Instrument Rating Aircraft Flight Instruments & Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan

Introduction

Schedule

Topic:

Time:

Attention/Motivator:

0:05

Part 1, Lesson Introduction:

0:05

Part 2, Pitot-Static Instrument System:

0:35

Part 3, Gyroscopic, Electronic, and Magnetic Instruments:

0:45

Part 4, Navigation Equipment:

0:40

Part 5, Electronic Flight Bags and Instrument Integration:

0:25

Part 6, Risk Management:

0:20

Part 7, Application:

0:30

Part 8, Guided Scenario(s):

0:20

Part 9, Lesson Conclusion:

0:05

Remotivation/Closure:

0:05

Total Ground Time:

0:00
Attention Getter:
- Research and present a mishap case study:
  - Ask the learner to describe prior knowledge or experience related to aircraft flight instruments and navigation equipment.
- 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:
- Explain how proficiency in aircraft flight instruments and navigation equipment supports safe and effective flight operations.

Materials

Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Aircraft-specific Pilot's Operating Handbook or Airplane Flight Manual and applicable supplements.
- Current navigation databases and the flight instruments, navigation equipment, training device, or approved simulator used for the lesson.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
Optional Materials:
- Electronic flight bag and a suitable backup power source, if used.
- View-limiting device, as appropriate.
- Instructor endorsement log.
Reference Materials:

Instrument Rating Aircraft Flight Instruments & Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

Before the lesson, review reference materials.
Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention and motivator.
- Review the Airman Certification Standards.
- Explain that accurate interpretation and cross-check of flight and navigation instruments are fundamental to safe IFR operations.
- Set expectations for understanding normal operation, limitations, operating modes, and failure indications.
Part 2, Pitot-Static Instrument System:
- Teach and assess the operating characteristics, limitations, errors, abnormal indications, and failure modes of the aircraft's flight instruments and their associated systems. (IR.II.B.K1)
- Explain the pitot-static instrument system and its associated instruments. (IR.II.B.K1a)
- Review the airspeed indicator, altimeter, and vertical speed indicator:
  - Airspeed indicator:
    - Review airspeed indicator function.
    - Review airspeed indicator readings.
    - Review airspeed indicator malfunctions and anomalies.
  - Altimeter:
    - Review altimeter function.
    - Review altimeter readings.
    - Review altimeter malfunctions and anomalies.
  - Vertical speed indicator:
    - Review vertical speed indicator function.
    - Review vertical speed indicator readings.
    - Review vertical speed indicator malfunctions and anomalies.
- Explain how pressure changes affect indications during climbs, descents, and level flight.
- Present pitot-tube and static-port blockage scenarios; have the learner identify the affected indications and appropriate corrective action.
Part 3, Gyroscopic, Electronic, and Magnetic Instruments:
- Explain gyroscopic, electrical, and vacuum instrument systems, including the attitude indicator, heading indicator, and turn coordinator. (IR.II.B.K1b)
- Review the attitude and heading indicators:
  - Review attitude indicator function, indications, limitations, malfunctions, and anomalies.
  - Review heading indicator function, indications, limitations, malfunctions, and anomalies.
- Explain electrical systems and electronic flight instrument displays, including the PFD, MFD, transponder, and ADS-B. (IR.II.B.K1c)
- Review magnetic-compass operation, errors, and limitations. (IR.II.B.K1d)
- Use vacuum, electrical, display, and gyro-failure scenarios to require recognition of unreliable indications and an orderly transition to available backup instruments.
Part 4, Navigation Equipment:
- Teach and assess the operating characteristics, limitations, indications, required checks, database considerations, and failure modes of the aircraft's navigation equipment and installed automation. (IR.II.B.K2)
- Explain the operation, indications, limitations, and required checks for VHF navigation equipment, including VOR, DME, ILS, and marker beacon receivers and indicators. (IR.II.B.K2a)
- Explain the operation and management of RNAV, GPS, WAAS, FMS, and autopilot systems installed in the aircraft. (IR.II.B.K2b)
- Demonstrate proper setup, mode awareness, source selection, CDI interpretation, integrity checks, and cross-checking against independent information.
Part 5, Electronic Flight Bags and Instrument Integration:
- Explain the appropriate use, limitations, power planning, data currency, mounting, and failure planning for an electronic flight bag, if used. (IR.II.B.K3)
- Demonstrate a disciplined instrument cross-check and require the learner to integrate flight, navigation, and automation indications without fixating on a single source.
Part 6, Risk Management:
- Teach active monitoring and management of automated systems, including mode awareness and timely intervention. (IR.II.B.R1)
- Distinguish approved navigation equipment and data from non-approved devices or advisory-only information. (IR.II.B.R2)
- Evaluate flight and navigation instrument modes, misleading indications, and failure conditions. (IR.II.B.R3)
- Manage EFB risks, including distraction, overheating, loss of power, mounting, and loss of connectivity or data. (IR.II.B.R4)
- Verify navigation-database currency and applicability and explain the operational consequences of stale or incorrect data. (IR.II.B.R5)
Part 7, Application:
- Require the learner to operate and manage the installed flight instruments and navigation equipment through normal and abnormal scenarios. (IR.II.B.S1)
- Require the learner to operate and manage an applicant-supplied EFB, if used. (IR.II.B.S2)
- Present pitot-static, electrical, vacuum, display, automation, navigation-source, and GPS-outage scenarios; require the learner to diagnose the condition, maintain control, select reliable information, and state an appropriate backup strategy.
Part 8, Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead a guided scenario.
Part 9, 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 instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.

Instrument Rating Aircraft Flight Instruments & Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

During an IFR departure, the attitude and heading indicators begin to disagree with the turn coordinator and magnetic compass. Which indications are reliable, what failure is most likely, and what immediate actions are appropriate?
While navigating with GPS, the system annunciates a loss of integrity. What equipment and information can the pilot use to maintain situational awareness and continue, amend, or discontinue the operation?
The primary flight display fails in instrument meteorological conditions:
- Which standby instruments remain available?
- How should the pilot reorganize the instrument cross-check and manage automation?
- What information or assistance should the pilot request from air traffic control?

Instrument Rating Aircraft Flight Instruments & Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
Review the aircraft's flight instrument, navigation equipment, automation, and EFB operating guides and limitations.
Verify that applicable navigation databases are current and identify available backup equipment and power sources.
Complete or review AOPA's Transitioning to Other Airplanes Online Course, emphasizing unfamiliar aircraft systems and avionics.
Ask pertinent questions.
Demonstrate normal operation, mode awareness, instrument cross-check, failure recognition, and appropriate backup procedures during the lesson scenario.

Instrument Rating Aircraft Flight Instruments & Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Instrument Rating Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment Airman Certification Standards

Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with managing instruments appropriate for an IFR flight.
References: 14 CFR part 91; AC 90-100, AC 90-105, AC 90-107, AC 91-78, AC 91.21-1; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge).

Knowledge 3 ACS Elements

IR.II.B.K1:
Operation of the aircraft's applicable flight instrument system(s), including:
- IR.II.B.K1a:
  Pitot-static instrument system and associated instruments.
- IR.II.B.K1b:
  Gyroscopic/electric/vacuum instrument system and associated instruments.
- IR.II.B.K1c:
  Electrical systems, electronic flight instrument displays [primary flight display (PFD), multifunction display (MFD)], transponder and automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B).
- IR.II.B.K1d:
  Magnetic compass.
IR.II.B.K2:
Operation of the aircraft's applicable navigation system(s), including:
- IR.II.B.K2a:
  Very high frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR), distance measuring equipment (DME), instrument landing system (ILS), marker beacon receiver/indicators.
- IR.II.B.K2b:
  Area navigation (RNAV), global positioning system (GPS), Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), flight management system (FMS), autopilot.
IR.II.B.K3:
Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.

Risk Management 5 ACS Elements

IR.II.B.R1:
Monitoring and management of automated systems.
IR.II.B.R2:
Difference between approved and non-approved navigation devices.
IR.II.B.R3:
Modes of flight and navigation instruments, including failure conditions.
IR.II.B.R4:
Use of an electronic flight bag.
IR.II.B.R5:
Use of navigation databases.

Skills 2 ACS Elements

Instrument Rating Aircraft Flight Instruments & Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan

Conclusion

Re-Motivation:
- Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment develops the procedural discipline, instrument interpretation, and aircraft control required when outside visual references are limited or unavailable.
- Cross-checking instruments, monitoring navigation performance and automation modes, and recognizing deviations early preserve situational awareness and safe margins.
- Checklist use, workload management, database verification, and disciplined backup planning connect technical proficiency with sound instrument-flight judgment.
- Continued practice with Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment prepares instrument pilots for more complex procedures, system failures, 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.

Instrument Rating Aircraft Flight Instruments & Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan

Introduction

Schedule

Attention Getter:

Motivator:

Materials

Required Materials:

Optional Materials:

Reference Materials:

Instructor Actions

Guided Scenario(s)

Student Actions

Airman Certification Standards

Conclusion

Re-Motivation:

Closure: