Private Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing Lesson Plan

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

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 Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Preflight Considerations:
    0:15
    Part 3, Taxiing Considerations:
    0:15
    Part 4, Taxiing Procedures:
    0:15
    Part 5, Taxiing Risk Management:
    0:20
    Part 6, Taxiing Guided Scenario(s):
    0:20
    Part 7, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

  • 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.

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Private Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing Lesson Plan

Materials

Private Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Review the maneuver's common errors and assess the learner's understanding of their mitigations.
  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Preflight Considerations:
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of Chart Supplement, U.S., as it pertains to taxiing.
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of Airport Diagrams, as it pertains to taxiing, including hot spots.
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of Notices to Airmen, as they pertain to taxiing.
  • Part 3, Taxiing Considerations:
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of current NOTAMs and charted Hot Spots; trace the assigned taxi route, identify each clearance limit and runway crossing, and request progressive taxi when uncertain.
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of windsock, wind-tee, tetrahedron, and segmented-circle indications and their limitations.
    • Introduce runway holding-position signs and markings, airport lighting, and the different information conveyed by each; require the student to distinguish a visual cue from permission to proceed.
    • Introduce mandatory-instruction, location, direction, destination, information, and no-entry signs; runway and ILS (Instrument Landing System) holding-position markings; movement-area boundaries; runway/taxiway marking colors; and closed-surface markings. Require the student to use each cue without treating it as an ATC clearance.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply taxi fundamentals operating practices.
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of taxiing operations at night.
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of low visibility taxi operations. (PA.II.D.K6e)
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of airport markings, signs, airport lighting, including runway status lighting systems.
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of visual indicators for wind. (PA.II.D.K4)
    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain aircraft lighting, as it pertains to taxiing.
  • Part 4, Taxiing Procedures:
    • Locate and apply current Chart Supplement airport entries, airport diagrams, NOTAMs, taxi routes, and Hot Spots; prepare before movement and maintain position awareness during taxi. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.II.D.K1; PA.II.D.K6; PA.II.D.K6a; PA.II.D.S2)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain towered and nontowered radio procedures, interpret taxi instructions and clearance limits, and observe correct receipt and readback without treating a traffic advisory as a clearance. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.II.D.K2; PA.II.D.K6b; PA.II.D.S1)
    • Distinguish windsock and wind-tee wind indications from a tetrahedron landing-direction indication; explain their limitations. (PA.II.D.K4)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain aircraft-specific exterior lighting use during taxi, including conspicuity and avoiding glare to others. (PA.II.D.K5)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain and observe runway-entry and crossing authorization, markings, signals, and hold-line positioning; remain clear and resolve conflicting identity, clearance, stop-bar, or runway-entrance-light indications before entry. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.II.D.K3; PA.II.D.K6c; PA.II.D.S7; PA.II.D.S8)
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of night ramp inspection, route and lighting preparation, reduced visual cues, and conservative taxi technique. (PA.II.D.K6d)
    • Assess distraction hazards and complete nonessential flight-deck tasks before taxi or stop safely before prolonged heads-down work. (PA.II.D.R1)
    • Assess expectation bias and incursion hazards; cross-check runway identity, position, and authorization, and stop to resolve uncertainty rather than following an expected route. (PA.II.D.R2; PA.II.D.R4)
    • Assess a changed taxi route or departure runway and rebrief routing, clearance limits, runway suitability, and departure plans before proceeding. (PA.II.D.R3)
    • Observe wind-appropriate flight controls, checklist use, an immediate moving brake check, and positive direction and speed control without excessive braking; identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.II.D.S3; PA.II.D.S4; PA.II.D.S5; PA.II.D.S6)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply taxi checklists.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply clearance requirements.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply taxi procedures.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply steering and braking.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply wind impacts on taxi.
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of radio procedures for towered and non-towered airports.
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of confirmation/expectation bias.
  • Part 5, Taxiing Risk Management:
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply conservative taxi speed, glare avoidance, route and runway verification, explicit crossing authorization, and stopping before prolonged heads-down tasks; reassess clearances and departure plans after a change or loss of position certainty.
    • Give the student a taxi clearance followed by a route or departure-runway change while a distraction is introduced. Require the student to stop if necessary, verify position and runway identity, read back and trace the amended route, identify all hold-short and crossing restrictions, and proceed only after uncertainty is resolved.
  • Part 6, Taxiing Guided Scenario(s).
  • Part 7, 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 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) Taxiing 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 Airmen (NOTAMS) provide regarding taxi operations?
    • Highlight hot spots.
  • Provide a simulated taxi clearance that includes turns, crossing/holding short of runways, etc. Simulated 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 (ATC) 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 taxiway identification and runway identification.
  • Discuss airport lighting for night operations.
  • Discuss procedures and mitigations during low visibility taxi operations.
  • Discuss checklist usage before, during, and after taxiing.
  • Discuss distractions, unexpected instructions/changes, expectation bias, and what constitutes a runway incursion. (PA.II.D.R4)
  • Related scenarios:
    • Night Operations.
  • Aids: None.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 6 ACS Elements
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
Skills 8 ACS Elements
Private Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Taxiing 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 Taxiing 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.