CFI Lesson Plan Outline
The Flight Instructor Practical Test Standards (PTS) book provides the topics that must be covered on the Flight Instructor Practical Test. Therefore, the most efficient way to plan lessons is to use the PTS as a guide. However, several of the tasks are redundant, and several do not provide enough guidance to develop sufficiently detailed lesson plans. This list, used in conjunction with the current PTS, should assist a CFI applicant in developing the correct lesson plans. In developing lesson plans, try to include material appropriate to both the Private Pilot and Commercial Pilot levels, using the appropriate PTSs for guidance. Websites: The website contains Aircraft link: Airplane Flying Handbook Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook Aviation link: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Aeronautical Information Manual (hereafter “AIM”) Pilot Safety Brochures o Alcohol and Flying: A Deadly Combination o Carbon Monoxide: A Deadly Menace o Altitude-Induced Decompression Sickness o Hypoxia o Medications and Flying o Spatial Disorientation: Visual Illusions o Spatial Disorientation: Why You Shouldn’t Fly by the Seat of Your Pants The website contains Advisory Circulars (hereafter “AC”) Federal Aviation Regulations (hereafter “FARs”) The PTSs can be found at
Ground Lessons
II. Area of Operation: Technical Subject Areas
A. Task: Aeromedical Factors This lesson can be planned directly from the PTS. Redundancies: This is the correct lesson in which to introduce the vestibular system. However, you will cover the vestibular and vision illusions in both the Visual Scanning and Collision avoidance lesson and in the Night Operations lesson, so they can be omitted here.
References: AIM Chapter 8, Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 15, Alcohol and Flying: A Deadly Combination, Carbon Monoxide: A Deadly Menace, Altitude-Induced Decompression Sickness, Hypoxia, Medications and Flying, FARs. B. Task: Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance This lesson can be planned directly from the PTS. Redundancies: See Aeromedical Factors. References: AIM 8-1-6, AIM 8-1-8, AC 90-48: Pilot’s Role in Collision Avoidance, Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 15, Spatial Disorientation: Visual Illusions, Spatial Disorientation: Why You Shouldn’t Fly by the Seat of Your Pants, FARs. C. Task: Principles of Flight Here is a suggested outline for Principles of Flight I. Lift a. Newton’s laws and lift b. Bernoulli’s principle and lift II. Weight III. Thrust IV. Drag a. Parasite b. Induced V. Wingtip vortices VI. Ground effect VII. Stalls VIII. Axes IX. Design characteristics a. Planforms b. Stability / Maneuverability / Controllability X. Stability a. Dynamic b. Static c. Design characteristics influencing stability on each axis i. Longitudinal ii. Lateral iii. Vertical d. Yaw / Roll coupling i. Dutch roll ii. Spiral instability XI. Forces in turns a. Load factor XII. Forces in climbs and descents XIII. Propeller principles XIV. Turning tendencies a. P-Factor b. Torque c. Spiraling slipstream d. Gyroscopic precession XV. Load factor a. Stall speed b. Bank angle c. V-G diagram d. Maneuvering speed
References: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 2 and 3, (follow the “Forces on an Airplane” arrows at the bottom of each page), Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators. D. Task: Airplane Flight Controls This lesson can be planned directly from the PTS. Be sure you include trim and leading edge devices. Chapter 4 in the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge is a good guide. Redundancies: Explain the flight controls in detail in this lesson. Then you can reference this lesson during the Operation of Systems lesson.
References: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 4, Airplane Flying Handbook Chapter 11. E. Task: Airplane Weight and Balance This lesson can be planned directly from the PTS. Redundancies: You can refer to your lesson on Principles of Flight to discuss the effects of CG location. References: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 8, Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook, FARs. F. Task: Navigation and Flight Planning Include tasks 1-5, 7-10, 12. During this lesson, you should explain the fundamentals of charts, flight planning, and how to complete a navigation log and flight plan form, and how to use the flight computer. Redundancies: Do not teach performance planning, weather, or radio navigation during this lesson; each has its own lesson. References: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 14, FARs. G. Task: Night Operations This lesson can be planned directly from the PTS. Redundancies: See Aeromedical Factors. References: AIM 8-1-6, Airplane Flying Handbook Chapter 10, Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 15, Spatial Disorientation: Visual Illusions, FARs. H. Task: High Altitude Operations This lesson can be planned directly from the PTS. Redundancies: You have already taught many of these details in the Aeromedical Factors lesson; review the topics and move on to the regulatory differences, required training, and other topics. References: AIM 8-1-2, Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 5. Altitude-Induced Decompression Sickness, Hypoxia, FARs. I. Task: Federal Aviation Regulations and Publications
This lesson can be planned directly from the PTS. References: Explicitly named in the PTS, Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 7. J. Task: National Airspace System
This lesson can be planned directly from the PTS. References: FARs, Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 13, AIM Chapter 3. K. Task: Navigation Systems and Radar Services Teach VORs, NDBs, GPS, DME, mention RNAV and LORAN.
Redundancies: See Navigation and Flight Planning. References: AIM Chapter 1, Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 14. L. Task: Logbook Entries and Certificate Endorsements This lesson is given by the CFI to the applicant. Bring a copy of AC 61-65D. References: FARs, AC 61-65D. Homework: Following this lesson, prepare your own document listing the endorsements in order to address the shortcomings of AC 61-65D.
II. Area of Operation: Preflight Preparation
A. Task: Certificates and Documents This lesson can be planned directly from the PTS. Redundancies: Logbook Entries and Certificate Endorsements has some overlap with element 1. However, because the CFI taught the previous lesson, that should not be a factor. Also, airworthiness issues (operations with and without an MEL, for example) are covered in Airworthiness Requirements. References: FARs, AC 61-65D. Weather Theory This lesson is not in the PTS, but is an important lesson to have planned. Use the references to help plan the lesson. References: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 10, AC 00-6A: Aviation Weather, AIM 7-1. B. Task: Weather Information This lesson can be planned directly from the PTS. References: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 11, AC 00-45: Aviation Weather Services, AIM 7-1. C. Task: Operation of Systems This lesson can be planned directly from the PTS. Be certain to discuss both the airplane you’re using and also the different systems available on other airplanes. For example, if you’re using the 172RG, describe the carbureted engine, but also assure you are prepared to discuss fuel injection. Redundancies: Aircraft Flight Controls already defined the types of control surfaces, now you should tailor the discussion to the aircraft you’re using. References: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 5 & 6, Airplane Flight Manual. D. Task: Performance and Limitations This lesson can be planned directly from the PTS. Redundancies: You have already described some of the aerodynamic factors in Principles of Flight. References: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 9, Airplane Flight Manual, FARs.
E. Task: Airworthiness Requirements This lesson can be planned directly from the PTS. Redundancies: See Certificates and Documents. References: FARs.
Maneuvers Lessons
These lessons are given on the ground and in flight. They should be taught on the ground prior to being given in flight, but need not be given during the same instructional period. You will begin flying at about this time in the course—at first you will teach a basic maneuver on the ground and during the flight, then improve your proficiency at the more advanced maneuvers. The typical way to plan a maneuvers lesson is by referencing the CFI PTS for Elements and Common Errors, the Private or Commercial PTS for Completion Standards, and the Airplane Flying Handbook for a description of the goals and techniques for performing the maneuver. Because the lessons are fairly short, it’s best to present many at a time during a longer ground session, or a few at a time prior to or after a flight lesson. Below they are grouped logically by topic (mostly in PTS order). Preflight Inspection Cockpit Management Engine Starting Taxiing Airport and Runway Markings and Lighting Before Takeoff Check Radio Communications and ATC Light Signals Normal and Crosswind Takeoff and Climb Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb Soft-Field Takeoff and Climb Traffic Patterns Normal and Crosswind Approach and Landing Slip to a Landing Go-Around/Rejected Landing Short-Field Approach and Landing Soft-Field Approach and Landing Power-off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing Straight-and-Level Flight Level Turns Straight Climbs and Climbing Turns Straight Descents and Descending Turns Steep Turns Straight-and-Level Flight (IR) Constant Airspeed Climbs (IR) Constant Airspeed Descents (IR) Turns to Headings (IR) Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes (IR) Emergency Approach and Landing Systems and Equipment Malfunctions Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear Postflight Procedures Steep Spirals Chandelles Lazy Eights Rectangular Course S-Turns Across a Road Turns Around a Point Eights on Pylons Maneuvering During Slow Flight Power-On Stalls Power-Off Stalls Crossed-Control Stalls Secondary Stalls Spins