Sport Pilot (Airplane) Normal & Crosswind Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan
Sport Pilot (Airplane) • PTS Area IV, Task A
The Sport Pilot (Airplane) Normal And Crosswind Takeoff And Climb Lesson Plan covers the knowledge and skills required by FAA-S-8081-29A.
Introduction
-
Schedule:
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Crosswind Takeoff and Climb:0:15Part 3, Crosswind Takeoff and Climb Risk Management:0:15Part 4, Crosswind Takeoff and Climb Guided Scenario(s):0:20Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
-
Attention Getter:
- Research and present a mishap 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
-
Motivator:
- While it is usually preferable to takeoff into the wind, most situations will not be a pure headwind, and some crosswind component will exist.
- One example of where you may want to takeoff with a tailwind would be rising terrain, or perhaps if in a glider, a lack of landing options in a rope break.
- Regardless of the situation, always run the numbers and do not exceed the aircraft's limits.
Materials
-
Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Pilot Operating Handbook
- Weight & Balance Form Template
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
-
Optional Materials:
-
Reference Materials:
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- 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.
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, Crosswind Takeoff and Climb:
- Part 3, Crosswind Takeoff and Climb Risk Management:
- Part 4, Crosswind Takeoff and Climb Guided Scenario(s):
- Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:
- Discuss the possible differences between calculated performance and actual performance.
- 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.
Guided Scenario(s)
- Phase 1 – Preflight Decision Making:
- A pilot is planning a training flight in the local area. They remembered always reviewing takeoff performance during flight training so they get to it.
- Question: What Federal Aviation Regulation discuss takeoff and climb? What do they say?
- What factors are affecting your takeoff performance today?
- How does density altitude impact: Takeoff roll? Climb rate?
- Is this still a "normal" takeoff? / At this point, is this low, medium, or high risk according to personal minimums?
- A pilot heard about noise abatement procedures
- Where are noise abatement procedures found?
- What are the noise abatement procedures for the local training airport?
- A pilot is planning a training flight in the local area. They remembered always reviewing takeoff performance during flight training so they get to it.
- Phase 2 – Performance Validation:
- Perform a takeoff calculation as it relates to the scenario if not already completed.
- If a pilot was flying somewhere for lunch and returning home that same day:
- Considerations when flying from an altitude at lower elevation to one that is higher in elevation?
- Considerations when flying from a cold area to warm area? Vice versa?
- Considerations when flying from a prepared surface to unprepared surface? Vice versa?
- Given the distance, where should runway rotation occur (visually)?
- Using a rule of thumb which states achieving 70% by 50% of the runway, where and at what speed is the abort criteria evaluated?
- Are there any other factors?
- Runway & Risk Adjustment:
- While taxiing using appropriate taxi corrections, the pilot notices the winds are different than expected.
- How does even a small tailwind affect takeoff performance?
- Should a new runway be chosen?
- While taxiing using appropriate taxi corrections, the pilot notices the winds are different than expected.
- Takeoff Roll (Real-Time Coaching):
- Discuss steps from clearance to takeoff.
- You are halfway down the runway and not airborne yet.
- How does a pilot recognize loss of performance? What is normal RPM expected?
- Continue or reject?
- What cues tell you performance is insufficient?
- Where is your abort point?
- The pilot, unsatisfied with the aircraft's performance decides to abort.
- What is the appropriate procedure?
- What considerations are there for aborting a takeoff at 10 knots? 25 knots? 50 knots? Snow, Rain, Ice?
- What considerations are there for the environmentals?
- A heavy aircraft just departed and the controller states "caution, wake turbulence."
- Do you delay takeoff?
- Where is the hazard?
- Crosswind Considerations:
- How do control inputs change as the aircraft accelerates?
- How does the pilot manage the liftoff/transition to climb?
- Initial Climb Emergency:
- Shortly after liftoff, climb performance is poor.
- Are you achieving expected airspeed?
- Vx or Vy - which do you use and why?
- What is your plan if the engine fails right now?
- Shortly after liftoff, climb performance is poor.
- Assuming a good aircraft in a climb, there are trees on the departure:
- Do you use Vx or Vy?
- When do you transition?
- On climbout, an aircraft is seen above you crossing from left to right.
- Who has right-of-way?
- Continue climb or maneuver?
- Collision avoidance priorities?
- Reflections:
- Would you have departed today?
- What would you change?
- What was your biggest risk?
- Related scenarios:
Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Find all limitations in POH.
- Complete or review AOPA's Online Learning Course - Essential Aerodynamics.
- 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) Normal & Crosswind Takeoff & Climb Practical Test Standards
- Source: FAA-S-8081-29A, Section 1 - Sport Pilot Airplane.
- Task: NORMAL AND CROSSWIND TAKEOFF AND CLIMB (ASEL and ASES).
- Note: If a crosswind condition does not exist, the applicant’s knowledge of crosswind elements shall be evaluated through oral testing.
- References: FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-23; AFM/POH.
- Objective: To determine that the applicant:
Objective Elements 6 PTS Elements
-
SP.1: Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to a normal/crosswind takeoff and climb and rejected takeoff procedures. -
SP.2: Clears the area and positions the flight controls appropriately for the existing wind conditions. -
SP.3: Retracts the water rudders as appropriate, and establishes and maintains the most efficient planing/lift-off attitude, and corrects for porpoising and skipping. (ASES) -
SP.4: Lifts off at the recommended airspeed and/or attitude, and climbs at that airspeed/climb attitude (+10/−5 knots). -
SP.5: Retracts flaps after a positive rate of climb is established and maintains takeoff power to a safe maneuvering altitude. -
SP.6: Maintains directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout the takeoff and climb.
Conclusion
-
Re-Motivation:
- Normal and Crosswind Takeoff and Climb combines performance planning, directional control, and precise aircraft configuration during a phase of flight with little time or altitude to correct errors.
- Wind, runway condition, density altitude, weight, obstacles, and aircraft limitations must be evaluated before committing to the takeoff.
- Briefing abort points, continuously evaluating acceleration and aircraft response, and acting decisively when performance is not as expected transform calculations into meaningful risk management.
- Continued practice with Normal and Crosswind Takeoff and Climb prepares sport pilots for more demanding runway, weather, and aircraft-performance scenarios later in training.
-
Closure:
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
- Assign study materials for the next lesson.