Sport Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing & Sailing Lesson Plan

Sport Pilot (Airplane) • PTS Area II, Task E

The Sport Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing And Sailing Lesson Plan covers the knowledge and skills required by FAA-S-8081-29A.

Sport Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing & Sailing Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Preflight Considerations:
    0:15
    Part 3, Taxiing & Sailing Considerations:
    0:15
    Part 4, Taxiing & Sailing Procedures:
    0:15
    Part 5, Taxiing & Sailing Risk Management:
    0:20
    Part 6, Taxiing & Sailing Guided Scenario(s):
    0:20
    Part 7, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

  • Motivator

    • Having just started the aircraft and completed the required checklists, the pilot is ready to put the aircraft in motion.
    • Taxiing is that movement of an aircraft while on the ground, under its own power.
    • Taxiing is accomplished primarily through the use of the rudder and brakes however, pilots are also required to mitigate the impacts of wind.
    • Since movement on an airport's surface involves coordination, clearances requirements/coordination are required to operate.
    • With the basics in mind, pilots execute Taxi Procedures as they move about an airport's surface area.
    • While the movement of the aircraft is our primary concern, there remain some checklist items we must accomplish to prepare/close-out an operation.
    • Finally, while taxiing seems straight forward, it can also be an art, with best practices that can help pilots.
    • Once your engine has started you must be aware of what you're doing and keep a visual scan, your "flight" has begun.
      • It may be required initially to tow the aircraft before engines are started to be safe.
Sport Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing & Sailing Lesson Plan

Materials

Sport Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing & Sailing Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

Sport Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing & Sailing Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Have student find an airport diagram of a local airport.
    • Review the airport diagram symbology.
    • What information does the Chart Supplement provide regarding taxi operations?
    • What information do Notice to Airmen (NOTAMS) provide regarding taxi operations?
    • Highlight hot spots.
  • Provide a simulated taxi clearance that includes turns, crossing/holding short of runways, etc. Simulated taxi clearance should cover taxiing to an active runway as well as from (post-landing).
    • What radio calls are required to comply with the air traffic control clearance?
  • Provide environmentals such as wind.
    • How would a pilot determine wind direction and speed while on the airport, utilizing visual and non-visual means?
    • Who has the right-of-way at an intersection (towered/non-towered airports)
    • How will flight controls change in turns relative to the environmentals provided?
  • Have the student describe the anticipated markings and signs related to taxiway identification and runway identification.
  • Discuss airport lighting for night operations.
  • Discuss procedures and mitigations during low visibility taxi operations.
  • Discuss checklist usage before, during, and after taxiing.
  • Discuss distractions, unexpected instructions/changes, expectation bias, and what constitutes a runway incursion.
  • Related scenarios:
    • Night Operations.
  • Aids: None.
Sport Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing & Sailing Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Sport Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing & Sailing Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Sport Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing & Sailing Practical Test Standards

  • Source: FAA-S-8081-29A, Section 1 - Sport Pilot Airplane.
  • Task: TAXIING AND SAILING (ASES).
  • References: FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-23; USCG Navigation Rules; International-Inland; AFM/POH.
  • Objective: To determine that the applicant:
Objective Elements 8 PTS Elements
  • SP.1:
    Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to water taxiing and sailing procedures.
  • SP.2:
    Positions the flight controls properly for the existing wind conditions.
  • SP.3:
    Plans and follows the most favorable course while taxiing or sailing, considering wind, water current, water conditions, and maritime regulations.
  • SP.4:
    Uses the appropriate idle, plow, or step taxi technique.
  • SP.5:
    Uses flight controls, flaps, doors, water rudder, and power correctly so as to follow the desired course while sailing.
  • SP.6:
    Prevents and corrects for porpoising and skipping.
  • SP.7:
    Avoids other aircraft, vessels, and hazards.
  • SP.8:
    Complies with seaplane base signs, signals, and clearances.
Sport Pilot (Airplane) Taxiing & Sailing Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Taxiing and Sailing requires pilots to integrate aircraft control with wind, water, shoreline, traffic, and surface-condition awareness.
    • Evaluating landing areas, obstacles, currents, waves, aircraft limitations, and available escape options helps pilots protect safety where conditions can change quickly.
    • Deliberate planning, coordinated control inputs, and conservative decision-making turn specialized seaplane procedures into repeatable operational habits.
    • Continued practice with Taxiing and Sailing prepares sport pilots for more varied water environments and increasingly complex seaplane operations.

  • Closure:

    • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson.