Private Pilot (Airplane) Constant Airspeed Climbs Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area VIII, Task B
The Private Pilot (Airplane) Constant Airspeed Climbs Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with attitude instrument flying during constant airspeed climbs solely by reference to instruments.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Constant Airspeed Climbs:0:15Part 3, Constant Airspeed Climbs Risk Management:0:20Part 4, Constant Airspeed Climbs 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.
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Motivator:
- Federal Aviation Regulation 91.7 states, "No person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in an airworthy condition."
- To understand airworthiness requirements, we must define what it means to be airworthy.
- To determine airworthiness, the pilot must examine several documents and inspection records.
- The pilot must have certain documents that demonstrate they are legal to fly.
- Aircraft can be flown with inoperative equipment.
Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
- Pilot Operating Handbook.
- Electronic Flight Bag.
- Accessible (parked) aircraft for access to:
- Airworthiness certificate.
- Registration certificates.
- Radio station license (if available).
- Pilot Operating Handbook with Weight & Balance data.
- A&P with aircraft logbook.
- Internet connection (computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.).
- Supplemental type certificate example.
- Special flight permit example.
- Airworthiness directive example.
- Service bulletin example.
- Minimum equipment list (if available).
- Kinds of equipment list (if available).
- Instructor endorsement log.
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Reference Materials:
- Airworthiness Supplement.
- Preventative Maintenance Supplement.
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance Supplement.
- Flight Deck Management Supplement.
- Trimming the Aircraft Supplement.
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.
- Part 2, Constant Airspeed Climbs:
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- Lead a guided scenario.
- Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
- Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
Guided Scenario(s)
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- 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
Private Pilot (Airplane) Constant Airspeed Climbs Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with attitude instrument flying during constant airspeed climbs solely by reference to instruments
- References: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 1 ACS Element
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PA.VIII.B.K1: Flight instruments as related to:-
PA.VIII.B.K1a: Instrument limitations and potential errors. -
PA.VIII.B.K1b: Indication of the aircraft attitude. -
PA.VIII.B.K1c: Function and operation. -
PA.VIII.B.K1d: Proper instrument cross-check techniques.
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Risk Management 8 ACS Elements
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PA.VIII.B.R1: Instrument flying hazards, including failure to maintain visual flight rules (VFR), spatial disorientation, loss of control, fatigue, stress, and emergency off airport landings. -
PA.VIII.B.R2: When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation. -
PA.VIII.B.R3: -
PA.VIII.B.R4: -
PA.VIII.A.R5: Fixation and omission. -
PA.VIII.A.R6: Instrument Interpretation. -
PA.VIII.A.R7: Control application solely by reference to instruments. -
PA.VIII.A.R8:
Skills 3 ACS Elements
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PA.VIII.B.S1: Transition to the climb pitch attitude and power setting on an assigned heading using proper instrument cross-check and interpretation, and coordinated flight control application. -
PA.VIII.B.S2: Climb at a constant airspeed to specific altitudes in straight flight and turns. -
PA.VIII.B.S3: Maintain altitude ±200 feet, heading ±20°, and airspeed ±10 knots.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Constant Airspeed Climbs 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 Constant Airspeed Climbs prepares private pilots for more demanding runway, weather, and aircraft-performance scenarios later in training.
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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.