Private Pilot (Airplane)
Taxiing Lesson Plan
The Private Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with taxi operations, including runway incursion avoidance.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL) 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:
- Having just started the aircraft and completed the required checklists, the pilot is ready to put the aircraft in motion.
- Taxiing is that movement of an aircraft while on the ground, under its own power.
- Taxiing is accomplished primarily through the use of the rudder and brakes however, pilots are also required to mitigate the impacts of wind.
- Since movement on an airport's surface involves coordination, clearances requirements/coordination are required to operate.
- With the basics in mind, pilots execute Taxi Procedures as they move about an airport's surface area.
- While the movement of the aircraft is our primary concern, there remain some checklist items we must accomplish to prepare/close-out an operation.
- Finally, while taxiing seems straight forward, it can also be an art, with best practices that can help pilots.
- Once your engine has started you must be aware of what you're doing and keep a visual scan, your "flight" has begun.
- It may be required initially to tow the aircraft before engines are started to be safe.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL) Lesson Plan Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Chart Supplement U.S.
- Airport Diagram.
- Internet-enabled device (to review NOTAMS).
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
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Reference Materials:
- Advisory Circular 91-73.
- Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM).
- Chart Supplements.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- POH/AFM.
- 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) Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL) 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, Preflight Considerations:
- Introduce Chart Supplement, U.S., as it pertains to taxiing.
- Introduce Airport Diagrams, as it pertains to taxiing, including hot spots.
- Introduce Notice to Airman, as it pertains to taxiing.
- Part 3, Taxiing Considerations:
- Discuss taxi fundamentals operating practices.
- Introduce taxiing operations at night.
- Introduce low visibility taxi operations.
- Introduce airport markings, signs, airport lighting, including runway status lighting systems.
- Introduce visual indicators for wind.
- Review aircraft lighting, as it pertains to taxiing.
- Part 4, Taxiing Procedures:
- Discuss taxi checklists.
- Discuss clearance requirements.
- Discuss taxi procedures.
- Discuss steering and braking.
- Discuss wind impacts on taxi.
- Introduce radio procedures for towered and non-towered airports.
- Introduce confirmation/expectation bias.
- Part 5, Taxiing Guided Scenario(s).
- Part 6, 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) Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL) Lesson Plan Guided Scenario(s)
- Have student find an airport diagram of a local airport
- Review the airport diagram symbology.
- What information does the Chart Supplement provide regarding taxi operations?
- What information do Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMS) provide regarding taxi operations?
- Highlight hot spots.
- Provide a simulated taxi clearance that includes turns, crossing/holding short of runways, etc. Simulatec taxi clearance should cover taxiing to an active runway as well as from (post-landing).
- What radio calls are required to comply with the air traffic control clearance?
- Provide environmentals such as wind.
- How would a pilot determine wind direction and speed while on the airport, utilizing visual and non-visual means?
- Who has the right-of-way at an intersection (towered/non-towered airports).
- How will flight controls change in turns relative to the environmentals provided?
- Have the student describe the anticipated markings and signs related to taxiiway identification and runway identification.
- Discuss airport lighting for night operations.
- Discuss procedures and mitigations during low visibility taxi operations.
- Discuss checklist useage before, during, and after taxiing.
- Discuss distractions, unexpected instructions/changes, expectation bias, and what constitutes a runway incursion.
- Related scenarios:
- Night Operations.
- Aids: None.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL) Lesson Plan Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Complete or review AOPA's Online Learning Course - Runway Safety.
- 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) Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL) Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with taxi operations, including runway incursion avoidance.
- References: AC 91-73; 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); POH/AFM.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL) Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:-
PA.II.D.K1:
Current airport aeronautical references and information resources such as the Chart Supplement, Airport diagram, and Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs). -
PA.II.D.K2:
Taxi instructions/clearances. -
PA.II.D.K3:
Airport markings, signs, and lights. -
PA.II.D.K4:
Visual indicators for wind. -
PA.II.D.K5:
Aircraft lighting, as appropriate. -
PA.II.D.K6:
Procedures for:-
PA.II.D.K6a:
Appropriate flight deck activities prior to taxi, including route planning and identifying the location of Hot Spots. -
PA.II.D.K6b:
Radio communications at towered and nontowered airports. -
PA.II.D.K6c:
Entering or crossing runways. -
PA.II.D.K6d:
Night taxi operations. -
PA.II.D.K6e:
Low visibility taxi operations.
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Private Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL) Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:-
PA.II.D.R1:
Activities and distractions. -
PA.II.D.R2:
Confirmation or expectation bias as related to taxi instructions. -
PA.II.D.R3:
A taxi route or departure runway change. -
PA.II.D.R4:
Runway incursion.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL) Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:-
PA.II.D.S1:
Receive and correctly read back clearances/instructions, if applicable. -
PA.II.D.S2:
Use an Airport diagram or taxi chart during taxi, if published, and maintain situational awareness. -
PA.II.D.S3:
Position the flight controls for the existing wind, if applicable. -
PA.II.D.S4:
Complete the appropriate checklist(s). -
PA.II.D.S5:
Perform a brake check immediately after the airplane begins moving. -
PA.II.D.S6:
Maintain positive control of the airplane during ground operations by controlling direction and speed without excessive use of brakes. -
PA.II.D.S7:
Comply with airport/taxiway markings, signals, and Air Traffic Control (ATC) clearances and instructions. -
PA.II.D.S8:
Position the airplane properly relative to hold lines.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL) Lesson Plan Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
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Closure:
- The FAA provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
- To learn more about earning 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.