Private Pilot (Airplane) Diversion Lesson Plan
The Private Pilot (Airplane) Diversion Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with diversion.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Diversion Lesson Plan Introduction
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Schedule:
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Diversion Fundamentals:1:15Part 3, Diversion Procedures:1:15Part 4, Diversion Risk Management:0:20Part 5, Diversion Guided Scenario(s):0:20Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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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.
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Motivator:
- Diversions are deviations from the original plan which are usually due to fuel, weather, aeromedical or systems
- While no one plans to divert, the first time the situation dictates a diversion, you should have already planned ahead
- Practice develops skills necessary for plotting a new course and determining a new ETA while en route
- Diversions occur due to low fuel, bad weather, fatigue, illness, airplane or system malfunction, and others
- Although the concept is the same, their procedures can be dramatically different when flying Visual Flight Rules (VFR) or Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)
Private Pilot (Airplane) Diversion Lesson Plan 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:
- 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) Diversion 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, Diversion Fundamentals:
- Discuss selecting an alternate destination, including runway length, services, weather, terrain, and familiarity.
- Discuss diversion decision making, emphasizing early recognition and timely action.
- Discuss situations requiring deviation from the flight plan or ATC instructions.
- Review risks associated with delaying diversion decisions, including fuel exhaustion, deteriorating weather, and increasing workload.
- Discuss task prioritization and distractions, emphasizing “aviate, navigate, communicate.”
- Introduce available resources (charts, GPS, ATC, onboard equipment) and how they support diversion decisions.
- Part 3, Diversion Procedures:
- Discuss diversion planning, including estimating heading, distance, groundspeed, time, and fuel.
- Demonstrate how to select a suitable route and adjust for wind correction.
- Discuss maintaining aircraft control while performing calculations and navigation updates.
- Introduce VFR diversion procedures, including pilotage, dead reckoning, and use of landmarks.
- Introduce IFR diversion considerations, including ATC coordination and clearance requirements.
- Discuss updating Diversion in flight and adjusting the diversion plan accordingly.
- Review common errors, including fixation, poor planning, loss of situational awareness, and failure to act promptly.
- Part 4, Diversion Risk Management:
- Part 5, Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead a guided scenarios.
- Present a realistic en route situation requiring a diversion (weather, fuel, mechanical, or passenger-related).
- Require the student to select a diversion airport and justify the decision.
- Have the student estimate heading, time en route, and fuel requirements.
- Require the student to verbalize priorities and demonstrate workload management.
- Challenge the student to identify and mitigate risks such as disorientation, fuel state, and deteriorating conditions.
- Part 6, 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) Diversion 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) Diversion Lesson Plan Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
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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.