Instrument Rating Pilot Qualifications Lesson Plan
Instrument Rating • ACS Area I, Task A
The Instrument Rating Pilot Qualifications Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with airman and medical certificates including privileges, limitations, currency, and operating as pilot-in-command under instrument flight rules.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Instrument Pilot Foundations:0:10Part 3, Legalities:0:10Part 4, Risk Management:0:10Part 5, Pilot Qualifications Guided Scenario(s):0:20Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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Attention Getter:
- Discuss motivation to become an instrument rated pilot.
- Relate similar personal experiences to the student to establish rapport.
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Motivator:
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates general aviation operations in the United States.
- According to the Federal Aviation Administration, more than 50,000 people are issued one or more certificates, ranging from student to airline transport, by the age of 24.
- Pilot and instructor certificates each have unique privileges and limitations.
- Pilot certificates include student, sport, recreational, private, commercial, airline transport, and remote pilot certificates.
- Instructor certificates include flight and ground instructors.
- Certificates may have additional ratings added to them.
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.
- Aircraft Categories and Classes Supplement.
- Pilot Certificates and Ratings Supplement.
- Eligibility Checklist.
- Aeronautical Knowledge Checklist.
- Aeronautical Experience Checklist.
- Aeronautical Proficiency Requirements Checklist.
- Pilot Logbooks Supplement.
- Medical Certificate Supplement.
- Currency Supplement.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Aeronautical Decision Making Supplement.
- Register for the WINGS Program.
- Basicmed.
- Medxpress System.
- AOPA's Online Learning Course - Transitioning to Other Airplanes.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 61.
- AC 68-1.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- 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 and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Part 2, Instrument Pilot Foundations:
- Baseline the discussion by covering aircraft categories and classes.
- Introduce instrument pilot eligibility requirements and start an eligibility checklist.
- Introduce instrument pilot aeronautical knowledge requirements and start an aeronautical knowledge checklist.
- Introduce Instrument pilot aeronautical experience requirements and start an aeronautical experience checklist.
- Introduce instrument pilot flight proficiency requirements and start an aeronautical proficiency requirements checklist.
- Discuss the WINGS program and have students register if they haven't already.
- Part 3, Legalities:
- Introduce pilot logbook/recordkeeping requirements.
- Introduce instrument pilot privileges and limitations.
- Introduce documents required to exercise instrument pilot privileges.
- Introduce medical certificate requirements, including BasicMed.
- Part 4, Pilot Qualifications Risk Management:
- Introduce currency vs. proficiency and how that plays into performing self-assessments.
- Introduce considerations when operating unfamiliar aircraft or avionics.
- Part 5, Pilot Qualifications Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead a guided scenario.
- Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:
- 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.
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 relevant knowledge checks:
- Complete relevant interactive scenarios:
- Register for the WINGS program, if not done so already.
- Complete initial BasicMed requirements.
- Complete a student pilot certificate application through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website or by paper using FAA form 8710-1.
- Complete an electronic application for an FAA Medical Clearance, Medical Certificate, through the FAA's MedXPress system.
- Complete or review AOPA's Online Learning Course - Transitioning to Other Airplanes.
- 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
Instrument Rating Pilot Qualifications Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with requirements to act as pilot-in-command under instrument flight rules.
- References: 14 CFR part 61; AC 68-1; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge).
Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
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IR.I.A.K1: Certification requirements [eligibility, aeronautical knowledge], recency of experience [aeronautical experience, flight proficiency], and recordkeeping. -
IR.I.A.K2: -
IR.I.A.K3:
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
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IR.I.A.R1: -
IR.I.A.R2: -
IR.I.A.R3: Fitness for flight and physiological factors that might affect the pilot's ability to fly under instrument conditions. -
IR.I.A.R4:
Skills 1 ACS Element
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IR.I.A.S1: Apply requirements to act as pilot-in-command (PIC) under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) in a scenario given by the evaluator.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Pilot Qualifications develops the procedural discipline, instrument interpretation, and aircraft control required when outside visual references are limited or unavailable.
- Cross-checking instruments, anticipating clearances, monitoring navigation performance, and recognizing deviations early preserve situational awareness and safe margins.
- Accurate communication, checklist use, workload management, and timely missed-approach or alternate decisions connect technical proficiency with sound instrument-flight judgment.
- Continued practice with Pilot Qualifications prepares instrument pilots for more complex procedures, system failures, and real-world IFR decision-making.
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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.