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.
Attention
Attention
- 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
Motivator
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
Overview
Overview
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 Guided Scenario:
0:20
Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:
0:05
Remotivation/Closure:
0:05
Total Ground Time:
1:25
Materials
Materials
- 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.
- Optional Materials:
Instructor Actions
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
- 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
- Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
- Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
Taxiing Guided Scenario(s)
Taxiing 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
Student Actions
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
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.
-
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.
Re-Motivation
Re-Motivation
Closure
Closure
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson
- Assign study materials for the next lesson
Reference Materials
Reference Materials
- Aircraft Categories and Classes Supplement.
- Pilot Certificates and Ratings Supplement.
- Pilot Logbooks Supplement.
- 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.
- The FAA provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
- To learn more about earning the practical test, visit the checkride page.