Sport Pilot (Airplane) Engine Starting Lesson Plan
Sport Pilot (Airplane) • PTS Area II, Task C
The Sport Pilot (Airplane) Engine Starting Lesson Plan covers the knowledge and skills required by FAA-S-8081-29A.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Engine Starting Considerations:0:15Part 3, Engine Starting Anomalies & Malfunctions:0:15Part 4, Engine Starting Risk Management:0:20Part 5, Engine Starting Guided Scenario(s):0:20Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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Attention Getter:
- Research a case study:
- 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.
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Motivator:
- Even though most airplanes are equipped with electric starters, it is helpful if a pilot is familiar with the procedures and dangers involved in starting an engine by turning the propeller by hand (hand propping).
- Prior to starting jet, air intakes and the surrounding area shall be inspected to eliminate the possibility of Foreign Object Debris, or FOD.
- Whenever an engine is started, personnel with adequate fire extinguishing equipment, if available, shall be stationed in the immediate vicinity of the engine but safely clear of intakes or propellers.
- In starting an aircraft, all challenges and signals between the person operating the starting device and the person at the engine controls shall be clearly understood and so indicated by repetition before action is taken by either person.
- Where the engines are started entirely from the cockpit, the person at the engine controls should exchange signals with a person observing the engine from outside the aircraft.
Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Aircraft.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
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Reference Materials:
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, Engine Starting Considerations:
- Part 3, Engine Starting Anomalies & Malfunctions:
- Safety Considerations.
- Air start considerations.
- Part 4, Engine Starting Risk Management:
- Assess fire, unexpected movement, propeller or rotor, blast, over-priming, starter-duty-cycle, oil-pressure, electrical, hand-propping, passenger, and ground-personnel risks; require a clear area and aircraft-specific abort criteria.
- Required teaching coverage:
- Demonstrate and coach safe aircraft positioning, clearing, and the aircraft-specific start and checklist sequence for actual conditions, including recognition and response to abnormal movement, fire, indications, or starter limits. (SP.2) (SP.3) (SP.4) (SP.5)
- Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply aircraft-specific normal, cold, hot, flooded, high-elevation, weak-battery, external-power, and waterborne starting procedures and the conditions requiring a stopped attempt or shutdown. (SP.1)
- Cover priming, mixture, starter duty cycle and cooling, oil-pressure timing, warm-up limitations, hand-propping prerequisites and hazards, propeller and blast-area control, external-power disconnection, and post-start electrical indications.
- Part 5, Engine Start-up Guided Scenario(s).
- Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:
- Tie lesson back to previous lessons to reinforce past experiences (law of readiness).
- Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
- Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
- Update the instructor log and student progress. Select the student and sign off completed objectives. If the student does not have a connected account, record the update manually in the instructor log and student training record.
Sport Pilot (Airplane) Engine Starting Lesson Plan Interactive Guided Scenario
Sport Pilot Airplane Engine Starting Guided Flight
Work through one integrated 60-decision guided scenario combining 4 linked lesson topics into a comprehensive training exercise.
Decision 1
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Scenario Complete
Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Complete relevant knowledge checks:
- Complete relevant interactive scenarios:
- Complete relevant knowledge checks:
- Complete relevant interactive scenarios:
- Ask pertinent questions.
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
Airman Certification Standards
Sport Pilot (Airplane) Engine Starting Practical Test Standards
- Source: FAA-S-8081-29A, Section 1 - Sport Pilot Airplane.
- Task: ENGINE STARTING (ASEL and ASES).
- References: FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; AFM/POH.
- Objective: To determine that the applicant:
Objective Elements 5 PTS Elements
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SP.1: Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to recommended engine starting procedures. This shall include pull starting, hand propping safety, and starting under various atmospheric conditions, if applicable. -
SP.2: Demonstrates awareness of other persons and property during start. -
SP.3: Positions the airplane properly considering structures, surface conditions, other aircraft, and the safety of nearby persons and property. -
SP.4: Accomplishes the correct starting procedure. -
SP.5: Completes the appropriate checklist.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Engine Starting reinforces that safe flight depends on disciplined preparation, positive aircraft control, and attention to detail before and after the airborne portion of a flight.
- Checklists, clear communication, traffic awareness, configuration verification, and early recognition of discrepancies prevent routine ground tasks from creating avoidable hazards.
- Managing distractions and continuously confirming aircraft position, condition, and readiness turn standard procedures into effective risk controls.
- Continued practice with Engine Starting prepares sport pilots for busier environments, unfamiliar aircraft, and more complex operations later in training.
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Closure:
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
- Assign study materials for the next lesson.