Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Communications Light Signals & Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area III, Task B
The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with normal and emergency radio communications, air traffic control (ATC) light signals, and runway lighting systems.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Radio Communications:0:15Part 3, ATC Services:0:15Part 4, Anomalies:0:15Part 5, National Transportation Safety Board:0:10Part 6, Communications, Light Gun Signals, and Runway Lighting Guided Scenario(s):0:20Part 7, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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Attention Getter:
- Research and present a mishap case study:
- Discuss airspace in training or typical operating area.
- Relate similar personal experiences.
- Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario.
- Research and present a mishap case study:
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Motivator:
Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Sectional chart.
- Chart Supplement, U.S.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
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Reference Materials:
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Radio Communications Supplement.
- Communication Avionics Supplement.
- Transponder Supplement.
- FAA Radar Services Supplement.
- Airport Lighting Supplement.
- Lost Communication Supplement.
- Light Gun Signals Supplement.
- National Transportation Safety Board Regulations Supplement.
- AOPA's Online Learning Course - Know Before You Go: Navigating Today's Airspace.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Complete Special Awareness Training.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Emergency Procedures Supplement.
Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention-getter and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Explain that effective communication supports safety, compliance, situational awareness, and workload management in all phases of flight.
- Set expectations for standard phraseology, timely interpretation of instructions, and appropriate response to abnormal or emergency situations.
- Part 2, Radio Communications:
- Introduce radio communications.
- Introduce phraseology and emphasize standard terminology, brevity, and clarity.
- Review types and use of appropriate avionics:
- Review radio communications systems.
- Review transponder.
- Discuss how to obtain, verify, and use the proper frequencies.
- Require the student to practice transmitting and acknowledging communications using standard phraseology.
- Emphasize risks associated with poor communication habits, non-standard phraseology, missed instructions, and cockpit distraction.
- Part 3, ATC Services:
- Introduce Radar Assistance.
- Review Runway Status Lighting Systems.
- Discuss what radar assistance can and cannot provide to a VFR pilot.
- Discuss how runway lighting systems and runway status lights support runway safety and situational awareness.
- Emphasize correct interpretation of lighting cues and the need to continue clearing for traffic and conflicts.
- Part 4, Anomalies & Malfunctions:
- Review lost communications causes and procedures, as they relate to operating under VFR.
- Introduce ATC light signals.
- Discuss equipment issues that may cause communication loss and the indications a pilot may observe.
- Require the student to describe the proper response to common lost communication scenarios.
- Discuss when deteriorating circumstances may justify declaring an emergency.
- Emphasize risk management related to communication failure, uncertainty, non-standard phraseology, and delayed decision-making.
- Part 5, National Transportation Safety Board:
- Introduce National Transportation Safety Board.
- Discuss pilot responsibilities for accident and incident reporting.
- Differentiate between routine operational issues and occurrences requiring NTSB notification or reporting.
- Part 6, Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead a guided scenario.
- Present a realistic operating scenario requiring the student to select frequencies, make proper radio calls, and comply with instructions.
- Introduce a communication failure and require the student to apply lost communication procedures and interpret light gun signals.
- Require the student to identify runway lighting cues and explain their operational significance.
- Challenge the student to identify risks, prioritize tasks, and determine whether emergency declaration is warranted.
- Part 7, Lesson Conclusion:
- Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
- Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
- Debrief the student's understanding of communications procedures, light signals, runway lighting systems, and associated risk management.
- Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Communications Light Signals & Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan Interactive Guided Scenario
Interactive Guided Scenario
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Scenario Complete
Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Complete or review AOPA's Online Learning Course - Know Before You Go: Navigating Today's Airspace.
- Ask pertinent questions.
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
- Complete Special Awareness Training.
Airman Certification Standards
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Communications Light Signals & Runway Lighting Systems Lesson Plan Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with normal and emergency radio communications, air traffic control (ATC) light signals, and runway lighting systems
- References: 14 CFR part 91; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge)
Knowledge 9 ACS Elements
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CA.III.A.K1: How to obtain appropriate radio frequencies. -
CA.III.A.K2: -
CA.III.A.K3: ATC light signal recognition. -
CA.III.A.K4: Appropriate use of transponder(s). -
CA.III.A.K5: Lost communication procedures. -
CA.III.A.K6: Equipment issues that could cause loss of communication. -
CA.III.A.K7: Radar assistance. -
CA.III.A.K8: -
CA.III.A.K9: Runway Status Lighting Systems.
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
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CA.III.A.R1: Communication. -
CA.III.A.R2: Deciding if and when to declare an emergency. -
CA.III.A.R3: Use of non-standard phraseology.
Skills 3 ACS Elements
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CA.III.A.S1: Select and activate appropriate frequencies. -
CA.III.A.S2: Transmit using standard phraseology and procedures as specified in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and Pilot/Controller Glossary. -
CA.III.A.S3: Acknowledge radio communications and comply with ATC instructions or as directed by the evaluator.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Communications Light Signals and Runway Lighting Systems gives pilots the shared procedures, terminology, and situational awareness needed to operate predictably with other aircraft and air traffic services.
- Accurate interpretation, concise communication, proper readbacks, and early clarification reduce ambiguity before it becomes an airspace, runway, or traffic conflict.
- Combining outside scanning, airport and airspace knowledge, chart use, and disciplined cockpit workload supports safe decisions in controlled and uncontrolled environments.
- Continued practice with Communications Light Signals and Runway Lighting Systems prepares commercial pilots for busier airspace, more complex clearances, and increasingly demanding flight operations.
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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.