Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Glassy Water Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area V, Task I
The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Glassy Water Approach and Landing Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with glassy water approach and landing.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Part 1, Introduction:0:05Part 2, Glassy Water Approach and Landing:0:10Part 3, Glassy Water Approach and Landing Risk Management:0:10Part 4, Glassy Water Approach and Landing Guided Scenario(s):0:15Part 5, Conclude Lesson:0:10Remotivation/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.
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Motivator:
- Soft field takeoffs maximize performance when departing from a soft or rough runway surface
- Otherwise "hard" surfaces can become "soft" following rainstorms or disturbance
- These soft and rough surfaces provide unique challenges which may make the aircraft harder to control and reduce acceleration
- Additionally, with soft and perhaps bumpy surfaces, you are at risk of getting the nose wheel stuck
- For this reason, procedures may specify a flap setting
Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Weight and Balance worksheet.
- Pilot Information/Operating Handbook.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- Instructor endorsement log.
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Reference Materials:
- Takeoff and Climb Supplement.
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance Supplement.
- Flight Deck Management Supplement.
- Taxiing Supplement.
- Weight and Balance Supplement.
- Takeoff and Climb Performance Supplement.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Aeronautical Information Manual.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Emergency Procedures Supplement.
- Radio Communications Supplement.
- Approach and Landing Supplement.
- Test-taking Guidance.
- Test Guides.
- The Checkride Supplement.
Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Introduce Glassy Water Approach and Landing.
- Part 2, Glassy Water Approach and Landing:
- Introduce collision hazards.
- Introduce low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin and controlled flight into terrain risks.
- Introduce distractions, task prioritization, situational awareness, and disorientation.
- Introduce runway incursion risks.
- Part 3, Glassy Water Approach and Landing Risk Management:
- Part 4, Glassy Water Approach and Landing Guided Scenario(s):
- Part 5, Conclude Lesson:
- Relate lesson to power-on stalls.
- 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)
- Discuss the purpose of an conditions which warrant a glassy water takeoff and climb procedure
- Conduct a weight and balance calculation for the day
- Conduct a takeoff distance calculation for the day, noting where takeoff should occur in reference to the airport runways (save for later in lesson)
- Provide simulated variables that cover different airfield elevations (takeoff distance), temperatures, surface conditions, and winds for subsequent calculations and discuss on how they effect takeoff and climb performance
- Conduct a glassy water takeoff and compare actual rotation location to calculated location
- Discuss how crosswind takeoffs
- How do control inputs change as the aircraft accelerates?
- How does the pilot manage the liftoff/transition to climb?
- Discuss rejecting the takeoff in the rain/snow
- How would rejecting a takeoff on a wet runway change a pilot's action?
- How would performance change?
- Discuss an engine failure on takeoff roll, just after takeoff, and while in the climb
- How does a pilot recognize loss of performance? What is normal RPM expected?
- How do pilot options change as the aircraft gains altitude?
- Discuss the importance of checking for aircraft on final before taxiing onto the runway
- What are some reasons pilots may be on final without other pilots otherwise knowing?
- Discuss hazards by providing an example of taking off after a larger aircraft (windshear)
- Discuss minimum safe altitudes
- Describe minimum safe altitudes for a given area?
- Discuss how minimum safe altitudes apply to takeoff/airport operations?
- Discuss reasons where Vx and Vy would be most appropriate for climbout
- Discuss risk in climb (power-on stall) as well as terrain avoidance being low altitude, nose-high, high workload
- Discuss why noise abatement procedures exist and where to find them
- Have student locate noise abatement procedures for the local or a nearby airport
- Related scenarios:
Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- 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
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Glassy Water Takeoff & Climb Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with glassy water takeoff and climb
- Note: If a glassy water condition does not exist, the applicant must be evaluated by simulating the Task
- References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-23 (Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); POH/AFM.
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
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CA.IV.I.K1: Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on takeoff and climb performance. -
CA.IV.I.K2: Best angle of climb speed (Vx) and best rate of climb speed (Vy). -
CA.IV.I.K3: Appropriate airplane configuration. -
CA.IV.I.K4: Appropriate use of glassy water takeoff and climb technique.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
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CA.IV.I.R1: Selection of takeoff path based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, and available distance. -
CA.IV.I.R2: Water surface/condition. -
CA.IV.I.R3: Abnormal operations, to include planning for.-
CA.IV.I.R3a: Rejected takeoff. -
CA.IV.I.R3b: Potential engine failure in takeoff/climb phase of flight.
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CA.IV.I.R4: -
CA.IV.I.R5: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). -
CA.IV.I.R6: -
CA.IV.I.R7: Gear position in an amphibious airplane.
Skills 12 ACS Elements
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CA.IV.I.S1: Complete the appropriate checklist(s). -
CA.IV.I.S2: -
CA.IV.I.S3: Position flight controls and configure the aircraft for the existing conditions. -
CA.IV.I.S4: Clear the area; select appropriate takeoff path considering surface hazards or vessels and surface conditions.-
CA.IV.I.S4a: Retract the water rudders, as appropriate. -
CA.IV.I.S4b: Advance the throttle smoothly to takeoff power and confirm proper engine and flight instrument indications prior to rotation.
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CA.IV.I.S5: [Archived]. -
CA.IV.I.S5: Establish and maintain an appropriate planing attitude, directional control, and correct for porpoising, skipping, and increase in water drag. -
CA.IV.I.S7: Avoid excessive water spray on the propeller(s). -
CA.IV.I.S8: Use appropriate techniques to lift seaplane from the water considering surface conditions. -
CA.IV.I.S9: Establish proper attitude/airspeed and accelerate to Vy ±5 knots during the climb. -
CA.IV.I.S10: Configure the airplane after a positive rate of climb has been verified or in accordance with airplane manufacturer's instructions. -
CA.IV.I.S11: Maintain Vy ±5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude. -
CA.IV.I.S12: Maintain directional control throughout takeoff and climb.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Glassy Water 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 Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb prepares commercial pilots for more demanding runway, weather, and aircraft-performance scenarios later in training.
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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.