page.