Private Pilot (Airplane) Systems & Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area IX, Task C

The Private Pilot (Airplane) Systems and Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with system and equipment malfunctions appropriate to the airplane provided for the practical test.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Systems & Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) Systems & Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan
Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Systems and Equipment Malfunctions:
    0:15
    Part 3, Systems and Equipment Malfunctions Risk Management:
    0:20
    Part 4, Systems and Equipment Malfunctions Guided Scenario(s):
    0:20
    Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Research and present 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:

    • PIC is directly responsible for and is the final authority as to the operation of that aircraft
    • Pilots must be prepared to act in the event of an abnormal condition (abnormalities not time threatening) or an emergency (immediate action required)
    • In an emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot-in-command and remote pilot-in-command may deviate from FAR 91 or FAR 107 respectively, to the extend required to meet the emergency
      • If the PIC choses to deviate from the provisions of an ATC clearance, the PIC must notify ATC as soon as possible and obtain an amended clearance
        • Note this is not a blanket clearance to perform unnecessary deviations!
      • Unless deviation is necessary under the emergency authority of 91.3, pilots of IFR flights experiencing two-way radio communication failure are expected to adhere to the procedures prescribed under "IFR operations, two-way radio communications failure"
    • Troubleshooting is important but don't fix an airplane airborne when you can safely land first
    • Be directive, if you want something, tell them, don't let ATC drive you
    • Declare emergencies with general terms, use "electrical" or "engine" for example
    • The PIC must notify ATC as soon as possible and obtain an amended clearance
    • Discrete emergency frequencies may be assigned by ATC
      • By default use CTAF or guard (121.5/243.0)
      • You must hear different radio communications
    • Emergency hand signals are listed in 6-5-3
    • First 3 seconds, ask yourself, where am I? What do I have? Is the light valid?
    • With every emergency there will be primary and secondary signals
      • It is important to realize that secondary indications may, or may not be present

Help Us Grow

Enjoy CFI Notebook? A one-time donation helps us create more high-quality lessons, quizzes, scenarios, graphics, and interactive tools.

One-Time Donation
Private Pilot (Airplane) Systems & Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

Materials

Private Pilot (Airplane) Systems & Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Systems and Equipment Malfunctions:
    • Explain aircraft-specific causes and indications of partial or complete power loss and appropriate diagnosis, response, and landing priorities. (PA.IX.C.K1)
    • Explain aircraft-specific system and equipment malfunctions, including vacuum/pressure, pitot-static, and electronic-display failure indications, shared power/data dependencies, reliable remaining references, and checklist-directed response. (PA.IX.C.K2) (PA.IX.C.K2b) (PA.IX.C.K2c) (PA.IX.C.K2d)
    • Explain landing-gear, flap, and trim failure indications and aircraft-specific response, including configuration verification, control forces, and revised landing performance. (PA.IX.C.K2e) (PA.IX.C.K2f)
      • Distinguish inoperative or stuck trim from runaway trim; discuss aircraft-specific recognition, control-force management, isolation, available manual trim, and landing considerations.
    • Explain smoke and fire causes, recognition, aircraft-specific isolation and response, and urgent landing priorities; disappearance of smoke does not establish that a fault is repaired. (PA.IX.C.K3)
    • Explain installed oxygen, ice-protection, and other aircraft-specific system malfunctions, limitations, remaining capability, and response. (PA.IX.C.K4)
    • Explain inadvertent door or window opening and the aircraft-specific response while preserving control rather than attempting an unsafe in-flight closure. (PA.IX.C.K5)
    • Assess incorrect-checklist selection, distraction, fixation, and disorientation hazards; complete required immediate actions, then the applicable checklist, while maintaining control and flight-path awareness. (PA.IX.C.R1) (PA.IX.C.R2)
    • Assess an undesired aircraft state and startle response; reestablish control and reliable indications before troubleshooting, and select a timely safe landing when needed. (PA.IX.C.R3) (PA.IX.C.R4)
    • Observe appropriate action and checklist use for safe simulations from at least three applicable K1 through K5 elements or sub-elements; never induce a real fault to test the student. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.IX.C.S1) (PA.IX.C.S2)
    • Discuss believable but erroneous gyro indications after a vacuum-system failure and cross-check independent references before relying on an instrument.
    • Have the student identify which instruments, sensors, buses, power sources, and standby devices remain reliable; do not assume a second display is independent.
    • Discuss electrical generation, distribution, battery, circuit-protection, smoke/fire, starter, pitot-static, vacuum/pressure, flap, landing-gear, flight-control, and aircraft-specific engine-control failure indications and remaining capability.
    • Use aircraft-specific abnormal and emergency procedures: complete required immediate actions, then use the AFM/POH checklist without allowing troubleshooting to displace aircraft control, flight-path awareness, or a timely landing.
    • Have the student cross-check primary and secondary indications, aircraft behavior, annunciations, and shared power or data sources before identifying a system failure.
    • Discuss electrical malfunctions using the installed aircraft system diagram and AFM/POH emergency checklists. (PA.IX.C.K2a)
      • Compare normal ammeter, loadmeter, voltage, and warning indications with loss of alternator or generator output. Explain why battery-powered equipment can keep operating after charging fails.
      • Distinguish low voltage, sustained high voltage or excessive charging, and excessive current demand. Explain regulator and overvoltage protection behavior without assuming identical protection or reset procedures across aircraft.
      • Explain battery depletion, uncertain endurance, and battery-overheating warnings. Identify the installed battery and standby-power limits and the applicable abnormal procedures.
      • Explain short circuits, open circuits, overloads, and tripped breakers or blown fuses. Discuss fault isolation and why a reset is not routine permission; do not repeatedly reset protection or use resets to troubleshoot smoke or burning odors.
      • Use the system diagram to trace a partial bus or component failure. Identify shared power dependencies and genuinely independent standby instruments or power supplies.
      • Explain total main-system power loss, conventional magneto independence, and aircraft-specific electrical dependencies of engine controls, ignition, fuel pumps, flaps, gear, radios, lights, and instruments.
      • Explain burning-insulation odor, smoke, or fire recognition; checklist-directed isolation, fire and smoke response, and landing as soon as possible. Explain why disappearing smoke does not prove the fault is repaired.
      • Discuss a stuck starter relay and abnormal post-start current, voltage, light, or noise indications. Explain shutdown and maintenance before flight and the potential for electrical and engine damage.
      • Have the student explain essential-load selection and a suitable landing plan for an unresolved electrical failure, considering day or night conditions, available power, communications, and landing-configuration needs.
      • Assess this knowledge with the aligned quiz questions once approved. Practice only through discussion, diagrams, or safe instructor-controlled simulation; do not induce real faults or disregard the aircraft checklist.
    • Discuss Systems and Equipment Malfunctions situations.
    • Discuss Systems and Equipment Malfunctions considerations.
    • Discuss Systems and Equipment Malfunctions procedure.
    • Discuss Systems and Equipment Malfunctions common errors.
  • Part 3, Systems and Equipment Malfunctions Risk Management:
    • Require correct immediate action and checklist selection for each simulated malfunction while maintaining aircraft control and flight-path awareness. (PA.IX.C.R1)
    • Manage distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, and disorientation by stabilizing the airplane before diagnosing or troubleshooting. (PA.IX.C.R2)
    • Recognize and recover from an undesired aircraft state before continuing diagnosis or checklist use. (PA.IX.C.R3)
    • Manage the startle response by pausing, maintaining control, verifying reliable indications, and selecting a timely course of action. (PA.IX.C.R4)
  • Part 4, Systems and Equipment Malfunctions Guided Scenario(s):
    • Use a guided scenario requiring the student to detect a failure, protect essential capability, shed or isolate equipment only as directed, communicate limitations, select a suitable landing before the condition worsens, describe the appropriate actions for at least three applicable K1 through K5 items, and complete the corresponding checklists. (PA.IX.C.S1) (PA.IX.C.S2)
  • Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:
  • Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Systems & Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Present a realistic systems and equipment malfunctions scenario and have the learner identify hazards, make appropriate decisions, and explain the proposed course of action.
  • Preflight Assessment.

Interactive Scenario

Loading scenario details...

Loading...
Decision 1
0%

Scenario Complete

Private Pilot (Airplane) Systems & Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Systems & Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Systems & Equipment Malfunctions Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 5 ACS Elements
  • PA.IX.C.K1:
    Causes of partial or complete power loss related to the specific type of powerplant(s).
    • PA.IX.C.K1a:
      [Archived].
    • PA.IX.C.K1b:
      [Archived].
    • PA.IX.C.K1c:
      [Archived].
    • PA.IX.C.K1d:
      [Archived].
  • PA.IX.C.K2:
    System and equipment malfunctions specific to the aircraft, including:
  • PA.IX.C.K3:
    Causes and remedies for smoke or fire onboard the aircraft.
  • PA.IX.C.K4:
    Any other system specific to the airplane (e.g., supplemental oxygen, deicing).
  • PA.IX.C.K5:
    Inadvertent door or window opening.
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
Skills 2 ACS Elements
  • PA.IX.C.S1:
    Describe appropriate action for simulated emergencies specified by the evaluator, from at least three of the elements or sub-elements listed in K1 through K5 above.
  • PA.IX.C.S2:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Private Pilot (Airplane) Systems & Equipment Malfunctions Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Systems and Equipment Malfunctions develops the calm, disciplined response needed when time, altitude, aircraft capability, or available options are limited.
    • Early recognition, aircraft control, checklist use, clear priorities, and continuous evaluation of recovery or landing options help prevent an abnormal event from becoming unmanageable.
    • Scenario practice strengthens situational awareness and aeronautical decision-making so pilots can adapt procedures to the aircraft, environment, and urgency of the event.
    • Continued practice with Systems and Equipment Malfunctions prepares private pilots to manage more complex failures while preserving the margins needed for a safe outcome.

  • Closure:

    • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson