Private Pilot (Airplane) Communications Light Signals & Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan
The Private Pilot (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with normal and emergency radio communications, air traffic control (ATC) light signals, and runway lighting systems.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Communications Light Signals & Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan Introduction
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Attention Getter:
- Research a mishap case study:
- Discuss airspace in training or typical operating area.
- Relate similar personal experiences.
- Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario.
- Research a mishap case study:
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Motivator:
Private Pilot (Airplane) Communications Light Signals & Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Sectional chart.
- Chart Supplement, U.S.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
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Reference Materials:
- ATC light signals Supplement.
- Communications Avionics Supplement.
- Radar Assistance Supplement.
- Lost Communications Supplement.
- National Transportation Safety Board Supplement.
- Radio Communications Supplement.
- Runway Status Lighting Systems Supplement.
- Transponder Supplement.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 71.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 93.
- Aeronautical Information Manual.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Airman Certification Standards:
- Hard copies of the ACS and Oral Exam Guides are available on Amazon.
- Digital copies of the ACS are available on the FAA's website.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems 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 effective communication supports safety, compliance, situational awareness, and workload management in all phases of flight.
- Set expectations for standard phraseology, timely interpretation of instructions, and appropriate response to abnormal or emergency situations.
- Part 2, Radio Communications:
- Introduce radio communications.
- Introduce phraseology and emphasize standard terminology, brevity, and clarity.
- Review types and use of appropriate avionics:
- Review radio communications systems.
- Review transponder.
- Discuss how to obtain, verify, and use the proper frequencies.
- Require the student to practice transmitting and acknowledging communications using standard phraseology.
- Emphasize risks associated with poor communication habits, non-standard phraseology, missed instructions, and cockpit distraction.
- Part 3, ATC Services:
- Introduce Radar Assistance.
- Review Runway Status Lighting Systems.
- Discuss what radar assistance can and cannot provide to a VFR pilot.
- Discuss how runway lighting systems and runway status lights support runway safety and situational awareness.
- Emphasize correct interpretation of lighting cues and the need to continue clearing for traffic and conflicts.
- Part 4, Anomalies & Malfunctions:
- Review lost communications causes and procedures, as they relate to operating under VFR.
- Introduce ATC light signals.
- Discuss equipment issues that may cause communication loss and the indications a pilot may observe.
- Require the student to describe the proper response to common lost communication scenarios.
- Discuss when deteriorating circumstances may justify declaring an emergency.
- Emphasize risk management related to communication failure, uncertainty, non-standard phraseology, and delayed decision-making.
- Part 5, National Transportation Safety Board:
- Introduce National Transportation Safety Board.
- Discuss pilot responsibilities for accident and incident reporting.
- Differentiate between routine operational issues and occurrences requiring NTSB notification or reporting.
- Part 6, Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead a guided scenario.
- Present a realistic operating scenario requiring the student to select frequencies, make proper radio calls, and comply with instructions.
- Introduce a communication failure and require the student to apply lost communication procedures and interpret light gun signals.
- Require the student to identify runway lighting cues and explain their operational significance.
- Challenge the student to identify risks, prioritize tasks, and determine whether emergency declaration is warranted.
- Part 7, Lesson Conclusion:
- 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 communications procedures, light signals, runway lighting systems, and associated risk management.
- Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan Guided Scenario(s)
- Related scenarios:
Private Pilot (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Complete or review AOPA's Online Learning Course - Know Before You Go: Navigating Today's Airspace.
- Ask pertinent questions.
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
- Complete Special Awareness Training.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with normal and emergency radio communications, air traffic control (ATC) light signals, and runway lighting systems
- References: 14 CFR part 91; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); AIM
Private Pilot (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:-
PA.III.A.K1:
How to obtain appropriate radio frequencies. -
PA.III.A.K2:
Proper radio communication procedures and air traffic control (ATC) phraseology. -
PA.III.A.K3:
ATC light signal recognition. -
PA.III.A.K4:
Appropriate use of transponders. -
PA.III.A.K5:
Lost communication procedures. -
PA.III.A.K6:
Equipment issues that could cause loss of communication. -
PA.III.A.K7:
Radar assistance. -
PA.III.A.K8:
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident/incident reporting. -
PA.III.A.K9:
Runway Status Lighting Systems.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:-
PA.III.A.R1:
Communication. -
PA.III.A.R2:
Deciding if and when to declare an emergency. -
PA.III.A.R3:
[Archived]. -
PA.III.A.R4:
Use of non-standard phraseology.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:-
PA.III.A.S1:
Select and activate appropriate frequencies. -
PA.III.A.S2:
Transmit using standard phraseology and procedures as specified in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and Pilot/Controller Glossary. -
PA.III.A.S3:
Acknowledge radio communications and comply with ATC instructions or as directed by the evaluator.
Re-Motivation
Re-Motivation
Closure
Closure
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson
- Assign study materials for the next lesson
Private Pilot (Airplane) Communications Light Signals & Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan Materials
Reference Materials
- Radio Communications Supplement.
- Communications Avionics Supplement.
- Transponder Supplement.
- FAA Radar Services Supplement.
- Runway Status Lighting Systems Supplement.
- Airman Certification Standards:
- Hard copies of the ACS and Oral Exam Guides are available on Amazon.
- Digital copies of the ACS are available on the FAA's website.
- The FAA provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
- To learn more about earning the practical test, visit the checkride page.