Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area VII, Task A

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with maneuvering during slow flight in cruise configuration.

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Part 1, Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Maneuvering During Slow Flight Performance:
    0:10
    Part 3, Maneuvering During Slow Flight Procedure:
    0:10
    Part 4, Maneuvering During Slow Flight Risk Management:
    0:10
    Part 5, Maneuvering During Slow Flight Guided Scenario(s):
    0:15
    Part 6, Conclude Lesson:
    0:10
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total 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:

    • Slow flight develops the ability to recognize changes in aircraft flight characteristics and control effectiveness at critically slow airspeeds in various configurations
    • While pilots may perform slow flight to loiter over an area during cruise flight, it is most often performed incidental to takeoff and landing
    • With multi-engine aircraft the concept of minimum controllable airspeed comes into play
    • Speed Instability:
      • Flying slower than minimum drag speed (LD/max), more power will be required, due to total drag curve and slight disturbances will decrease airspeed
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan

Materials

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan Interactive Guided Scenario

Interactive Guided Scenario

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Decision 1
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Scenario Complete

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with maneuvering during slow flight in cruise configuration
  • Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and 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 1 ACS Element
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
  • PA.VII.A.R1:
    Inadvertent slow flight and flight with a stall warning, which could lead to loss of control.
  • PA.VII.A.R2:
    Range and limitations of stall warning indicators (e.g., airplane buffet, stall horn, etc.).
  • PA.VII.A.R3:
    Uncoordinated flight.
  • PA.VII.A.R4:
    Effect of environmental elements on airplane performance (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and high-density altitude).
  • PA.VII.A.R5:
    Collision hazards.
  • PA.VII.A.R6:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 5 ACS Elements
  • PA.VII.A.S1:
    Clear the area.
  • PA.VII.A.S2:
    Select an entry altitude that allows the Task to be completed no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL) (ASEL, ASES) or 3,000 feet AGL (AMEL, AMES).
  • PA.VII.A.S3:
    Establish and maintain an airspeed at which any further increase in angle of attack, increase in load factor, or reduction in power, would result in a stall warning (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
  • PA.VII.A.S4:
    Accomplish coordinated straight-and-level flight, turns, climbs, and descents with the aircraft configured as specified by the evaluator without a stall warning (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
  • PA.VII.A.S5:
    Maintain the specified altitude, ±50 feet; specified heading, ±10°; airspeed, +5/-0 knots; and specified angle of bank, ±5°.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering During Slow Flight Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Maneuvering during Slow Flight 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 Maneuvering during Slow Flight provides a foundation for the more precise and complex aircraft-control tasks encountered in later training.

  • Closure:

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