Private Pilot (Airplane) Confined Area Approach & Landing Lesson Plan
The Private Pilot (Airplane) Confined Area Approach and Landing Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with soft-field takeoff, climb operations, and rejected takeoff procedures.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Confined Area Approach & Landing Lesson Plan Introduction
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Schedule:
Topic:Time:Part 1, Introduction:0:05Part 2, Confined Area Approach and Landing:0:10Part 3, Confined Area Approach and Landing Risk Management:0:10Part 4, Confined Area Approach and Landing Guided Scenario(s):0:15Part 5, Conclude Lesson:0:10Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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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:
- More austere and even urban airport environments require obstacle negotiation
Private Pilot (Airplane) Confined Area Approach & Landing Lesson Plan Materials
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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.
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Optional Materials:
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- Instructor endorsement log.
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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) Confined Area Approach & Landing Lesson Plan Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Introduce soft/rough field takeoff and climb.
- Part 2, Confined Area Approach and Landing:
- Discuss confined area Approach and Landing
- Baseline the discussion by reviewing stabilized approach concepts and energy management.
- Discuss selecting an appropriate approach path and touchdown point based on aircraft performance, obstacles, and available landing distance.
- Discuss effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, crosswind, tailwind, and windshear.
- Discuss wind correction techniques required to maintain runway alignment and proper ground track.
- Discuss obstacle clearance planning and approach angle considerations.
- Introduce short-field and obstacle clearance techniques as they relate to confined areas.
- Discuss planning for a go-around and when it must be executed.
- Discuss risks associated with distractions, task prioritization, and loss of situational awareness.
- Discuss collision hazards and traffic considerations in confined environments.
- Discuss risks of low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, and controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
- Demonstrate establishing proper approach configuration, airspeed, and trim for a stabilized approach.
- Emphasize maintaining recommended approach airspeed and adjusting for gust factors.
- Discuss maintaining directional control and crosswind correction throughout approach and landing.
- Discuss selecting and maintaining a precise touchdown point.
- Emphasize smooth, timely control inputs during roundout, flare, and touchdown.
- Emphasize ACS skill flow: stabilized approach, obstacle clearance, precise touchdown, directional control, and timely go-around.
- Question the student on how to recognize an unstable approach and when to discontinue the landing.
- Part 3, Confined Area Approach and Landing Risk Management:
- Part 4, Confined Area Approach and Landing Guided Scenario(s):
- Present a realistic confined area landing scenario with obstacles, limited landing distance, and variable wind conditions.
- Require the student to select an approach path and touchdown point.
- Have the student verbalize wind corrections, airspeed targets, and configuration changes.
- Require the student to identify risks including obstacles, wind effects, and runway limitations.
- Introduce a changing condition (e.g., gusts or obstacle conflict) and require the student to decide whether to continue or go around.
- Require the student to explain go-around decision-making and execution criteria.
- Part 5, Conclude Lesson:
- 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) Confined Area Approach & Landing Lesson Plan Guided Scenario(s)
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- Related scenarios:
Private Pilot (Airplane) Confined Area Approach & Landing 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) Confined Area Approach & Landing Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with confined area approach and landing.
- References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-23 (Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); POH/AFM.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:-
PA.IV.H.K1:
A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts. -
PA.IV.H.K2:
Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance. -
PA.IV.H.K3:
Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:-
PA.IV.H.R1:
Selection of approach path and touchdown area based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, available distance, and wind. -
PA.IV.H.R2:
Effects of:-
PA.IV.H.R2a:
Crosswind. -
PA.IV.H.R2b:
Windshear. -
PA.IV.H.R2c:
Tailwind. -
PA.IV.H.R2d:
Wake turbulence. -
PA.IV.H.R2e:
Runway surface/condition.
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PA.IV.H.R3:
Planning for a go-around and rejected landing. -
PA.IV.H.R4:
Collision hazards. -
PA.IV.H.R5:
Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). -
PA.IV.H.R6:
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:-
PA.IV.H.S1:
Complete the appropriate checklist(s). -
PA.IV.H.S2:
Make radio calls as appropriate. -
PA.IV.H.S3:
Ensure the airplane is aligned for an approach to the correct/assigned landing surface. -
PA.IV.H.S4:
Scan the landing area for traffic and obstructions. -
PA.IV.H.S5:
Select and aim for a suitable touchdown point considering the wind, landing surface, and obstructions. -
PA.IV.H.S6:
Establish the recommended approach and landing configuration, airspeed, and trim, and adjust pitch attitude and power as required to maintain a stabilized approach. -
PA.IV.H.S7:
Maintain manufacturer's published approach airspeed or in its absence not more than 1.3 VSO, +10/-5 knots with gust factor applied. -
PA.IV.H.S8:
Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing. -
PA.IV.H.S9:
Make smooth, timely, and correct control application before, during, and after touchdown. -
PA.IV.H.S10:
Contact the water at the recommended airspeed with a proper pitch attitude for the surface conditions -
PA.IV.H.S11:
Touch down at a proper pitch attitude, within 200 feet beyond or on the specified point, with no side drift, minimum float, and with the airplane's longitudinal axis aligned with the projected landing path. -
PA.IV.H.S12:
Execute a timely go-around if the approach cannot be made within the tolerances specified above or for any other condition that may result in an unsafe approach or landing. -
PA.IV.H.S13:
Apply elevator control as necessary to stop in the shortest distance consistent with safety.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Confined Area Approach & Landing 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.