Upset Prevention, Recovery, and Aerobatic Familiarization Lesson Plan
Special Cases • FAA upset-recovery guidance, aircraft limitations, and 14 CFR 91.303 and 91.307
A carefully bounded lesson in upset prevention, recognition, recovery priorities, startle management, load awareness, unusual attitudes, and introductory aerobatic considerations.
Introduction
Schedule
Topic:Time:Aerodynamics and Regulations:1:15Prevention and Recognition:0:45Flight Demonstration and Recovery:1:30Debrief:0:30Planned Time:0:00Attention Getter:
- Present an unexpected nose-low, steep-bank event and ask why an instinctive pull before reducing angle of attack can worsen load factor and structural risk.
Motivator:
- Upset recovery begins with prevention and recognition; safe training builds correct priorities without encouraging unsupported self-practice.
Objective:
- Develop knowledge and supervised proficiency in upset prevention, recognition, recovery priorities, and applicable aerobatic limitations.
Materials
Required Materials:
- Aircraft POH/AFM and operating limitations, risk plan, current regulations, checklists, and physiological briefing.
- An aircraft approved for each maneuver, a qualified instructor, appropriate airspace and altitude, and parachutes when required.
Optional Materials:
- None required.
Reference Materials:
Instructor Actions
Part 1, Aerodynamics Regulations and Physiology:
- Teach angle of attack, energy, load factor, accelerated stalls, spiral divergence, control effectiveness, structural limits, aerobatic definitions and restrictions, parachute requirements, disorientation, motion sickness, and abort criteria.
Part 2, Prevention and Recognition:
- Use scenarios involving distraction, turbulence, wake, automation, spatial disorientation, trim, stalls, and improper instrument recoveries; reinforce monitoring and early intervention.
Part 3, Flight Demonstration and Recovery:
- At safe altitude, demonstrate only aircraft-approved maneuvers; teach unload/reduce angle of attack, manage bank and energy, respect limitations, recover to controlled flight, and avoid rigid recovery mnemonics that conflict with manufacturer guidance.
- Separate introductory familiarization from authorization for independent aerobatic practice.
Part 4, Debrief:
- Review startle, control inputs, altitude and load outcomes, physiological response, and conditions requiring specialized aerobatic or UPRT instruction.
Student Actions
- Explain upset definitions, causes, prevention, recovery priorities, limitations, and regulatory restrictions.
- Recognize developing upsets and apply appropriate manufacturer-consistent recovery inputs under supervision.
- Discontinue for lost orientation, physiological distress, aircraft limitation, or inadequate altitude.
Completion Standards
- Maintain aircraft within approved limitations and recover using correct priorities without exceeding agreed training boundaries.
- Demonstrate judgment that favors prevention, early recognition, and qualified recurrent training over unsupported experimentation.
Conclusion
Re-Motivation:
- Correct recovery habits require disciplined instruction; enthusiasm must never outrun aircraft approval, instructor qualification, or personal readiness.
Closure:
- Document maneuvers demonstrated, limitations, physiological response, and whether specialized follow-on training is appropriate.