Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Aeronautical Decision Making Lesson Plan

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems • ACS Area V, Task D

The Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Aeronautical Decision-Making Lesson Plan determine that the applicant is knowledgeable in aeronautical decision-making.

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Aeronautical Decision Making Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
    0:05
    Part 2, Aeronautical Decision-Making:
    0:10
    Part 3, Aeronautical Decision-Making Risk Management:
    0:10
    Part 4, Aeronautical Decision-Making Guided Scenario(s):
    0:15
    Part 5, Conclude Lesson:
    0:10
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Research and present a mishap case study:
      • Ask the learner to describe prior knowledge or experience related to aeronautical decision making.
    • 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:

    • Explain how proficiency in aeronautical decision making supports safe and effective flight operations.

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Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Aeronautical Decision Making Lesson Plan

Materials

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Aeronautical Decision Making Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
  • Part 2, Aeronautical Decision-Making:
    • Explain and assess the essential knowledge and procedures associated with aeronautical decision making.
  • Part 3, Aeronautical Decision-Making Risk Management:
    • Introduce collision hazards.
    • Introduce low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin and controlled flight into terrain risks.
    • Introduce distractions, task prioritization, situational awareness, and disorientation. (UA.V.D.K3)
    • Introduce runway incursion risks.
    • Approved syllabus objective coverage:
      • Teach closed-loop team communication, standard terminology, acknowledgement, challenge-and-response, and escalation when a crewmember identifies an unsafe condition. (UA.V.D.K1a)
      • Teach task prioritization, workload distribution, interruption management, and transfer of responsibilities during normal and abnormal operations. (UA.V.D.K1b)
      • Apply Crew Resource Management to remote PIC, person manipulating the controls, visual observer, client, and other participants, including authority, briefings, workload, and communication. (UA.V.D.K2)
      • Have the learner identify hazardous attitudes in realistic mission decisions, state the appropriate antidotes, and explain how those antidotes change the decision. (UA.V.D.K4)
      • Use a structured process to identify hazards, assess likelihood and severity, select controls, determine residual risk, and establish launch and termination criteria. (UA.V.D.K5)
  • Part 4, Aeronautical Decision-Making Guided Scenario(s):
    • Use a commercial mission with schedule pressure, changing weather, a fatigued crewmember, and an emerging ground hazard; require the remote PIC to apply risk-management tools, assign duties, communicate decisions, and establish termination criteria.
  • Part 5, Conclude Lesson:
    • Relate lesson to power-on stalls.
    • 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 instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Aeronautical Decision Making Lesson Plan

Interactive Guided Scenario

Interactive Guided Scenario

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Decision 1
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Scenario Complete

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Aeronautical Decision Making Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Aeronautical Decision Making Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Aeronautical Decision Making Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 5 ACS Elements
  • UA.V.D.K1:
    Aeronautical decision-making (ADM)
    • UA.V.D.K1a:
      Effective team communication
    • UA.V.D.K1b:
      Task management
  • UA.V.D.K2:
    Crew Resource Management (CRM)
  • UA.V.D.K3:
    Situational awareness
  • UA.V.D.K4:
    Hazardous attitudes
  • UA.V.D.K5:
    Hazard identification and risk assessment
Risk Management 1 ACS Element
  • :

    NA:

    Reserved.
Skills 1 ACS Element
  • :

    NA:

    Not Applicable.
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Aeronautical Decision Making Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Aeronautical Decision Making builds the knowledge and disciplined operating habits remote pilots need to conduct safe, compliant small UAS missions.
    • Understanding how aircraft limitations, weather, airspace, people, and mission objectives interact helps remote pilots recognize hazards before launch and respond as conditions change.
    • Consistent inspections, crew coordination, communication, situational awareness, and aeronautical decision-making turn regulatory knowledge into dependable operational performance.
    • Continued scenario-based practice with Aeronautical Decision Making prepares remote pilots for more complex missions and reinforces the judgment expected in later training and real-world operations.

  • Closure:

    • The 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.