Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Physiology Lesson Plan

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems • ACS Area V, Task E

The Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Physiology Lesson Plan determine that the applicant is knowledgeable in the physiological factors affecting remote pilot performance.

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Physiology Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
    0:05
    Part 2, Physiology:
    0:10
    Part 3, Physiology Risk Management:
    0:10
    Part 4, Physiology 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 physiology.
    • 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 physiology supports safe and effective flight operations.

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Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Physiology Lesson Plan

Materials

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Physiology Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
  • Part 2, Physiology:
    • Explain and assess the essential knowledge and procedures associated with physiology.
  • Part 3, Physiology 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.
    • Introduce runway incursion risks.
    • Approved syllabus objective coverage:
      • Explain how dehydration, heat illness, cold stress, hunger, illness, and prolonged posture degrade judgment, attention, coordination, and safe mission performance. (UA.V.E.K1)
      • Explain alcohol and drug impairment, residual effects, applicable prohibitions, and the need to remove an impaired crewmember from duty. (UA.V.E.K2)
      • Evaluate prescription and over-the-counter medication side effects, interactions, underlying conditions, and fitness for operational duty. (UA.V.E.K3)
      • Recognize hyperventilation causes and symptoms and apply controlled breathing, workload reduction, and removal from duty when symptoms persist. (UA.V.E.K4)
      • Recognize acute and chronic stress and fatigue, their performance effects, and mitigations including rest, scheduling, workload sharing, and mission cancellation. (UA.V.E.K5)
      • Explain visual acuity, adaptation, glare, contrast, blind spots, scanning, fixation, display use, and environmental factors that affect traffic and aircraft observation. (UA.V.E.K6)
      • Apply a structured fitness-for-duty self-assessment to the remote PIC and every required crewmember before and during the operation. (UA.V.E.K7)
      • Explain dark adaptation, reduced acuity and color perception, lighting discipline, fatigue, temperature, and visual-observer coordination during night operations. (UA.V.E.K8)
      • Recognize and mitigate autokinesis, false horizons, size-distance illusions, featureless terrain, and other night visual illusions. (UA.V.E.K9)
  • Part 4, Physiology Guided Scenario(s):
    • Give the remote PIC a hot-weather night mission after poor sleep and medication use; require recognition of fatigue, dehydration, heat stress, visual limitations, medication effects, and night illusions, followed by a defensible fitness-for-duty decision.
  • 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 Physiology Lesson Plan

Interactive Guided Scenario

Interactive Guided Scenario

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Scenario Complete

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Physiology Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Physiology Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Physiology Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 9 ACS Elements
  • UA.V.E.K1:
    Physiological considerations and their effects on safety such as dehydration and heatstroke
  • UA.V.E.K2:
    Drug and alcohol use.
  • UA.V.E.K3:
    Prescription and over-the-counter medication
  • UA.V.E.K4:
    Hyperventilation.
  • UA.V.E.K5:
    Stress and fatigue
  • UA.V.E.K6:
    Factors affecting vision.
  • UA.V.E.K7:
    Fitness for flight.
  • UA.V.E.K8:
    Physiological aspects of night operation
  • UA.V.E.K9:
    Night illusions.
Risk Management 1 ACS Element
  • :

    NA:

    Reserved.
Skills 1 ACS Element
  • :

    NA:

    Not Applicable.
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Physiology Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Physiology 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 Physiology 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.