Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan Materials

Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Internet connection (computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.).
- Phone (for preflight briefing).
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
Optional Materials:
- Pilot Operating Handbook, Electronic Flight Bag.
- Instructor endorsement log.
Reference Materials:
- Aircraft Weather and Atmosphere Supplement.
- Mountain Flying Supplement.
- Pilot Logbooks Supplement.
- Air Masses and Weather Fronts Supplement.
- Clouds in the Aviation Environment Supplement.
- Turbulence Supplement.
- Thunderstorms Supplement.
- Microbursts Supplement.
- Icing in the Aviation Environment Supplement.
- Aviation Fog Supplement.
- Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) Supplement.
- Terminal Area Forecast (TAF) Supplement.
- Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA) Supplement.
- Surface Analysis Chart Supplement.
- Winds and Temperatures Aloft Supplement.
- Convective Outlook Supplement.
- In-Flight Weather Advisories Supplement.
- Pilot Reports Supplement.
- Preflight Briefing Supplement.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.
- Advisory Circular (91-92) Pilot's Guide to a Preflight Briefing.
- 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) Straight & Level Flight 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.
Part 2, Fundamentals of Straight-and-Level Flight:
- Review four forces of flight and how lift and weight are balanced in level flight.
- Discuss the relationship between pitch and airspeed, and power and altitude.
- Introduce angle of attack and its role in maintaining level flight.
- Explain coordinated flight and use of rudder to maintain balance.
- Discuss trim usage to relieve control pressures.
Part 3, Visual and Instrument References:
- Demonstrate use of outside visual references to maintain pitch attitude and heading.
- Introduce instrument cross-check (attitude indicator, altimeter, VSI, heading indicator, airspeed indicator).
- Explain proper scan technique and avoidance of fixation.
- Discuss transition between outside references and instrument references.
Part 4, Aircraft Performance and Configuration:
- Demonstrate establishing straight-and-level flight from climb and descent.
- Discuss configuration changes (power, pitch, trim) and their effects.
- Teach maintaining constant altitude, heading, and airspeed simultaneously.
- Emphasize small, smooth control inputs and proper correction techniques.
Part 5, Skill Development:
- Demonstrate establishing straight-and-level flight at a specified altitude and heading.
- Require the student to maintain altitude within ±100 feet, heading within ±10°, and airspeed within ±10 knots. (ACS: S1)
- Have the student correct deviations using coordinated pitch, power, and trim inputs.
- Require the student to maintain coordination using rudder and visual cues.
Part 6, Application:
- Require the student to demonstrate straight-and-level flight under varying conditions (different airspeeds, configurations, and workload levels).
- Introduce distractions (radio call, checklist usage) while maintaining control.
- Have the student verbalize control priorities: pitch, power, trim.
Part 7, Cockpit Instrumentation Review:
- .
Part 8, Straight-and-Level Flight:
- .
Part 9, Straight and Level Flight Risk Management:
- Discuss risks associated with distractions, task prioritization, and loss of situational awareness. (ACS: R1)
- Discuss fixation on instruments or outside references and how it leads to altitude or heading deviations. (ACS: R2)
- Discuss overcontrolling and pilot-induced oscillations.
- Discuss collision avoidance while maintaining straight-and-level flight. (ACS: R3)
Part 10, Straight-and-Level Flight Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead a guided scenarios.
Part 11, Lesson Conclusion:
- 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.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan Guided Scenario(s)

How can a pilot recognize they are in straight and level flight? What are the instrument indications?
How may a pilot perform a cross-check of the available information to observe straight and level flight as well as make corrections for any deviation?
As a pilot travels over a distance, what instrument limitations must be compensated for?
While in cruise flight, the pilot decides to slow down
- What is happening to the aircraft's thrust? Drag? Pitch? AOA?

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan Student Actions

Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
Complete a personal weather minimums worksheet.
Complete or review AOPA's Online Learning Course - Weather or Not Thunderstorm Challenge.
Ask pertinent questions.
Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Airman Certification Standards

Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flying during straight-and-level flight solely by reference to instruments
References: 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)

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight and Level Flight Knowledge:

The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:

PA.VIII.A.K1:
Flight instruments as related to:
- PA.VIII.A.K1a:
  Instrument limitations and potential errors.
- PA.VIII.A.K1b:
  Indication of the aircraft attitude.
- PA.VIII.A.K1c:
  Function and operation.
- PA.VIII.A.K1d:
  Proper instrument cross-check techniques.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight and Level Flight Risk Management:

The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:

PA.VIII.A.R1:
Instrument flying hazards, including failure to maintain visual flight rules (VFR), spatial disorientation, loss of control, fatigue, stress, and emergency off airport landings.
PA.VIII.A.R2:
When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situationn.
PA.VIII.A.R3:
Collision hazards.
PA.VIII.A.R4:
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
PA.VIII.A.R5:
Fixation and omission.
PA.VIII.A.R6:
Instrument Interpretation.
PA.VIII.A.R7:
Control application solely by reference to instruments.
PA.VIII.A.R8:
Trimming the aircraft.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight and Level Flight Skills:

The applicant exhibits the skills to:

PA.VIII.A.S1:
Maintain straight-and-level flight using proper instrument cross-check and interpretation, and coordinated control application.
PA.VIII.A.S2:
Maintain altitude ±200 feet, heading ±20°, and airspeed ±10 knots.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan Conclusion

Re-Motivation:
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) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan Introduction

Schedule:

Attention Getter:

Motivator:

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan Materials

Required Materials:

Optional Materials:

Reference Materials:

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan Instructor Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan Guided Scenario(s)

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan Student Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight and Level Flight Knowledge:

PA.VIII.A.K1:

PA.VIII.A.K1a:

PA.VIII.A.K1b:

PA.VIII.A.K1c:

PA.VIII.A.K1d:

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight and Level Flight Risk Management:

PA.VIII.A.R1:

PA.VIII.A.R2:

PA.VIII.A.R3:

PA.VIII.A.R4:

PA.VIII.A.R5:

PA.VIII.A.R6:

PA.VIII.A.R7:

PA.VIII.A.R8:

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight and Level Flight Skills:

PA.VIII.A.S1:

PA.VIII.A.S2:

Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan Conclusion

Re-Motivation:

Closure: