Private Pilot (Airplane) Performance & Limitations Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area I, Task F

The Private Pilot (Airplane) Performance and Limitations Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with operating an airplane safely within the parameters of its performance capabilities and limitations.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Performance & Limitations Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Aerodynamics:
    0:20
    Part 3, Performance Calculations:
    0:20
    Part 4, Performance Factors:
    0:15
    Part 5, Performance and Limitations Risk Management:
    0:15
    Part 6, Performance and Limitations Guided Scenario(s):
    0:20
    Part 7, 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:

    • Aerodynamics is the branch of dynamics dealing with the motion of air and other gases, which gives us the performance we need to fly.
    • Every flight is influenced by the relationship between the aircraft, the atmosphere, and the pilot's decisions.
      • It begins with understanding why an airplane flies, continues with recognizing how aerodynamic forces influence aircraft behavior, and eventually leads to applying that knowledge during flight planning.
      • Along the way, pilots must also consider how the atmosphere changes aircraft performance and learn to interpret performance information before and during every flight.
    • Understanding why an airplane flies, how it responds to changing conditions, and what limits its performance helps pilots make informed decisions long before advancing the throttle or leaving the runway.

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Private Pilot (Airplane) Performance & Limitations Lesson Plan

Materials

Private Pilot (Airplane) Performance & Limitations Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Aerodynamics:
    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain lift, weight, thrust, drag, and their interaction; define angle of attack using chord and relative wind and distinguish its in-flight variation from fixed design angles. (PA.I.F.K3)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain torque reaction and associated roll direction for the specified propeller rotation; identify operating conditions that amplify left-turning tendencies.
    • Principles of Flight
      • Introduce Lift, including AOA (angle of attack).
        • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply Newton's Laws, Bernoulli's Principle.
        • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply lift in relation to the lift formula.
        • Emphasize AoA is the angle between RW and Chord, center of lift/pressure, and how it is agnostic to aircraft orientation.
        • Elicit prior knowledge about lift, then have the learner explain how pilots control it.
      • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of weight.
      • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of thrust.
      • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of drag.
      • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of ground effect.
    • Use a concrete example, then have the learner describe the interaction of forces.
  • Part 3, Performance Calculations:
    • Have the student select and use aircraft-specific performance charts, tables, and data for a proposed flight; verify assumptions, units, inputs, configuration, and interpolation, and correct errors to ACS standards. (PA.I.F.K1; PA.I.F.S2)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain how weight affects maneuvering speed and the control-input limitations of its protection; use aircraft-specific guidance rather than treating VA as protection from every combination of loads.
    • Define density altitude and equivalent air density; explain pressure, temperature, and humidity effects and apply density altitude to aircraft performance planning.
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain high-density-altitude effects on engine output, propeller thrust, lift, and drag, identifying what is held constant in each comparison; relate the combined effects to takeoff and climb performance.
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of Temperature Conversion.
    • Introduce turn performance:
    • Introduce stall performance:
    • Introduce takeoff performance.
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of climb performance.
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of rate of climb.
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of descent performance.
    • Introduce landing performance.
      • Normal landing.
      • Crosswind landing.
      • Short-field landing.
      • Soft-field landing.
      • Confined area approach and landing.
    • Temperature conversion.
    • Pressure Altitude.
    • Density Altitude.
    • Determining Climb Gradient.
    • Determining Rate-of-Climb Requirements.
    • Maneuvering Speed.
    • Rate of Turn.
    • Overbank Acceleration.
    • Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA).
  • Part 4, Performance Factors:
    • Have the student apply atmospheric conditions, pilot technique, airplane configuration, airport environment, and aircraft loading to the proposed flight's performance and limitations. (PA.I.F.K2; PA.I.F.K2a; PA.I.F.K2c; PA.I.F.K2d; PA.I.F.K2e)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain weight-and-balance terms, including standard empty-weight components, loading, and CG effects; use the aircraft's actual records and appropriate conventions.
    • Observe the student compute weight and balance, correct out-of-CG loading, and verify limits through every flight phase, including fuel use; identify and correct calculation or loading errors to ACS standards. (PA.I.F.S1)
    • Weight and Balance. (PA.I.F.K2f)
      • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of Center of Gravity.
      • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of effects of a foreward and aft center of gravity (CG).
      • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of multiengine considerations, as applicable.
    • Introduce aircraft stability.
    • Elicit prior knowledge about configuration changes, then have the learner explain their performance effects, including retractable landing gear, high-lift devices, spoilers/speed brakes, and propeller feathering.
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of wing planform, including aspect ratio and wing design.
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of factors impacting descent performance and landing performance.
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of pilot technique considerations. (PA.I.F.K2b)
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of performance limitations in PoH.
  • Part 5, Performance and Limitations Risk Management:
    • Assess hazards from wrong charts, unsupported extrapolation, incorrect inputs, units, or assumptions; justify verified data, independent checks, and conservative planning margins. (PA.I.F.R1)
    • Assess hazards of exceeding aircraft limitations; locate the controlling limitations and select a compliant loading, configuration, route, or operating plan. (PA.I.F.R2)
    • Compare calculated with actual performance considering technique, aircraft condition, surface, and environmental variability; establish margins and decision points and change or discontinue an inadequate plan.
  • Part 6, Performance and Limitations Guided Scenario(s):
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of a weight & balance calculation.
    • Takeoff & Climb Performance
      • Demonstrate a takeoff distance calculation for each type of takeoff chart provided.
      • Demonstrate an aborted takeoff calculation (if provided).
      • Demonstrate a time/distance/fuel for a top of climb, climb gradient required, and rate of climb requirements.
        • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply the factors which impact climb performance, including best angle/rate-of-climb.
    • Cruise Performance.
      • Demonstrate a time/distance/fuel calculation.
      • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply factors accounted for on the chart and those not explicitly mentioned which impact cruise performance.
    • Demonstrate a descent calculation.
    • Demonstrate a landing distance calculation for each type of landing chart provided.
    • Introduce Turn Performance.
      • Rate and Radius of Turns.
      • Coordination Throughout Turns.
      • Aircraft Performance While Turning (Adverse Yaw [drag], Yaw against the direction of turn [lift], diving tendency, over-banking tendency, oncreased stall speed).
    • Stall Performance.
    • Glide Performance.
    • Descent and landing Performance
      • Demonstrate a landing distance calculation.
      • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply various factors accounted for on the chart and those not explicitly mentioned which impact descent and landing performance.
    • Conduct a weight and balance configuration.
  • Part 7, Lesson Conclusion:
  • 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) Performance & Limitations Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

Performance Calculations Interactive Scenario

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Scenario Complete

  • What happens to the AOA if while in straight-and-level flight, a pilot pushes forward on the control stick, pulls backward?
  • What happens to the AOA if while in straight-and-level flight, a pilot pushes forward on the throttle? pulls backward?
  • What factors can the pilot control to change the amount of lift an aircraft has? Weight? Thrust? Drag?
  • The pilot is ready to taxi, applying power to start moving.
    • What must the pilot do with the power after the aircraft starts moving?
    • What principle requires the pilot to change the power setting?
  • After completing a weight and balance, the pilot realizes the aircraft is within tolerance, but the center of gravity tends aft.
    • How should the pilot expect stall speed to change? What if the center of gravity tends forward?
    • Why does a heavy aircraft requires more takeoff distance? Can a pilot do anything to shorten this disance? If so, what? and at what cost?
  • Before the next flight, the pilot realizes they need more cargo space and wish to remove the back seats.
    • Is this permitted and if so, by whom?
    • What are the follow-on weight and balance requirements if so?
  • The pilot mounts a weather radar pod on the wing, what type of drag can be expected?
    • The interaction between the pod and the natural form of the wing is considered what kind of drag?
    • The wing it is mounted has several imperfections, rivets, etc. what kind of drag is characterized by these features?
    • What sort of performance changes would be expected by such a modification?
  • As an aircraft is accelerating down the runway, it is actually increasing it's drag, how is this possible?
  • While in the traffic pattern, the pilot finds themselves "behind the power curve." what does this mean?
  • While landing, the pilot experiences what feels like a cushion of air beneath the wings. What is this phenomena?
    • When could the pilot expect to feel this cushion?
    • What is causing this anomaly?
  • What forces are changing when a pilot initiates a climb (or descent)?
    • What is the relationship between forces as the pilot establishes steady-state climb (or descent)?
  • How can a pilot increase/decrease rate and radius of turn to hit a specific reference? (relate to a car, as required).
Private Pilot (Airplane) Performance & Limitations Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Performance & Limitations Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Performance & Limitations Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
Skills 2 ACS Elements
  • PA.I.F.S1:
    Compute the weight and balance, correct out-of-CG loading errors and determine if the weight and balance remains within limits during all phases of flight.
  • PA.I.F.S2:
    Use the appropriate airplane performance charts, tables, and data.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Performance & Limitations Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Performance and Limitations helps pilots translate aircraft data, limitations, and system knowledge into decisions that preserve safe operating margins.
    • Understanding how configuration, loading, environment, and equipment condition affect performance enables pilots to identify unacceptable combinations before flight.
    • Verifying calculations, monitoring actual performance, and responding early to unexpected indications connect technical knowledge with sound aeronautical decision-making.
    • Further exploration of Performance and Limitations prepares private pilots to evaluate more complex aircraft and operating conditions with confidence.

  • Closure:

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