Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight & Level Flight Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area VIII, Task A
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.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Fundamentals of Straight-and-Level Flight:1:15Part 3, Visual and Instrument References:1:15Part 4, Aircraft 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
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Attention Getter:
- Research and present a mishap case study:
- Ask the learner to describe prior knowledge or experience related to straight and level flight.
- 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.
- Research and present a mishap case study:
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Motivator:
- Explain how proficiency in straight and level flight supports safe and effective flight operations.
Materials
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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.
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Optional Materials:
- Pilot Operating Handbook, Electronic Flight Bag.
- Instructor endorsement log.
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Reference Materials:
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Principles of Flight Supplement.
- Flight Deck Management Supplement.
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Accident Cause Factors Supplement.
- Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance Supplement.
- Trimming the Aircraft Supplement.
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 (ACS).
- 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.
- Teach the function, operation, indications, limitations, and potential errors of the attitude indicator, altimeter, vertical speed indicator, heading indicator, airspeed indicator, and other installed instruments used to maintain straight-and-level flight. (PA.VIII.A.K1) (PA.VIII.A.K1a) (PA.VIII.A.K1b) (PA.VIII.A.K1c)
- Introduce a complete instrument cross-check, explain independent confirmation of unexpected indications, and demonstrate avoidance of fixation and omission. (PA.VIII.A.K1d)
- Discuss transition between outside references and instrument references.
- Distinguish present heading from a selected-heading reference on the installed display.
- 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:
- Observe and assess straight-and-level flight solely by reference to instruments using proper cross-check, interpretation, and coordinated control application; identify and correct deviations and reinforce safe exercise limits and positive transfer of control. (PA.VIII.A.S1)
- Demonstrate establishing straight-and-level flight at a specified altitude and heading.
- Require the student to maintain altitude within ±200 feet, heading within ±20°, and airspeed within ±10 knots. (PA.VIII.A.S2)
- 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:
- Explain and assess the essential knowledge and procedures associated with straight and level flight.
- Part 8, Straight-and-Level Flight:
- Explain and assess the essential knowledge and procedures associated with straight and level flight.
- Part 9, Straight and Level Flight Risk Management:
- Discuss instrument-flight hazards, including inadvertent departure from visual flight rules (VFR), spatial disorientation, loss of control, fatigue, stress, and the possibility of an emergency off-airport landing. (PA.VIII.A.R1)
- Establish decision points for seeking assistance, discontinuing the exercise, or declaring an emergency when weather, workload, aircraft control, orientation, fuel, or terrain clearance deteriorates. (PA.VIII.A.R2)
- Discuss risks associated with distractions, task prioritization, and loss of situational awareness. (PA.VIII.A.R4)
- Discuss fixation on instruments or outside references and how it leads to altitude or heading deviations. (PA.VIII.A.R5)
- Discuss overcontrolling and pilot-induced oscillations.
- Discuss collision avoidance while maintaining straight-and-level flight. (PA.VIII.A.R3)
- Cross-check supporting instruments before acting on an unexpected indication and distinguish aircraft performance from a possible instrument error or failure. (PA.VIII.A.R6)
- Apply small, measured, coordinated pitch, power, and control corrections solely by reference to instruments without chasing indications. (PA.VIII.A.R7)
- Retrim after changes in pitch, power, airspeed, or configuration while maintaining primary control, and recognize and correct excessive or misapplied trim. (PA.VIII.A.R8)
- Part 10, Straight-and-Level Flight Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead a guided scenarios.
- Part 11, 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.
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 (angle of attack)?
Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Complete a personal weather minimums worksheet.
- Ask pertinent questions.
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
Airman Certification Standards
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)
Knowledge 1 ACS Element
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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.
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Risk Management 8 ACS Elements
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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 situation. -
PA.VIII.A.R3: -
PA.VIII.A.R4: -
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:
Skills 2 ACS Elements
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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.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Straight and Level Flight develops the knowledge, disciplined habits, and operational judgment private pilots need for safe and predictable flight operations.
- Connecting procedures with aircraft limitations, environmental conditions, and available alternatives helps pilots recognize hazards before safety margins are reduced.
- Consistent checklist use, situational awareness, communication, and sound aeronautical decision-making turn lesson concepts into dependable performance.
- Continued study and scenario-based practice with Straight and Level Flight prepare private pilots for more complex tasks and increasingly demanding operations later in training.
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Closure:
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
- Assign study materials for the next lesson.