Instrument Rating Aircraft Flight Instruments & Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan
Instrument Rating • ACS Area II, Task B
The Private Pilot (Airplane) Straight and Level Flight Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flying during straight-and-level flight solely by reference to instruments.
Instrument Rating Aircraft Flight Instruments & Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Cockpit Instrumentation Review:1:15Part 3, Straight and Level Flight:1:15Part 4, Straight and Level Flight 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:
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- 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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Instrument Rating Aircraft Flight Instruments & Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan
Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Internet connection (computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.).
- Phone (for preflight briefing).
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
- Pilot Operating Handbook, Electronic Flight Bag.
- Instructor endorsement log.
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Reference Materials:
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Pitot Static and Vacuum Systems Supplement.
- Airspeed Indicator Supplement.
- Altimeter Supplement.
- Vertical Speed Indicator Supplement.
- Gyroscopic Systems Supplement.
- Attitude Indicator Supplement.
- Heading Indicator Supplement.
- Avionics and Instruments Supplement.
- Flight Deck Management Supplement.
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- AOPA's Online Learning Course - Weather or Not Thunderstorm Challenge.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
Instrument Rating Aircraft Flight Instruments & Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan
Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Introduce pitot-static system
- Introduce pitot-static failure modes (Pitot-tube blockages, static port blockages.
- Disucss assocaited pitot-static system instruments:
- Discuss Airspeed Indiator:
- Review airspeed indicator function.
- Review airspeed indicator readings.
- Review airspeed indicator malfunctions & anamalies.
- Discuss Altimeter:
- Review altimeter function.
- Review altimeter readings.
- Review altimeter malfunctions & anamalies.
- Discuss Vertical Speed Indicator:
- Review vertical speed indicator function.
- Review vertical speed indicator readings.
- Review vertical speed indicator malfunctions & anamalies.
- Discuss Airspeed Indiator:
- Explain how pressure changes affect instrument indications.
- Demonstrate normal indications during climbs, descents, and level flight.
- Discuss common failures (pitot blockage, static blockage) and resulting instrument errors.
- Require the student to identify failure indications and corrective actions.
- Introduce gyroscopic instruments (attitude indicator, heading indicator, turn coordinator). (ACS: IR.II.B.K1b)
- Discuss Attitude Indicator:
- Review attitude indicator function.
- Review attitude indicator readings.
- Review attitude indicator malfunctions & anamalies.
- Discuss Attitude Indicator:
- Review attitude indicator function.
- Review attitude indicator readings.
- Review attitude indicator malfunctions & anamalies.
- Discuss Heading Indicator:
- Review heading indicator function.
- Review heading indicator readings.
- Review heading indicator malfunctions & anamalies.
- Explain rigidity in space and precession.
- Discuss vacuum and electric system dependencies.
- Demonstrate normal instrument indications and scan integration.
- Discuss instrument failure scenarios (vacuum failure, gyro tumble).
- Require the student to identify unreliable instruments and transition to partial panel.
- Introduce navigation systems (VOR, GPS, RNAV).
- Discuss interpretation of navigation displays and CDI indications.
- Explain proper setup and verification of navigation equipment before flight.
- Discuss limitations of navigation systems, including signal loss, database errors, and equipment malfunctions.
- Demonstrate cross-checking navigation sources to verify accuracy.
- Demonstrate proper instrument cross-check using primary/supporting method.
- Explain instrument interpretation versus raw data reading.
- Discuss integration of flight instruments and navigation instruments during IFR operations.
- Require the student to interpret combined instrument indications to determine aircraft attitude and position.
- Discuss risks associated with instrument failure and unreliable indications.
- Discuss spatial disorientation resulting from improper instrument interpretation.
- Discuss risks associated with task saturation and loss of situational awareness.
- Discuss overreliance on automation and failure to cross-check instruments.
- Discuss operating unfamiliar avionics systems and associated risks.
- Require the student to explain instrument indications during various phases of flight.
- Present abnormal scenarios (blocked pitot, vacuum failure, GPS outage).
- Have the student diagnose instrument failures using cross-check.
- Require the student to verbalize corrective actions and backup strategies.
- Lead a guided scenario.
- Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
- Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
Instrument Rating Aircraft Flight Instruments & Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan
Guided Scenario(s)
- How can a pilot recognize they are in straight and level flight? What are the instrument indications?
- How may a pilot perform a cross-check of the available information to observe straight and level flight as well as make corrections for any deviation?
- As a pilot travels over a distance, what instrument limitations must be compensated for?
- While in cruise flight, the pilot decides to slow down
- What is happening to the aircraft's thrust? Drag? Pitch? AOA?
Instrument Rating Aircraft Flight Instruments & Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan
Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Complete a personal weather minimums worksheet.
- Complete or review AOPA's Online Learning Course - Weather or Not Thunderstorm Challenge.
- Ask pertinent questions.
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
Instrument Rating Aircraft Flight Instruments & Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan
Airman Certification Standards
Instrument Rating Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with managing instruments appropriate for an IFR flight.
- References: 14 CFR part 91; AC 90-100, AC 90-105, AC 90-107, AC 91-78, AC 91.21-1; AIM; 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.II.B.K1: Operation of the aircraft's applicable flight instrument system(s), including:.-
IR.II.B.K1a: Pitot-static instrument system and associated instruments. -
IR.II.B.K1b: Gyroscopic/electric/vacuum instrument system and associated instruments. -
IR.II.B.K1c: Electrical systems, electronic flight instrument displays [primary flight display (PFD), multifunction display (MFD)], transponder and automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B). -
IR.II.B.K1d: Magnetic compass.
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IR.II.B.K2: Operation of the aircraft's applicable navigation system(s), including:.-
IR.II.B.K2a: Very high frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR), distance measuring equipment (DME), instrument landing system (ILS), marker beacon receiver/indicators. -
IR.II.B.K2b: Area navigation (RNAV), global positioning system (GPS), Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), flight management system (FMS), autopilot.
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IR.II.B.K3: Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
! Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
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IR.II.B.R1: Monitoring and management of automated systems. -
IR.II.B.R2: Difference between approved and non-approved navigation devices. -
IR.II.B.R3: Modes of flight and navigation instruments, including failure conditions. -
IR.II.B.R4: Use of an electronic flight bag. -
IR.II.B.R5: Use of navigation databases.
✓ Skills 2 ACS Elements
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IR.II.B.R1: Operate and manage installed instruments and navigation equipment. -
IR.II.B.R2: Operate and manage an applicant supplied electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
Instrument Rating Aircraft Flight Instruments & Navigation Equipment Lesson Plan
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment 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 Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment prepares instrument pilots for more complex procedures, system failures, and real-world IFR decision-making.
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Closure:
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
- Assign study materials for the next lesson.