Private Pilot (Airplane) Diversion Lesson Plan

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

The Private Pilot (Airplane) Diversion Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with diversion.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Diversion Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Diversion Fundamentals:
    1:15
    Part 3, Diversion Procedures:
    1:15
    Part 4, Diversion Risk Management:
    0:20
    Part 5, Guided Scenario(s):
    0:20
    Part 6, 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:

    • 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 (Estimated Time of Arrival) 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)

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Private Pilot (Airplane) Diversion Lesson Plan

Materials

Private Pilot (Airplane) Diversion Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Review the maneuver's common errors and assess the learner's understanding of their mitigations.
  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Diversion Fundamentals:
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain and select a suitable alternate destination and route using weather, fuel, performance, airport or seaplane-base suitability, terrain, and available services, as applicable. (PA.VI.C.K1; PA.VI.C.S1)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply conditions requiring a change of flight plan or deviation from ATC (Air Traffic Control) instructions, distinguishing routine clearance amendments from emergency authority and prompt communication. (PA.VI.C.K2)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply selecting an alternate destination, including runway length, services, weather, terrain, and familiarity. (PA.VI.C.K1)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply diversion decision making, emphasizing early recognition and timely action.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply situations requiring deviation from the flight plan or ATC instructions.
    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain risks associated with delaying diversion decisions, including fuel exhaustion, deteriorating weather, and increasing workload.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply task prioritization and distractions, emphasizing “aviate, navigate, communicate.”
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of available resources (charts, GPS (Global Positioning System), ATC, onboard equipment) and how they support diversion decisions.
  • Part 3, Diversion Procedures:
    • Observe suitable destination and route selection, reasonable heading, groundspeed, arrival-time and fuel estimates, and prompt diversion while maintaining ACS (Airman Certification Standards) altitude and heading tolerances; correct deviations. (PA.VI.C.S1; PA.VI.C.S2; PA.VI.C.S3; PA.VI.C.S6)
    • Observe inflight weather updates and interpretation, including applicable digital weather and aeronautical displays and their limitations; correct errors and revise the diversion plan as needed. (PA.VI.C.S4; PA.VI.C.S5)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply diversion planning, including estimating heading, distance, groundspeed, time, and fuel.
    • Demonstrate how to select a suitable route and adjust for wind correction.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply maintaining aircraft control while performing calculations and navigation updates.
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of VFR diversion procedures, including pilotage, dead reckoning, and use of landmarks.
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of IFR diversion considerations, including ATC coordination and clearance requirements.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply updating Diversion in flight and adjusting the diversion plan accordingly.
    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain common errors, including fixation, poor planning, loss of situational awareness, and failure to act promptly.
  • Part 4, Diversion Risk Management:
    • Assess diversion collision hazards; maintain visual scanning, terrain clearance, and suitable traffic spacing while changing route. (PA.VI.C.R1)
    • Assess distraction, poor prioritization, disorientation, and lost-awareness hazards; stabilize aircraft control, simplify tasks, and seek assistance early. (PA.VI.C.R2)
    • Assess circumstances making diversion prudent, including deteriorating weather, fuel, aircraft condition, or occupants; set early triggers and choose a suitable airport or seaplane base rather than persisting with an unsafe plan. (PA.VI.C.R3; PA.VI.C.R4)
    • Assess limitations and workload associated with automation, ATC, and flight-deck planning aids; cross-check information and use available resources without surrendering pilot responsibility. (PA.VI.C.R5)
  • 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:
    • 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 the instructor log and student progress. Select the student and sign off completed objectives. If the student does not have a connected account, record the update manually in the instructor log and student training record.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Diversion Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Take an existing flight plan and identify potential alternates
    • What airports are suitable, have requisite services, or are most familiar?
  • Discuss considerations for diverting for maintenance, weather, etc.
  • Discuss resources available to make a diversion decision
  • Walk through a diversion
  • Related scenarios:
Private Pilot (Airplane) Diversion Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Diversion Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Diversion Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 2 ACS Elements
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
Skills 6 ACS Elements
  • PA.VI.C.S1:
    Select a suitable destination and route for diversion.
  • PA.VI.C.S2:
    Make a reasonable estimate of heading, groundspeed, arrival time, and fuel required to the "divert to" destination.
  • PA.VI.C.S3:
    Maintain the selected altitude ±200 feet and heading ±15°.
  • PA.VI.C.S4:
    Update/interpret weather in flight.
  • PA.VI.C.S5:
    Use displays of digital weather and aeronautical information, as applicable to maintain situational awareness.
  • PA.VI.C.S6:
    Promptly divert toward the destination.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Diversion Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Diversion connects careful preflight planning with the continuous awareness needed to keep the aircraft, route, fuel, weather, and available alternatives aligned.
    • Using multiple navigation references and verifying position, performance, and changing conditions helps pilots detect errors before they narrow available options.
    • Timely communication, workload management, and a willingness to revise the plan turn navigation knowledge into practical aeronautical decision-making.
    • Further practice with Diversion prepares private pilots for longer, less familiar, and more operationally complex flights.

  • Closure:

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