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 Introduction
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Schedule:
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Cross-Country Preparation:0:45Part 3, Flight Planning Factors:0:10Part 4, Completing a Flight Plan:0:10Part 5, Contingencies:0:15Part 6, Cross-Country Flight Planning Risk Management:0:15Part 7, Cross-Country Flight Planning Guided Scenario(s):0:20Part 8, 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:
- 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 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 Airmens 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 preparing for the practical test, visit the checkride page.
- 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) 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 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 Airmens (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, Cross-Country Flight Planning Risk Management:
- Part 7, Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead a guided scenarios> cross-country Flight planning guided scenario.
- Part 8, 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 Guided Scenario(s)
- Scenario:
- You are planning a VFR cross-country flight from a familiar home airport to an unfamiliar airport approximately 120 NM away.
- The purpose of the flight is a day VFR training flight with one passenger onboard.
- Weather is currently VFR, but forecasts indicate increasing winds and potential lowering ceilings later in the day.
- Instructor Actions (Guided Discussion):
- Have the student begin by selecting an appropriate route using pilotage and dead reckoning, including checkpoints and terrain considerations.
- Require the student to determine headings, groundspeed, time en route, and fuel requirements using a navigation log.
- Ask the student to explain how wind affects course and groundspeed, and how corrections will be applied in flight.
- Require the student to identify appropriate cruising altitudes based on direction of flight and terrain.
- Have the student evaluate weather reports and forecasts and determine if the flight can be conducted safely.
- Ask the student to identify hazards such as deteriorating weather, terrain, airspace, and fuel limitations.
- Require the student to select suitable alternate airports and explain the reasoning.
- Discuss fuel reserves and require the student to determine a minimum fuel threshold for diversion or termination of the flight.
- Ask the student to explain how they will verify position in flight using checkpoints and time intervals.
- Introduce a deviation (stronger-than-forecast headwind) and require the student to recalculate groundspeed and fuel consumption.
- Introduce a missed checkpoint and require the student to determine position using dead reckoning and available resources.
- Ask the student when they would initiate a diversion and what factors would drive that decision.
- Require the student to explain how they will manage workload using “aviate, navigate, communicate.”
- Discuss risks associated with distraction, fixation, and loss of situational awareness during navigation tasks.
- Decision Points:
- Is the flight still safe to continue given updated weather and wind conditions?
- Is fuel remaining sufficient to reach the destination with required reserves?
- Should a diversion be initiated? If so, where and why?
- Is the pilot maintaining adequate situational awareness and position tracking?
- Completion Standards:
- The student demonstrates the ability to plan a cross-country flight (completing a flight log) using pilotage and dead reckoning.
- The student maintains situational awareness and accurately tracks position.
- The student identifies and mitigates risks associated with weather, fuel, terrain, and workload.
- The student makes timely and appropriate decisions regarding continuation or diversion.
- Related Scenarios:
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 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 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.