Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Starting Lesson Plan

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

The Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Starting Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with recommended engine starting procedures.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Starting Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Engine Starting Considerations:
    0:15
    Part 3, Engine Starting Anomalies & Malfunctions:
    0:15
    Part 4, Engine Starting Risk Management:
    0:20
    Part 5, Engine Starting Guided Scenario(s):
    0:20
    Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Research a 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:

    • Even though most airplanes are equipped with electric starters, it is helpful if a pilot is familiar with the procedures and dangers involved in starting an engine by turning the propeller by hand (hand propping).
    • Prior to starting jet, air intakes and the surrounding area shall be inspected to eliminate the possibility of Foreign Object Debris, or FOD.
    • Whenever an engine is started, personnel with adequate fire extinguishing equipment, if available, shall be stationed in the immediate vicinity of the engine but safely clear of intakes or propellers.
    • In starting an aircraft, all challenges and signals between the person operating the starting device and the person at the engine controls shall be clearly understood and so indicated by repetition before action is taken by either person.
    • Where the engines are started entirely from the cockpit, the person at the engine controls should exchange signals with a person observing the engine from outside the aircraft.

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Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Starting Lesson Plan

Materials

Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Starting Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Engine Starting Considerations:
    • Observe safe airplane positioning for wind, structures, other aircraft, persons, and property, and aircraft-specific start-checklist completion; identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.II.C.S1; PA.II.C.S2)
    • External-power starting and engine-starting limitations (PA.II.C.K2; PA.II.C.K3):
      • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain the purpose and limitations of external-power starting. Walk through the installed AFM/POH procedure from source selection to disconnection, and explain why an assisted start does not establish battery or charging-system airworthiness.
      • Verify approved source compatibility, voltage, polarity, connections, switch configuration, and the aircraft-specific starting procedure.
      • Coordinate and complete the published disconnection procedure; confirm the connector, leads, personnel, and equipment are clear before aircraft movement.
      • Check required post-start electrical indications and explain why an assisted start does not resolve an abnormal battery or charging condition.
      • Locate and explain the installed aircraft and starter limits for cranking duration, repeated attempts, cooling, battery condition, and post-start RPM, oil pressure, and warm-up. Distinguish these actual limits from illustrative exercise values.
      • Give the student a stated checklist limit and an unsuccessful-start or missing-oil-pressure situation. Require the student to decide whether to stop, wait, shut down, or investigate, and justify the answer from that limit. Include a maximum-attempt cooling exercise; do not treat example numbers as universal.
      • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain slow cranking and weak-battery considerations, required preheating, starter operating limits, and the hazards of continued cranking or a starter that remains engaged. External power does not waive limits or repair an unresolved fault.
      • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain duty-cycle and cooling requirements, including any different external-power instructions, then discuss prescribed initial RPM, oil-pressure timing, temperature, and warm-up restrictions. Do not use high RPM or unlimited warm-up to disregard an unmet oil-pressure limit.
    • Teach engine-starting knowledge and risk management using the installed AFM/POH and applicable supplements. (PA.II.C.K1; PA.II.C.K2; PA.II.C.K3; PA.II.C.K4; PA.II.C.R1)
      • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain aircraft-specific normal start configuration and sequence; do not transfer a memorized procedure from another airplane.
      • Verify propeller and blast-area clearance, warning and response, aircraft restraint, and control of initial engine speed.
      • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain cold-weather oil viscosity, fuel vaporization, battery performance, preheating, priming, oil-pressure checks, and warm-up limitations.
      • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain heat soak and the published hot-engine restart procedure, and distinguish a piston hot restart from a turbine overtemperature hot start.
      • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain excess fuel and flooding, the published flooded-start procedure, and the boundary between troubleshooting and the engine-fire-during-start checklist.
      • Recognize when an unsuccessful or abnormal start must be aborted and select the applicable checklist.
      • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain high-elevation starting and ground-leaning considerations and the separate requirement to establish the takeoff mixture.
      • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain slow cranking, battery condition, and starter operating limitations.
      • For external power, verify approved source compatibility, voltage, polarity, connection, switch sequence, and aircraft-specific starting procedure.
      • Coordinate the published disconnect procedure and verify all leads, equipment, and personnel are clear before movement.
      • Evaluate post-start electrical indications and resolve abnormal battery or charging conditions before flight.
      • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain starter duty-cycle and cooling limitations.
      • Recognize failure to obtain required oil pressure as an aborted-start condition requiring shutdown.
      • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain hand-propping hazards and prerequisites where applicable: trained and coordinated personnel, a competent person at the controls, agreed commands, reliable restraint, safe footing, and clear areas.
      • For multiengine airplanes, explain installation-specific start order, power-source availability, fuel selection, and switch arrangements.
      • For seaplanes, explain waterborne movement, wind and current, clearance, positioning, assistance, and restraint considerations.
      • Use diagrams, checklist walk-throughs, and the aligned approved knowledge questions. Do not award flight-skill completion from a quiz or deliberately induce flooding, fire, or equipment faults.
    • Engine Start-up Considerations.
    • Engine start-up performance factors and limitations.
    • Normal Starting Procedures.
    • Hand Propping.
    • Engine Run-up.
    • Engine Run-up Considerations.
    • Propeller safety.
  • Part 3, Engine Starting Anomalies & Malfunctions:
    • Safety Considerations.
    • Air start considerations.
    • Present unsuccessful, flooded, engine-fire-during-start, starter-engagement, and missing-oil-pressure indications. Have the student recognize when a start must be aborted, select the aircraft-specific checklist, and explain the immediate actions and limits without deliberately creating an unsafe condition. (PA.II.C.K4)
  • Part 4, Engine Starting Risk Management:
    • Have the student assess propeller, blast, movement, personnel, property, wind, restraint, and hand-propping hazards for the proposed start location; require appropriate positioning, clearing, communication, and checklist controls before authorizing the start. (PA.II.C.R1)
  • Part 5, Engine Start-up Guided Scenario(s).
  • 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 instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Starting Lesson Plan

Interactive Guided Scenario

Interactive Guided Scenario

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Scenario Complete

Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Starting Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Starting Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Starting Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
Risk Management 1 ACS Element
Skills 2 ACS Elements
  • PA.II.C.S1:
    Position the airplane properly considering structures, other aircraft, wind, and the safety of nearby persons and property.
  • PA.II.C.S2:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Starting Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Engine Starting reinforces that safe flight depends on disciplined preparation, positive aircraft control, and attention to detail before and after the airborne portion of a flight.
    • Checklists, clear communication, traffic awareness, configuration verification, and early recognition of discrepancies prevent routine ground tasks from creating avoidable hazards.
    • Managing distractions and continuously confirming aircraft position, condition, and readiness turn standard procedures into effective risk controls.
    • Continued practice with Engine Starting prepares private pilots for busier environments, unfamiliar aircraft, and more complex operations later in training.

  • Closure:

    • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
    • To learn more about preparing for the practical test, visit the checkride page.
    • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson.