Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Maintenance & Inspection Procedures Lesson Plan
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems • ACS Area V, Task F
The Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Maintenance and Inspection Procedures Lesson Plan determine that the applicant is knowledgeable in sUAS maintenance and inspection procedures.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Part 1, Introduce the lesson:0:05Part 2, Maintenance and Inspection Procedures:0:10Part 3, Maintenance and Inspection Procedures Risk Management:0:10Part 4, Maintenance and Inspection Procedures Guided Scenario(s):0:15Part 5, Conclude Lesson:0:10Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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Attention Getter:
- Research and present a mishap case study:
- Ask the learner to describe prior knowledge or experience related to maintenance and inspection procedures.
- 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.
- Research and present a mishap case study:
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Motivator:
- Explain how proficiency in maintenance and inspection procedures supports safe and effective flight operations.
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:
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Takeoff and Climb Supplement.
- Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance Supplement.
- Flight Deck Management Supplement.
- Taxiing Supplement.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Remote Pilot - Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide.
- Test-taking Guidance.
- Test Guides.
- The Checkride Supplement.
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 (ACS).
- Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of soft/rough field takeoff and climb.
- Part 2, Maintenance and Inspection Procedures:
- Explain and assess the essential knowledge and procedures associated with maintenance and inspection procedures.
- Part 3, Maintenance and Inspection Procedures Risk Management:
- Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of collision hazards.
- Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin and controlled flight into terrain risks.
- Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of distractions, task prioritization, situational awareness, and disorientation.
- Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of runway incursion risks.
- Approved syllabus objective coverage:
- Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain manufacturer-directed inspection, cleaning, firmware control, component replacement, calibration, battery care, storage, and limits on owner-performed maintenance. (UA.V.F.K1)
- Perform a systematic preflight inspection of the aircraft, control station, command-and-control link, propulsion, power, payload, firmware, navigation, and required accessories. (UA.V.F.K2)
- Use component-life tracking, condition inspection, redundancy where available, secure mounting and connections, battery health checks, software configuration control, and operational limits to mitigate mechanical failures. (UA.V.F.K3)
- Maintain records sufficient to establish aircraft status, inspections, discrepancies, repairs, component life, firmware or configuration changes, and return-to-service decisions. (UA.V.F.K4)
- Explain who may perform maintenance on an sUAS. (UA.V.F.K5)
- Inspect anti-collision lighting, orientation cues, control-station brightness, batteries, visual-observer equipment, site lighting, and night-specific hazards before night operations. (UA.V.F.K6)
- Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain how a manufacturer's Declaration of Compliance supports Category 2 and 3 eligibility and how maintenance or modification can affect that eligibility. (UA.V.F.K7)
- Part 4, Maintenance and Inspection Procedures Guided Scenario(s):
- Provide an aircraft with a questionable battery, damaged propeller, firmware notice, and incomplete records; require the learner to inspect, document, troubleshoot within authorized limits, and determine whether the aircraft is airworthy for the proposed day or night operation.
- 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 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.
Interactive Guided Scenario
The Fleet Aircraft With an Intermittent Vibration
Return a frequently used mapping drone to service while incomplete records, field damage, firmware changes, and a vibration trend challenge airworthiness decisions.
Decision 1
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Scenario Complete
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.
Airman Certification Standards
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Maintenance & Inspection Procedures Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine that the applicant is knowledgeable in sUAS maintenance and inspection procedures.
- References: AC 107-2; FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); FAA-G-8082-22 (Remote Pilot - Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide).
Knowledge 7 ACS Elements
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UA.V.F.K1: Basic maintenance -
UA.V.F.K2: Preflight inspection -
UA.V.F.K3: Techniques to mitigate mechanical failures of all elements used in sUAS operations such as the battery and any device(s) used to operate the sUAS -
UA.V.F.K4: Appropriate record keeping -
UA.V.F.K5: Persons that may perform maintenance on an sUAS -
UA.V.F.K6: Preflight inspection for night operations -
UA.V.F.K7: Manufacturer's Declaration of Compliance for Category 2 and 3 operations
Risk Management 1 ACS Element
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NA: Reserved.
Skills 1 ACS Element
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NA: Not Applicable.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Maintenance and Inspection Procedures builds the knowledge and disciplined operating habits remote pilots need to conduct safe, compliant small UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) 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 Maintenance and Inspection Procedures prepares remote pilots for more complex missions and reinforces the judgment expected in later training and real-world operations.
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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.