Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan
The Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight and Level Flight Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flying during straight-and-level flight solely by reference to instruments.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan Introduction
-
Schedule:
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Fundamentals and Prerequisites:1:15Part 3, Visual References and Instrument Scan:1:15Part 4, Performance and Configuration:0:20Part 5, Skill Development:0:20Part 6, Application:0:20Part 7, Cockpit Instrumentation Review:0:20Part 8, Straight-and-Level Flight:0:20Part 9, Straight and Level Flight Risk Management:0:20Part 10, Straight and Level Flight Guided Scenario(s):0:20Part 11, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
Attention Getter:
- Research a mishap case study:
- .
- 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:
- .
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:
- 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 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 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 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 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.