Aircraft Transition and Checkout Lesson Plan

Special Cases • Aircraft-Specific Proficiency

The Aircraft Transition and Checkout Lesson Plan provides an adaptable framework for transitioning safely to an unfamiliar aircraft make, model, configuration, or avionics suite.

Aircraft Transition and Checkout Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Pilot and Aircraft Review:
    1:00
    Flight Training:
    1:30
    Debrief and Follow-On Plan:
    0:15
    Planned Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Ask the pilot to identify which familiar habit is most likely to produce an error in the unfamiliar aircraft.

  • Motivator:

    • Transition accidents often begin when experience in one aircraft creates confidence without equivalent knowledge of the new aircraft.

  • Objective:

    • Develop aircraft-specific knowledge, risk management, and operating proficiency appropriate to the pilot, aircraft, equipment, and intended missions.

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Aircraft Transition and Checkout Lesson Plan

Materials

  • Required Materials:

    • Pilot certificate and experience record.
    • Aircraft documents, pilot operating handbook or flight manual, checklists, supplements, and performance data.
    • Current avionics guides and training resources as applicable.

  • References:

    • Aircraft manufacturer manuals, supplements, safety notices, and approved checklists.
    • Airplane Flying Handbook.
    • Applicable FAA Airman Certification Standards and operating regulations.
Aircraft Transition and Checkout Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Needs Assessment:

    • Compare the pilot’s experience with the aircraft’s systems, handling, avionics, performance, and intended operation.
    • Identify negative transfer risks and establish conservative initial limitations.

  • Ground and Flight Training:

    • Teach aircraft-specific systems, limitations, performance, loading, checklists, avionics, abnormal procedures, and emergency procedures.
    • Practice representative ground operations, takeoffs, maneuvers, navigation and automation tasks, approaches, landings, go-arounds, and emergencies as applicable.

  • Postflight:

    • Debrief proficiency gaps and establish any additional training or supervised experience needed before independent operation.
Aircraft Transition and Checkout Lesson Plan

Student Actions

  • Prepare using current aircraft manuals and assigned avionics resources.
  • Explain aircraft-specific systems, limitations, performance, and emergencies.
  • Demonstrate safe operation across representative normal, abnormal, and emergency scenarios.
Aircraft Transition and Checkout Lesson Plan

Completion Standards

  • The pilot demonstrates proficiency appropriate to the aircraft and intended operation.
  • No checkout is represented as an FAA endorsement unless a separate regulatory endorsement requirement is satisfied.
  • Remaining limitations and follow-on training are clearly documented.
Aircraft Transition and Checkout Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • A thorough transition replaces assumptions with aircraft-specific knowledge and repeatable habits.

  • Closure:

    • Review limitations, personal minimums, insurance or operator requirements, and the follow-on proficiency plan.