Sport Pilot (Airplane) Operation of Systems Lesson Plan

Introduction

Schedule:

Topic:

Time:

Attention/Motivator:

0:05

Part 1, Lesson Introduction:

0:05

Part 2, Flight Control Systems:

0:15

Part 3, Powerplant Systems:

0:15

Part 4, Propeller Systems:

0:15

Part 5, Environmental Systems:

0:15

Part 6, Fuel Systems:

0:15

Part 7, Oil/Lubrication Systems:

0:15

Part 8, Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems:

0:10

Part 9, Electrical Systems:

0:15

Part 10, Aircraft Landing Gear Systems

0:15

Part 10, Supplemental Oxygen Systems:

0:10

Part 11, Deicing and Anti-icing Systems:

0:10

Part 12, Pitot-Static and Vacuum/Pressure Systems:

0:15

Part 13, Pitot-Static and Vacuum/Pressure Avionics:

0:15

Part 14, Operation of Aircraft Systems Risk Management:

0:15

Part 15, Operation of Aircraft Systems Guided Scenario(s):

0:20

Part 16, Lesson Conclusion:

0:05

Remotivation/Closure:

0:05

Total Ground Time:

0:00
Attention Getter:
- Research a case study:
  - Airspeed Indicator Case Studies.
- 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:
- All aircraft have the requirement for essential interconnected and integrated systems, the performance of which is critical to safe operations.
- Several basic aircraft systems are universal, but even the most simple aircraft will contain complex systems.
- These systems are reliant on some power source, meaning they rely upon a powerplant not just to move the airplane, but run the systems.
- Finally, there are a variety of support systems which for comfort, regulatory, or human physiological reasons, exist to support flight operations, especially those considered high-performance.
- Understanding the aircraft systems is critical to its safe operation and proper maintenance.

Materials

Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
Optional Materials:
- Instructor endorsement log.
- Access to maintenance spaces/A&P and if able, aircraft system components from avionics, to gyros, to fuses/circuit breakers, etc.
Reference Materials:
- Emergency Procedures Supplement.
- Supplemental Oxygen Supplement.
- Flight Control Systems Supplemental.
- Aircraft icing Protection Systems Supplemental.
- Environmental Control Systems Supplemental.
- Pitot-Static and Vacuum Systems Supplemental.
- Avionics and Flight Instruments Supplemental.
- Aircraft Electrical Systems Supplemental.
- Aviation Fuel Systems Supplemental.
- Lubrication Systems Supplemental.
- Hydraulics and Pneumatics Supplemental.
- Aircraft Landing Gear Supplemental.
- Powerplants Supplemental.
- Propellers Supplemental.
- Fitness for Flight Supplemental.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook.
- Airman Certification Standards:
  - Hard copies of the ACS and Oral Exam Guides are available on Amazon.
  - Digital copies of the ACS are available on the FAA's website.

Sport Pilot (Airplane) Operation of Systems Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

Before the lesson, review reference materials.
Part 1, Lesson introduction:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
Part 2, flight control systems:
- Introduce Review Aircraft Components and Structure.
- Review how airfoil design influences lift, including chord, relative wind, and AOA.
- Introduce primary flight controls, including the controls that manipulate them.
- Introduce secondary flight controls, including the controls that manipulate them.
- Introduce other aerodynamic surfaces.
- Introduce and discuss specific aerodynamic surfaces and controls on the aircraft used for training.
- Introduce preflight checks.
- Introduce indications of and procedures to handle flight control malfunctions and anomalies.
Part 3, powerplant systems:
- Introduce reciprocating engines and the four-stroke cycle.
- Introduce the induction system.
- Introduce the ignition system.
- Introduce turbo-charging systems.
- Introduce powerplant instrumentation.
- Introduce and discuss specific powerplant system functions and instrumentation on the aircraft used for training.
- Introduce preflight checks.
- Introduce indications of and procedures to handle powerplant malfunctions and anomalies.
- Introduce and briefly discuss turbine engines.
- Walk around an engine under maintenance, if available.
Part 4, propeller systems:
- Introduce propeller mechanics, referencing how propellers relate to airfoil design.
- Introduce fixed-pitch propeller systems.
- Introduce variable-pitch propeller systems, if appropriate.
- Introduce variable-pitch propeller procedures, if appropriate.
- Introduce propeller instrumentation.
- Introduce and discuss specific propeller system functions and instrumentation on the aircraft used for training.
- Introduce preflight checks.
- Introduce indications and procedures to handle propeller malfunctions and anomalies.
Part 5, environmental systems:
- Introduce heating systems.
- Introduce cooling systems.
- Introduce pressurization systems function and instrumentation.
- Introduce and discuss specific environmental control system functions and instrumentation on the aircraft used for training.
- Introduce indications and procedures to handle environmental control system anomalies.
Part 6, fuel systems:
- Introduce the types of aviation fuel systems.
- Introduce aviation fuel system design.
- Introduce aviation fuel grades.
- Introduce refueling procedures.
- Introduce fueling contamination.
- Introduce fueling system icing.
- Introduce indications and procedures to handle fuel system malfunctions and anomalies.
- Introduce and discuss specific fuel system functions and instrumentation on the aircraft used for training.
- Introduce preflight checks.
- Demonstrate aircraft refueling procedures (can be done separately after a live flight).
Part 7, oil/lubrication systems:
- Introduce and generally discuss the types of oil/lubrication systems.
- Introduce and generally discuss the oil/lubrication system components.
- Introduce and generally discuss the oil/lubrication system indicators.
- Introduce and discuss the specific oil/lubrication system functions and instrumentation on the aircraft used for training.
- Introduce preflight checks.
- Introduce indications and procedures to handle oil/lubrication system malfunctions and anomalies.
Part 8, hydraulic and pneumatic systems:
- Introduce hydraulic/pneumatic system designs.
- Introduce hydraulic/pneumatic system components.
- Introduce hydraulic/pneumatic system servicing and maintenance.
- Introduce hydraulic/pneumatic system malfunction and anomaly indications and procedures.
Part 9, Introduce electrical systems, covering the design and limitations relevant to the training aircraft used.
- Introduce and generally discuss the types of electrical systems (alternating and direct current).
- Introduce and generally discuss the electrical system components and their function (alternators/generators, batteries, switches, fuses/circuit breakers, voltage regulators, ammeter/loadmeters, static wicks/dischargers, bus bars, and associated wiring.
- Introduce and generally discuss what equipment utilizes the electrical system (avionics, interior and exterior lights, instruments, etc.).
- Introduce and generally discuss the electrical system indicators.
- Introduce and discuss the specific electrical system equipment, functions, and instrumentation on the aircraft used for training (vice what is vacuum driven, etc.).
- Introduce preflight checks.
- Introduce indications and procedures to handle electrical system malfunctions and anomalies (potential impacts, where to find appropriate procedures).
  - Note: discussed fully in systems and equipment malfunctions lesson plan.
- After material is introduced, review the electrical system components, their purpose, and relevant performance numbers and limitations.
Part 10, aircraft landing gear systems:
- Introduce the types of landing gear.
- Introduce landing gear design.
- Introduce landing gear components.
- Introduce brake design.
- Introduce brake components.
- Introduce preflight checks.
- Introduce servicing and maintenance.
- Introduce landing gear system malfunction and anomaly indications and procedures.
Part 11, oxygen systems:
- Introduce supplemental oxygen regulations, including SCUBA diving regulations.
- Introduce supplemental oxygen system designs.
- Introduce supplemental oxygen system delivery systems.
- Introduce oxygen sensing systems.
- Introduce preflight checks.
- Introduce supplemental oxygen system servicing and maintenance.
- Introduce supplemental oxygen system malfunction and anomaly indications and procedures.
Part 12, deicing and anti-icing systems:
- Introduce the difference between de-icing and anti-icing.
- Introduce frezing level and icing conditions.
  - Introduce products/calculations used to determine freezing level.
- Introduce anti-icing systems.
- Introduce de-icing systems.
Part 13, Pitot-static systems, vacuum/pressure systems, and associated flight instruments:
- Introduce the Pitot-static system.
- Introduce the vacuum/pressure system.
- Introduce Pitot-static instruments (airspeed indicator, altitude, altimeter):
  - Introduce Pitot-static instrument designs.
  - Introduce Pitot-static instrument function/operation.
  - Introduce Pitot-static instrument indications.
  - Introduce Pitot-static instrument system malfunction and anomaly indications and procedures.
- Introduce vacuum/pressure system instruments (attitude indicator, turn coordination, heading indicator):
  - Introduce vacuum/pressure instrument designs.
  - Introduce vacuum/pressure instrument function/operation.
  - Introduce vacuum/pressure instrument indications.
  - Introduce vacuum/pressure instrument system malfunction and anomaly indications and procedures.
- Introduce the airspeed indicator.
  - Introduce the types of airspeeds and their relationship to temperature and density altitude.
- Introduce the altimeter.
  - Introduce the types of altitudes and their relationship to temperature and density altitude.
- Introduce the vertical speed indicator.
Part 14, Pitot-Static and Vacuum/Pressure Avionics:
- Introduce the heading indicator.
- Introduce the turn coordinator.
- Introduce the attitude indicator.
- Introduce the magnetic compass.
- Introduce automatic-dependent surveillance-broadcast.
- Introduce communications avionics.
- Introduce distance measuring equipment.
- Introduce emergency locator transmitter.
- Introduce enhanced flight vision system.
- Introduce flight management and autopilot systems.
- Introduce global positioning system.
- Introduce transponder.
- Introduce VHF Omni Directional Range (VOR) and Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) systems.
Part 15, Operation of Aircraft Systems Risk Management:
Part 16, Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead a guided scenarios>operation of aircraft systems guided scenario.
Part 17, Lesson Conclusion:
- 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.

Sport Pilot (Airplane) Operation of Systems Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

While flying, the pilot realizes their airspeed is reading much differently than the GPS speed
- How can this be?
- What if the pilot had recently changed altitude?

Sport Pilot (Airplane) Operation of Systems Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
Ask pertinent questions.
Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.

Sport Pilot (Airplane) Operation of Systems Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Sport Pilot (Airplane) Operation of Systems Practical Test Standards

Source: FAA-S-8081-29A, Section 1 - Sport Pilot Airplane.
Task: OPERATION OF SYSTEMS (ASEL and ASES).
References: FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; AFM/POH.
Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits knowledge of the elements related to the operation of systems on the light-sport aircraft provided for the flight test by explaining at least three (3) of the following systems, if applicable:

Objective Elements 9 PTS Elements

SP.1:
Primary flight controls and trim
SP.2:
Flaps and lift-enhancing devices
SP.3:
Water rudders
SP.4:
Powerplant and propeller
SP.5:
Landing gear, brakes, and steering
SP.6:
Fuel, oil, and hydraulic
SP.7:
Electrical
SP.8:
Avionics
SP.9:
Pitot-static, vacuum/pressure, and associated flight instruments

Sport Pilot (Airplane) Operation of Systems Lesson Plan

Conclusion

Re-Motivation:
- Operation of Systems helps pilots translate aircraft data, limitations, and system knowledge into decisions that preserve safe operating margins.
- Understanding how configuration, loading, environment, and equipment condition affect performance enables pilots to identify unacceptable combinations before flight.
- Verifying calculations, monitoring actual performance, and responding early to unexpected indications connect technical knowledge with sound aeronautical decision-making.
- Further exploration of Operation of Systems prepares sport pilots to evaluate more complex aircraft and operating conditions with confidence.
Closure:
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
- Assign study materials for the next lesson.

Sport Pilot (Airplane) Operation of Systems Lesson Plan

Introduction

Schedule:

Attention Getter:

Motivator:

Materials

Required Materials:

Optional Materials:

Reference Materials:

Instructor Actions

Guided Scenario(s)

Student Actions

Airman Certification Standards

Conclusion

Re-Motivation:

Closure: