Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with maneuvering during slow flight in cruise configuration.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan Introduction
-
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.
-
Motivator:
- Slow flight develops the ability to recognize changes in aircraft flight characteristics and control effectiveness at critically slow airspeeds in various configurations
- While pilots may perform slow flight to loiter over an area during cruise flight, it is most often performed incidental to takeoff and landing
- With multi-engine aircraft the concept of minimum controllable airspeed comes into play
- Speed Instability:
- Flying slower than minimum drag speed (LD/max), more power will be required, due to total drag curve and slight disturbances will decrease airspeed
Private Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan Materials
-
Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Weight and Balance worksheet.
- Pilot Information/Operating Handbook.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
-
Optional Materials:
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- Instructor endorsement log.
-
Reference Materials:
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 93.
- Aeronautical Information Manual.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- 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) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention-getter and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Introduce maneuvering during slow flight.
- Part 2, Factors Impacting Takeoff Performance:
- Review the cause of stalls and what factors increase/decrease stall speed (AoA)
- Discuss maneuvering during slow flight
- Discuss region of reverse command
- Discuss small airplane specifics
- Discuss large airplane specifics
- Discuss multi-engine considerations during slow flight
- Part 3, Maneuvering During Slow Flight Procedure:
- Part 4, Safety:
- Introduce collision hazards.
- Introduce low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin and controlled flight into terrain risks.
- Introduce distractions, task prioritization, situational awareness, and disorientation.
- Introduce runway incursion risks.
- Part 5, Guided Scenario:
- Part 6, Conclude Lesson:
- Discuss risk management: Is this procedure low, medium, or high risk?
- Disucss calculated versus actual performance.
- Relate lesson to power-on stalls.
- 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) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan Guided Scenario(s)
Private Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- 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) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with maneuvering during slow flight in cruise configuration
- Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task
- References: 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) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:-
PA.VII.A.K1:
Aerodynamics associated with stalls in various airplane configurations, including the relationship between angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power setting, airplane weight and center of gravity, airplane attitude, and yaw effects.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:-
PA.VII.A.R1:
Inadvertent slow flight and flight with a stall warning, which could lead to loss of control. -
PA.VII.A.R2:
Range and limitations of stall warning indicators (e.g., airplane buffet, stall horn, etc.). -
PA.VII.A.R3:
Uncoordinated flight. -
PA.VII.A.R4:
Effect of environmental elements on airplane performance (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and high-density altitude). -
PA.VII.A.R5:
Collision hazards. -
PA.VII.A.R6:
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:-
PA.VII.A.S1:
Clear the area. -
PA.VII.A.S2:
Select an entry altitude that allows the Task to be completed no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL) (ASEL, ASES) or 3,000 feet AGL (AMEL, AMES). -
PA.VII.A.S3:
Establish and maintain an airspeed at which any further increase in angle of attack, increase in load factor, or reduction in power, would result in a stall warning (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.). -
PA.VII.A.S4:
Accomplish coordinated straight-and-level flight, turns, climbs, and descents with the aircraft configured as specified by the evaluator without a stall warning (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.). -
PA.VII.A.S5:
Maintain the specified altitude, ±100 feet; specified heading, ±10°; airspeed, +10/-0 knots; and specified angle of bank, ±10°.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan Conclusion
-
Re-Motivation:
-
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.