Experimental and Unfamiliar Airplane Transition Lesson Plan

Special Cases • FAA AC 90-109A and aircraft operating limitations

A transition-training framework for experimental, amateur-built, or otherwise unfamiliar airplanes based on aircraft-specific systems, handling, performance, limitations, and risk.

Experimental and Unfamiliar Airplane Transition Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Aircraft Qualification Study:
    1:30
    Ground and Cockpit Procedures:
    1:00
    Handling and Performance:
    1:30
    Representative Operations:
    1:30
    Planned Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Ask which familiar-aircraft habit could become hazardous when control response, fuel-system logic, switch layout, or landing characteristics change.

  • Motivator:

    • Legal qualification does not guarantee readiness for an aircraft whose systems, handling, performance, or construction differ substantially from prior experience.

  • Objective:

    • Create and complete a risk-based transition program appropriate to the pilot, aircraft, and intended operation.

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Experimental and Unfamiliar Airplane Transition Lesson Plan

Materials

  • Required Materials:

    • Operating limitations, POH or aircraft records, weight and balance, maintenance history, builder/manufacturer information, checklists, and transition-training plan.
    • The target airplane or a suitably similar aircraft selected in accordance with qualified guidance.

  • Optional Materials:

    • None required.

  • Reference Materials:

Experimental and Unfamiliar Airplane Transition Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Part 1, Qualification and Planning:

    • Compare pilot experience with aircraft configuration, performance, controls, landing gear, propulsion, systems, avionics, visibility, ergonomics, and intended mission; identify gaps requiring similar-aircraft or ground preparation.

  • Part 2, Ground and Cockpit Procedures:

    • Review construction and maintenance status, limitations, loading, systems, cockpit layout, checklists, egress, normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures.

  • Part 3, Handling and Performance:

    • Demonstrate control response, slow flight, stalls when appropriate, takeoff/landing characteristics, climb, glide, energy management, crosswinds, go-arounds, and aircraft-specific hazards at safe margins.

  • Part 4, Representative Operations:

    • Fly realistic mission profiles, including environmental and runway conditions, while using conservative personal minimums and staged expansion of capability.
Experimental and Unfamiliar Airplane Transition Lesson Plan

Student Actions

  • Explain aircraft-specific systems, limitations, performance, handling differences, and emergency procedures.
  • Demonstrate safe control and judgment in representative operations without relying on inappropriate habits from another aircraft.
  • Define initial and expanding personal limitations for continued experience building.
Experimental and Unfamiliar Airplane Transition Lesson Plan

Completion Standards

  • Demonstrate consistent aircraft-specific knowledge, control, checklist use, and decisions appropriate to the intended operation.
  • Complete only those operations for which the aircraft, instructor, and conditions provide adequate safety margins.
Experimental and Unfamiliar Airplane Transition Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • A deliberate transition protects against the false confidence that can accompany experience in superficially similar airplanes.

  • Closure:

    • Document training completed, remaining restrictions, supervised-experience needs, and a phased proficiency plan.