Private Pilot (Airplane)
Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan
The Private Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with cross-country flights and VFR flight planning.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan Introduction
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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:
- Flight planning is the process in which a pilot prepares for an upcoming flight
- While often associated with completing a navigation log for a cross-country, flight planning is a process that must be conducted even for local flights in the traffic pattern
- It is a descriptive process therefore involving more than one type of navigation
- If no wind information is available, plan using statistical winds, make them headwinds to be conservative in your fuel planning
- Pilots will chose a route of flight and select cruise altitude based on a variety of factors
- Flight planning is the process in which a pilot prepares for an upcoming flight
Private Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Pilot Operating Handbook.
- Electronic Flight Bag.
- Internet connection (computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.).
- Notices to Airman (NOTAMs).
- Phone.
- Access to FSS.
- Current sectional chart.
- Current Chart Supplemental, U.S.
- Navigation flight log.
- Flight Plan form (FAA Form 7233-4).
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- Instructor endorsement log
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Reference Materials:
- Flight Planning Supplement.
- National Airspace System Supplement.
- Use of Electronic Flight Bags Supplement.
- Fuel Planning Supplement.
- VFR and IFR Flight Plans Supplement.
- Intercept Procedures Supplement.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- FAA Radar Services Supplement.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.
- Chart Supplement, U.S.
- Notice to Air Missions Supplement
- Risk Management Handbook
- Airplane Flying Handbook
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
- NOTAMs
- VFR Navigation Charts
- 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.
- The FAA provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
- To learn more about earning the practical test, visit the checkride page.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention-getter and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Part 2, Cross-Country Preparation:
- Introduce Route planning, including consideration of different classes and special use airspace (SUA) and selection of appropriate and available navigation/communication systems and facilities
- Cross-Country Flight Planning
- Review weather/self-briefing
- Performance Calculations
- Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs)
- Chart Supplement U.S.
- Introduce Fuel planning
- Introduce obstructions to flight
- Introduce use of an electronic flight bag
- Part 3, Flight Planning Factors:
- Discuss fitness for flight
- Discuss aircraft preflight
- Discuss hazardous attitudes
- Part 4, Completing a Flight Plan:
- Introduce Elements of a VFR flight plan.
- Introduce filing, activating, and closing a VFR flight plan
- Part 5, Contingencies:
- Introduce intercept procedures
- Introduce diversions (discussed fully in diversion lesson plan)
- Part 6, Guided Scenario:
- Part 7, 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) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan Guided Scenario(s)
- Complete a flight log
- Related scenarios:
Private Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- 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) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with cross-country flights and VFR flight planning
- References: 14 CFR part 91; AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); NOTAMs; VFR Navigation Charts
- Note: Preparation, presentation, and explanation of a computer-generated flight plan is an acceptable option
Private Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:-
PA.I.D.K1:
Route planning, including consideration of different classes and special use airspace (SUA) and selection of appropriate and available navigation/communication systems and facilities.-
PA.I.D.K1a:
Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
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PA.I.D.K2:
Altitude selection accounting for terrain and obstacles, glide distance of airplane, VFR cruising altitudes, and effect of wind. -
PA.I.D.K3:
Calculating:-
PA.I.D.K3a:
Time, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed, and groundspeed. -
PA.I.D.K3b:
Estimated time of arrival, including conversion to universal coordinated time (UTC). -
PA.I.D.K3c:
Fuel requirements, including reserve.
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PA.I.D.K4:
Elements of a VFR flight plan. -
PA.I.D.K5:
Procedures for filing, activating and closing a VFR flight plan. -
PA.I.D.K6:
Inflight intercept procedures.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:-
PA.I.D.R1:
Pilot. -
PA.I.D.R2:
Aircraft. -
PA.I.D.R3:
Environment (e.g., weather, airports, airspace, terrain, obstacles). -
PA.I.D.R4:
External Pressures. -
PA.I.D.R5:
Limitations of air traffic control (ATC) services. -
PA.I.D.R6:
Fuel planning. -
PA.I.D.R7:
Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:-
PA.I.D.S1:
Prepare, present, and explain a cross-country flight plan assigned by the evaluator, including a risk analysis based on real-time weather, to the first fuel stop. -
PA.I.D.S2:
Apply pertinent information from appropriate and current aeronautical charts, Chart Supplements; Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) relative to airport, runway and taxiway closures; and other flight publications. -
PA.I.D.S4:
Recalculate fuel reserves based on a scenario provided by the evaluator. -
PA.I.D.S5:
Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) Cross-Country Flight Planning Lesson Plan Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- With a foundation on the requirements to meet certification standards, students can envision a path to certification completion.
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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