High-Altitude Endorsement Lesson Plan

Special Cases • 14 CFR 61.31(g)

The High-Altitude Endorsement Lesson Plan provides the ground training required by 14 CFR 61.31(g) for pressurized airplanes having a service ceiling or maximum operating altitude above 25,000 feet MSL.

High-Altitude Endorsement Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    High-Altitude Physiology:
    0:45
    Aircraft Systems and Operations:
    1:15
    Scenario and Evaluation:
    0:30
    Planned Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a rapid-decompression event at altitude and ask how many useful seconds remain for recognition, oxygen use, and descent.

  • Motivator:

    • At high altitude, small delays in recognizing a physiological or pressurization problem can rapidly remove the pilot’s ability to solve it.

  • Objective:

    • Develop and evaluate the ground knowledge required for the high-altitude endorsement.

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High-Altitude Endorsement Lesson Plan

Materials

High-Altitude Endorsement Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Physiology:

    • Teach hypoxia, hyperventilation, trapped gas, decompression sickness, time of useful consciousness, oxygen equipment, and recognition of personal symptoms.

  • Systems and Operations:

    • Teach pressurization components, controls, limitations, warning systems, high-altitude aerodynamics and weather, emergency oxygen use, and rapid-decompression procedures.
    • Use scenarios involving pressurization failure, emergency descent, weather avoidance, fuel planning, and diversion decisions.

  • Evaluation:

    • Require the pilot to explain system operation, limitations, physiological hazards, and immediate actions for representative malfunctions.
High-Altitude Endorsement Lesson Plan

Student Actions

  • Explain high-altitude physiology and oxygen requirements.
  • Explain pressurization-system operation, limitations, and failure indications.
  • Apply emergency procedures and sound decisions to high-altitude scenarios.
High-Altitude Endorsement Lesson Plan

Completion Standards

  • The pilot demonstrates the ground knowledge required by §61.31(g).
  • The pilot promptly recognizes high-altitude hazards and selects correct oxygen, descent, and diversion actions.
High-Altitude Endorsement Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • High-altitude knowledge protects the pilot’s ability to recognize a problem before impaired judgment hides it.

  • Closure:

    • Review aircraft-specific training needs and the applicable AC 61-65K endorsement.