Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Spirals Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area IV, Task B
The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Spirals Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with steep spirals.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Steep Spirals:0:10Part 3, Steep Spirals Risk Management:0:20Part 4, Steep Spirals 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:
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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.
- Basicmed.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance Supplement.
- Clearing Turns 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.
- Part 2, Steep Spirals:
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- Part 3, Steep Spirals Risk Management:
- Part 4, Steep Spirals Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead a guided scenario.
- 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.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Spirals Lesson Plan Interactive Guided Scenario
Interactive Guided Scenario
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Decision 1
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Scenario Complete
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) Steep Spirals Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with steep spirals
- Note: See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task
- References: FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); POH/AFM.
Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
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CA.V.B.K1: Relationship to emergency landing procedures. -
CA.V.B.K2: Maintaining a constant radius about a point. -
CA.V.B.K3: Effects of wind on ground track and relation to a ground reference.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
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CA.V.B.R1: Division of attention between aircraft control and orientation. -
CA.V.B.R2: -
CA.V.B.R3: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). -
CA.V.B.R4: Distractions, improper task management, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. -
CA.V.B.R5: Uncoordinated flight. -
CA.V.B.R6: Effects of wind. -
CA.V.B.R7: Airframe or airspeed limitations.
Skills 6 ACS Elements
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CA.V.B.S1: -
CA.V.B.S2: Select an altitude sufficient to continue through a series of at least three, 360° turns. -
CA.V.B.S3: Establish and maintain a steep spiral, not to exceed 60° angle of bank, to maintain a constant radius about a suitable ground reference point. -
CA.V.B.S4: Apply wind-drift correction to track a constant radius circle around selected reference point with bank not to exceed 60° a steepest point in turn. -
CA.V.B.S5: Divide attention between airplane control, traffic avoidance and the ground track while maintaining coordinated flight. -
CA.V.B.S6: Maintain the specified airspeed, ±10 knots and roll out toward an object or specified heading, ±10°, and complete the maneuver no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL).
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Steep Spirals strengthens the coordination, energy awareness, and precise control needed to keep the airplane within safe aerodynamic limits.
- Recognizing changes in angle of attack, load factor, control effectiveness, wind drift, and developing errors allows pilots to correct before safety margins disappear.
- Structured practice builds visual awareness, aircraft feel, checklist discipline, and the judgment required to discontinue or recover when a maneuver becomes unstable.
- Mastery of Steep Spirals provides a foundation for the more precise and complex aircraft-control tasks encountered in later training.
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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.