Private Pilot (Airplane) Flight Deck Management Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area II, Task B
The Private Pilot (Airplane) Flight Deck Management covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flight deck management practices.
Introduction
-
Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Flight Deck Management:0:15Part 3, Avionics and Automation:0:15Part 4, Flight Deck Management Guided Scenario(s):0:20Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
-
Attention Getter:
- Research a 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:
- Cockpit management are the actions and procedures, starting with preflight, in which all necessary equipment, documents, checklists, and navigation charts appropriate for the flight are on board and easily accessible.
- With this comes the need to keep things organized to reduce Foreign Object Debris (FOD) and confusion in flight.
Materials
-
Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
-
Optional Materials:
- Instructor endorsement log.
- Aircraft.
-
Reference Materials:
- Flight Deck Management Supplement.
- Ground Procedures Supplement.
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Checklist Usage in Aviation Supplement.
- Aeronautical Decision Making Supplement.
- Airworthiness Supplement.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Seat Belts and Restraints 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, Flight Deck Management:
- Introduce passenger preflight briefing requirements.
- Review aircraft preflight assessment flight deck considerations:
- Use of checklists.
- Up-to-date avionics.
- Securing items.
- Introduce distractions.
- Review Aeronautical Decision Making, Single-Pilot Resource Management/Crew Resource Management.
- Part 3, Avionics and Automation:
- Introduce flying with inoperative equipment.
- Introduce automation and pitfalls.
- Part 4, Flight Deck Management Guided Scenario(s).
- Part 5, 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.
Guided Scenario(s)
- Discuss varying experience of passengers, assumptions, and why there is a legal requirement to brief passengers.
- Discuss impacts of missing a checklist item.
- Discuss impact of a shifting center of gravity from cargo movement.
- Discuss potential distractions and the businest phases of flight.
- Related scenarios:
- None.
- Aids: None.
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) Flight Deck Management Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flight deck management practices.
- References: 14 CFR part 91; AC 120-71; 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.
- Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight of the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards.
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
-
PA.II.B.K1: Passenger briefing requirements, including operation and required use of safety restraint systems. -
PA.II.B.K2: -
PA.II.B.K4:
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
-
PA.II.B.R1: Use of systems or equipment, including automation and portable electronic devices. -
PA.II.B.R2: -
PA.II.B.R3: Passenger distractions.
Skills 4 ACS Elements
-
PA.II.B.S1: -
PA.II.B.S2: Conduct an appropriate passenger briefing, including identifying the pilot-in-command (PIC), use of safety belts, shoulder harnesses, doors, passenger conduct, sterile aircraft, propeller blade avoidance, and emergency procedures. -
PA.II.B.S3: Properly program and manage the aircraft's automation, as applicable. -
PA.II.B.S4: Appropriately manage risks by utilizing ADM, including SRM/CRM.
Conclusion
-
Re-Motivation:
- Flight Deck Management reinforces that safe flight depends on disciplined preparation, positive aircraft control, and attention to detail before and after the airborne portion of a flight.
- Checklists, clear communication, traffic awareness, configuration verification, and early recognition of discrepancies prevent routine ground tasks from creating avoidable hazards.
- Managing distractions and continuously confirming aircraft position, condition, and readiness turn standard procedures into effective risk controls.
- Continued practice with Flight Deck Management prepares private pilots for busier environments, unfamiliar aircraft, and more complex operations later in training.
-
Closure:
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
- Assign study materials for the next lesson.