Private Pilot (Airplane)
National Airspace System Lesson Plan
The Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with National Airspace System (NAS) operations under VFR as a private pilot.
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Lesson Plan Introduction
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Attention Getter:
- Research a mishap case study:
- Discuss airspace in training or typical operating area
- Relate similar personal experiences
- Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario
- Research a mishap case study:
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Motivator:
- The National Airspace System (NAS) is the network of United States airspace, air navigation facilities, services, airports, regulations, procedures, technical information, human resources, and material shared jointly between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the military.
- The national airspace system is divided into categories and further classified by complexity, density, nature of operations, level of safety required, and national and public interest.
- The FAA designs rules, regulations, and procedures pilots must follow depending on the airspace they operate within.
- Airspace is generally charted to identify its location, hours of operation, altitudes, etc.
- Nationally, the airspace is monitored and publically displayed using the Operational Information System.
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Lesson Plan Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Sectional chart.
- Chart Supplement, U.S.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
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Reference Materials:
- Navigation Charts Supplement.
- National Airspace System Supplement.
- Special Use Airspace Supplement.
- Special VFR Supplement.
- Other Airspace Supplement.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 71.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 93.
- 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) National Airspace System Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Lesson Plan Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention-getter and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Part 2, Airspace Overview:
- Introduce or review basic VFR weather minimums
- Introduce the two airspace categories (regulatory and non-regulatory)
- Introduce the four types of airspace (controlled, uncontrolled, special use, and other) and which are regulatory vs. not
- Introduce basic VFR weather minimums for all airspaces and altitudes
- Introduce special VFR requirements and procedures
- Part 3, Class Alpha Airspace:
- Introduce Class Alpha airspace information
- Introduce Class Alpha airspace air traffic services
- Introduce Class Alpha airspace dimensions
- Introduce Class Alpha airspace depiction (include symbology/airport data information)
- Introduce Class Alpha airspace operating rules & pilot/equipment requirements (requirements, limitations and phraseology)
- Introduce Class Alpha ATC authorizations and deviations
- Introduce Class Alpha airspace information
- Part 4, Class Bravo Airspace
- Introduce Class Bravo airspace information
- Introduce Class Bravo airspace air traffic services
- Introduce Class Bravo airspace dimensions
- Introduce Class Bravo airspace depiction (include symbology/airport data information)
- Introduce Class Bravo airspace operating rules & pilot/equipment requirements (requirements, limitations and phraseology)
- Introduce Class Bravo ATC authorizations and deviations
- Introduce Class Bravo airspace information
- Part 5, Class Charlie Airspace:
- Introduce Class Charlie airspace information
- Introduce Class Charlie airspace air traffic services
- Introduce Class Charlie airspace dimensions
- Introduce Class Charlie airspace depiction (include symbology/airport data information)
- Introduce Class Charlie airspace operating rules & pilot/equipment requirements (requirements, limitations and phraseology)
- Introduce Class Charlie ATC authorizations and deviations
- Introduce secondary/satellite airports
- Introduce Class Charlie airspace information
- Part 6, Class Delta Airspace:
- Introduce Class Delta airspace information
- Introduce Class Delta airspace air traffic services
- Introduce Class Delta airspace dimensions
- Introduce Class Delta airspace depiction (include symbology/airport data information)
- Introduce Class Delta airspace operating rules & pilot/equipment requirements (requirements, limitations and phraseology)
- Introduce Class Delta ATC authorizations and deviations
- Introduce weather observations and reporting
- Introduce Class Delta airspace information
- Part 7, Class Echo Airspace:
- Introduce Class Echo airspace information
- Introduce Class Echo airspace air traffic services
- Introduce Class Echo airspace dimensions
- Introduce Class Echo airspace depiction (include symbology/airport data information)
- Introduce Class Echo airspace operating rules & pilot/equipment requirements (requirements, limitations and phraseology)
- Introduce Class Echo functions
- Introduce weather observations and reporting
- Introduce Class Echo airspace information
- Part 8, Class Golf Airspace:
- Introduce Class Golf airspace information
- Introduce Class Golf airspace air traffic services
- Introduce Class Golf airspace dimensions
- Introduce Class Golf airspace depiction (include symbology/airport data information)
- Introduce Class Golf airspace operating rules & pilot/equipment requirements (requirements, limitations and phraseology)
- Introduce Class Golf airspace considerations
- Introduce weather observations and reporting
- Introduce Class Golf airspace information
- Special Use Airspace:
- Introduce Special use airspace requirements, limitations, and chart symbology
- Introduce prohibited airspace
- Introduce restricted airspace
- Introduce national security areas
- Introduce military operating areas
- Introduce alert areas
- Introduce controlled firing areas
- Introduce warning areas
- Introduce Special use airspace requirements, limitations, and chart symbology
- Part 10, Other Airspace:
- Introduce Other airspace requirements, limitations, and chart symbology
- Introduce wildlife & recreational areas
- Introduce terminal radar service areas
- Introduce airport advisory areas & services
- Introduce military training routes
- Introduce parachute jump aircraft areas
- Introduce temporary flight restrictions (identifying and operating within)
- Introduce published VFR routes
- Introduce air defense identification zones
- Introduce Special Air Traffic Rules (SATRs) and Special Flight Rules Areas (SFRAs)
- Introduce weather reconnaissance areas
- Introduce aircraft hazard areas
- Introduce Other airspace requirements, limitations, and chart symbology
- Part 11, Special Procedures:
- Part 12, Review Equipment:
- Briefly introduce the purpose and function of a transponder (discussed fully in operation of systems lesson plan).
- Briefly introduce the purpose and function of a Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipment (discussed fully in operation of systems lesson plan).
- Briefly introduce Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) airspace (discussed fully in radio communications, navigation systems/Facilities, and radar services lesson plans)
- Part 13, conduct guided scenario
- Part 14, 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) National Airspace System Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Lesson Plan Guided Scenario
- Chose a random series of courses across a sectional, crossing different types and classes of airspace
- Assume a pilot is flying each leg
- Discuss entry requirements
- Discuss equipment requirements
- Discuss radio procedures, as appropriate
- Discuss VFR weather minimums to operate
- Ask the student how to communicate with FSS while enroute
- Point out symbols across the route and have the student interpret
- Discuss how to find special use airspace, especially temporary flight restrictions, and then demonstrate finding examples.
- Related scenarios:
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Lesson Plan Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Complete or review AOPA's Online Learning Course - Know Before You Go: Navigating Today's Airspace
- Ask pertinent questions
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate
- Complete Special Awareness Training
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with National Airspace System (NAS) operations under VFR as a private pilot
- References: 14 CFR parts 71, 91, 93; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); VFR Navigation Charts
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:-
PA.I.E.K1:
Airspace classes and associated requirements and limitations. -
PA.I.E.K2:
Chart symbols. -
PA.I.E.K3:
Special use airspace (SUA), special flight rules areas (SFRA), temporary flight restrictions (TFR), and other airspace areas. -
PA.I.E.K4:
Special visual flight rules (VFR) requirements.
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:-
PA.I.E.R1:
Various classes and types of airspace.
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:-
PA.I.E.S1:
Identify and comply with the requirements for basic VFR weather minimums and flying in particular classes of airspace. -
PA.I.E.S2:
Correctly identify airspace and operate in accordance with associated communication and equipment requirements. -
PA.I.E.S3:
Identify the requirements for operating in SUA or within a TFR. Identify and comply with special air traffic rules (SATR) and SFRA operations, if applicable.
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System 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