Instrument Rating Intercepting & Tracking Navigational Systems & DME Arcs Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating • ACS Area V, Task A

The Instrument Rating Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Systems and DME Arcs Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with intercepting and tracking navigation aids and arcs solely by reference to instruments.

Instrument Rating Intercepting & Tracking Navigational Systems & DME Arcs Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Part 1, Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Intercepting and Tracking Foundations:
    0:10
    Part 3, Factors Impacting Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Facilities and DME Arcs:
    0:10
    Part 4, Intercepting and Tracking Procedure:
    0:10
    Part 5, Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Facilities and DME Arcs Risk Management:
    0:15
    Part 6, Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Facilities and DME Arcs Guided Scenario(s):
    0:15
    Part 7, Conclude Lesson:
    0:10
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

  • Motivator:

    • Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Facilities and DME Arcs procedures develop the ability to stay safely and efficiently arrive at an uncontrolled airport, or after arrival, utilize the traffic pattern
    • The traffic pattern is comprised of several components which standardized flow of aircraft, at a specific altitude within the terminal area
    • This standard flow allows for predictability in an otherwise extremely dangerous environment
    • The traffic pattern is the ultimate goal which began with the rectangular course with many hazards
Instrument Rating Intercepting & Tracking Navigational Systems & DME Arcs Lesson Plan

Materials

Instrument Rating Intercepting & Tracking Navigational Systems & DME Arcs Lesson Plan

Materials

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Introduce the Lesson:
    • Review the lesson plan, including the attention-getter and motivator.
    • Review the airman certification standards.
    • Explain that this lesson integrates previous maneuvers into a structured, real-world traffic pattern environment.
    • Set expectations for situational awareness, communication, aircraft control, and adherence to standardized procedures.
  • Part 2, Intercepting and Tracking Foundations:
    • Discuss homing and it's difference from tracking.
  • Part 3, Factors Impacting Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Facilities and DME Arcs Operations Performance:
    • Discuss crosswinds.
  • Part 4, Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Facilities and DME Arcs Risk Management:
  • Part 5, Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Facilities and DME Arcs Risk Management:
  • Part 6, Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Facilities and DME Arcs Guided Scenario(s):
  • Part 7, Conclude Lesson:
    • Relate lesson to normal approach and landing and overall pattern integration.
    • Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
    • Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
    • Debrief the student's understanding of knowledge, risk management, and skill elements associated with traffic pattern operations.
  • Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Instrument Rating Intercepting & Tracking Navigational Systems & DME Arcs Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

Instrument Rating Intercepting & Tracking Navigational Systems & DME Arcs Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Instrument Rating Intercepting & Tracking Navigational Systems & DME Arcs Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating Intercepting & Tracking Navigational Systems & DME Arcs Airman Certification Standards

Instrument Rating Intercepting & Tracking Navigational Systems & DME Arcs Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with intercepting and tracking navigation aids and arcs solely by reference to instruments.
  • Note: The evaluator should reference the manufacturer's equipment supplement(s) as necessary for appropriate limitations, procedures, etc.
  • Note: See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; 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
  • IR.V.A.K1:
    Ground-based navigation (orientation, course determination, equipment, tests, and regulations), including procedures for intercepting and tracking courses and arcs.
  • IR.IV.A.K2:
    Satellite-based navigation (orientation, course determination, equipment, tests, regulations, interference, appropriate use of databases, Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM), and Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)), including procedures for intercepting and tracking courses and arcs.
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
Skills 10 ACS Elements
  • IR.V.A.S1:
    Tune and identify the navigation facility/program the navigation system and verify system accuracy as appropriate for the equipment installed in the aircraft.
  • IR.V.A.S2:
    Determine aircraft position relative to the navigational facility or waypoint.
  • IR.V.A.S3:
    Set and orient to the course to be intercepted.
  • IR.V.A.S4:
    Intercept the specified course at appropriate angle, inbound to or outbound from a navigational facility or waypoint.
  • IR.V.A.S5:
    Maintain airspeed ±10 knots, altitude ±100 feet, and selected headings ±5°.
  • IR.V.A.S6:
    Apply proper correction to maintain a course, allowing no more than 3/4-scale deflection of the course deviation indicator (CDI). If a distance measuring equipment (DME) arc is selected, maintain that arc ±1 nautical mile.
  • IR.V.A.S7:
    Recognize navigational system or facility failure, and when required, report the failure to air traffic control (ATC).
  • IR.V.A.S8:
    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.V.A.S9:
    At the discretion of the evaluator, use the autopilot to make appropriate course intercepts, if installed.
  • IR.V.A.S10:
    Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Instrument Rating Intercepting & Tracking Navigational Systems & DME Arcs Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Systems and DME Arcs 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 Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Systems and DME Arcs prepares instrument pilots for more complex procedures, system failures, and real-world IFR decision-making.

  • Closure:

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