Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Lost Procedures Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area VI, Task D
The Commercail Pilot (Airplane) Lost Procedures Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with lost procedures and can take appropriate steps to achieve a satisfactory outcome if lost.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Lost Procedures:0:10Part 3, Lost Procedures Risk Management:0:20Part 4, Lost Procedures Guided Scenario(s):0:20Part 5, 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 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.
- Research and present a mishap case study:
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Motivator:
- Lost aircraft procedures can be simplified down to five simple steps called "The 5 C's."
- Note, this page does not pertain to remotely-piloted aircraft system lost communications.
Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) or an internet-enabled device to access FARs.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
- Instructor endorsement log.
- Pilot Logbook.
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Reference Materials:
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Flight Deck Management Supplement.
- Basicmed.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Aeronautical Information Manual.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Lost Aircraft Procedures Supplement.
- Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance Supplement.
- FAA Radar Services Supplement.
- Test-taking Guidance.
- Test Guides.
- The Checkride Supplement.
Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
- If not previously discussed, provide expectations on time to train, ground instruction vs. flight instruction, and instructor/student availability.
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention-getter and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Explain that lost procedures require immediate prioritization, situational awareness, and structured problem solving.
- Set expectations for maintaining aircraft control while resolving uncertainty.
- Part 2, Lost Procedures:
- Baseline the discussion by reviewing navigation fundamentals (pilotage, dead reckoning, and situational awareness).
- Introduce the “5 C’s” (Climb, Communicate, Confess, Comply, Conserve) and explain the purpose of each step.
- Discuss methods to determine position, including visual checkpoints, navigation systems, and available onboard resources.
- Discuss available assistance if lost, including ATC radar services, flight service, and emergency frequencies.
- Emphasize maintaining aircraft control while troubleshooting, including appropriate altitude and heading selection.
- Discuss risks associated with distractions, task prioritization, and loss of situational awareness.
- Discuss collision hazards when maneuvering while uncertain of position.
- Review when to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.
- Emphasize ACS skill flow: determine position, maintain control, identify landmarks, use available resources, and select an appropriate course of action.
- Question the student on decision-making triggers (e.g., “When are you officially lost?”).
- Part 3, Lost Procedures Risk Management:
- Part 4, Lost Procedures Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead a guided scenario.
- Present a realistic en route situation where the student cannot identify a checkpoint.
- Require the student to verbalize priorities (aviate, navigate, communicate).
- Have the student apply the 5 C’s and explain each step as they progress.
- Require the student to determine position using available methods and resources.
- Challenge the student to decide when to request assistance or declare an emergency.
- Require the student to select a safe course of action (continue, divert, or land).
- Part 5, 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 knowledge, risk management, and skill elements associated with lost procedures.
- Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Guided Scenario(s)
- While flying to a new destinationa cross unfamiliar terrain and airspace, the pilot searches for their checkpoint, but cannot find it
- What are some reasons the pilot may be in the correct place, but unable to tell?
- What are some reasons the pilot is in fact not in the correct place, therefore lost?
- Should the pilot immediately stop flying their plan? Why?
- Should the pilot turnaround? Why?
- Should the pilot continue? Why?
- The pilot continues and see's their next checkpoint, however, after a few more checkpoints they realize they are again lost
- Since the checkpoint they had chosen was a large lake, they believe they did something wrong
- What should the pilot do?
- What options for assistance exist?
- What are the five C's?
- How does each "C" assist the pilot in locating their procedure to get back on course or safely divert for landing?
- Related scenarios:
Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Complete initial BasicMed requirements.
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Ask pertinent questions.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
Airman Certification Standards
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Lost Procedures Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with lost procedures and can take appropriate steps to achieve a satisfactory outcome if lost
- References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); VFR Navigation Charts
Knowledge 2 ACS Elements
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CA.VI.D.K1: -
CA.VI.D.K2: Assistance available if lost (e.g., radar services, communication procedures).
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
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CA.VI.D.R1: -
CA.VI.D.R2: -
CA.VI.D.R3: Recording times over waypoints. -
CA.VI.D.R4: When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.
Skills 5 ACS Elements
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CA.VI.D.S1: Use an appropriate method to determine position. -
CA.VI.D.S2: Maintain an appropriate heading and climb as necessary. -
CA.VI.D.S3: Identify prominent landmarks. -
CA.VI.D.S5: Select an appropriate course of action.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Lost Procedures develops the calm, disciplined response needed when time, altitude, aircraft capability, or available options are limited.
- Early recognition, aircraft control, checklist use, clear priorities, and continuous evaluation of recovery or landing options help prevent an abnormal event from becoming unmanageable.
- Scenario practice strengthens situational awareness and aeronautical decision-making so pilots can adapt procedures to the aircraft, environment, and urgency of the event.
- Continued practice with Lost Procedures prepares commercial pilots to manage more complex failures while preserving the margins needed for a safe outcome.
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Closure:
- Inform students that this lesson will serve as a starting point for the next lesson.
- Advise the student to register for the WINGS program if they have not already done so.
- Advise the student to complete BasicMed if they have not already done so.
- Assign study materials for the next lesson.
- The FAA provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
- To learn more about preparing for the practical test, visit the checkride page.