Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operating Rules Lesson Plan

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems • ACS Area I, Task B

The Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operating Rules Lesson Plan determine that the applicant is knowledgeable of the operating rules of 14 CFR parts 89 and 107, the registration rules of 14 CFR parts 47 and 48, and other associated operating requirements.

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operating Rules Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

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

Help Us Grow

Enjoy CFI Notebook? A one-time donation helps us create more high-quality lessons, quizzes, scenarios, graphics, and interactive tools.

One-Time Donation
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operating Rules Lesson Plan

Materials

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operating Rules Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
  • Part 2, Operating Rules:
    • Explain and assess the essential knowledge and procedures associated with operating rules.
  • Part 3, Operating Rules 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:
      • Determine when registration is required and verify that the aircraft is properly registered and marked before operation. (UA.I.B.K1)
      • Conduct required preflight familiarization, inspection, crew briefing, site assessment, aircraft-status verification, and contingency planning. (UA.I.B.K20)
      • Apply the altitude, speed, visibility, cloud-clearance, visual-line-of-sight, right-of-way, operation-from-vehicle, and other applicable operating limitations. (UA.I.B.K21)
      • Explain Remote Pilot Certificate eligibility, privileges, limitations, possession, inspection, and recency requirements. (UA.I.B.K22)
      • Apply civil-twilight and night-operation lighting, training, visibility, and operational requirements to the proposed flight. (UA.I.B.K24)
      • Determine whether carriage of property complies with weight, hazardous-material, visual-line-of-sight, transportation, and compensation requirements. (UA.I.B.K26)
      • Identify medical or physiological conditions that could interfere with safe operation and remove an affected crewmember from duty. (UA.I.B.K3)
      • Explain when an object may be dropped without creating an undue hazard and evaluate the complete drop area and failure consequences. (UA.I.B.K6b)
      • Apply alcohol- and drug-use prohibitions, testing consequences, residual-impairment considerations, and conservative fitness-for-duty decisions. (UA.I.B.K8)
  • Part 4, Operating Rules Guided Scenario(s):
    • Present a proposed Part 107 mission involving twilight, property carriage, nearby people, changing weather, and a questionable crewmember condition; require the learner to identify every applicable operating rule and modify or reject the mission.
  • 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 Operating Rules Lesson Plan

Interactive Guided Scenario

Interactive Guided Scenario

Loading scenario details...

Loading...
Decision 1
0%

Scenario Complete

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operating Rules Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operating Rules Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operating Rules Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 28 ACS Elements
Risk Management 1 ACS Element
  • :

    NA:

    Reserved.
Skills 1 ACS Element
  • :

    NA:

    Not Applicable.
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operating Rules Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Operating Rules 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 Operating Rules 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.