Lesson Plans to Train Like You Fly

A flight instructor's reference for scenario-based training

Arlynn McMahon

• Publisher: Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc.
• Year: 2017
• eBook ISBN: 9781619544918
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Aviation
• Index: Technology & Engineering

This guide for flight instructors presents lesson plans in the form of scenario-based "maneuver briefings." A rich resource for active instructors, these lesson plans are also helpful to CFI applicants preparing their own materi­als. Lesson Plans can also be used as a companion book for flight instructors who are following the principles of scenario-based training taught in Arlynn McMahon's first book, Train Like You Fly: A Flight Instructor's Guide to Scenario-Based Training. Lesson Plans is designed to work in complement with any syllabus and the FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS). It explains how to teach each maneuver, making the flight instructor's favorite syllabus curriculum even more effec­tive and enjoyable for flight students. Each maneuver briefing features a series of drawings instructors can discuss with their students or replicate in the classroom and an accompanying script to teach from, which includes a story or motivation on the why and how the maneuver is applied in actual flight. Common errors are discussed in the form of keys to success, to posi­tively inspire students to become sound aviation citizens.In addition to the lesson plans, the book includes templates, checklists, and student assignments to build proper flight preparation habits and help determine the student's readiness to act as pilot-in-command. These tools are especially helpful to the flight instructor ahead of the major flight training milestones, such as first solo, solo cross-country, and the checkride.

This chapter contains maneuver briefings on the subject of traffic patterns.

AREA OF OPERATION:

Preflight Lesson on a Maneuver to be Performed in Flight

Note: Evaluator shall select at least one maneuver and ask the applicant to present a preflight lesson on the selected maneuver as the lesson would be taught to a student.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine that the applicant exhibits instructional knowledge of the selected maneuver by:

1. Stating the purpose.

2. Giving an accurate, comprehensive oral description, including the elements and common errors.

3. Using instructional aids, as appropriate.

4. Describing the recognition, analysis, and correction of common errors.

Traffic Patterns

Suggested Materials: Whiteboard and markers, POH, A/FD, and AC 90-66.

INTRODUCTION

Spend at least three minutes introducing the maneuver to the student. Describe the situations that are motivation for learning it, as well as the objectives to strive for.

Motivation

The traffic pattern is a standardized rectangle around the runway. It provides an orderly flow of traffic for aircraft arriving, departing and operating in the vicinity of an airport. At the same time, the traffic pattern provides a flow of cockpit tasks the pilot must complete in preparation for takeoff and/or landing.

Objective

In this lesson you learn the correct procedures to arrive at, depart from, or operate around an airport.

CHALKBOARD TALK

Elements of the Maneuver

First, a look at the universal elements of the maneuver—those elements that are not aircraft-specific.

Pattern leg names:

• downwind

• base

• final

• crosswind

Takeoff begins before leaving the dispatch area. The first thing a pilot does in preparation for takeoff is research:

• Research in A/FD,

- Some airports have special procedures including noise abatement or obstacle clearance.

- Traffic pattern altitude—what it is, why it’s important; in the A/FD, or 1,000 ft AGL.

- Who will you communicate with—
AWOS/ATIS/ASOS (for the latest information about the airport).
ATC/CTAF/into the blind (who you might talk to, around the airport).

- Identify notable obstacles and wires, and the procedures to avoid them.

• The active runway should be the one most aligned with wind.

• Turns are normally to the left.

• Major runway markings and lighting.

Add the cockpit tasks and aircraft configuration changes to complete along each leg:

Set up—about 10 miles outside a nontowered field. At controlled fields it depends on the airspace.

- Listen to ...

Table of contents

• Copyright
• Foreword
• SECTION I: EFFECTIVE LESSON PLANS FOR FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS
• SECTION II: MANEUVER BRIEFINGS WITH A SCENARIO FOCUS
• SECTION III: HOW TO USE ANY GENERIC, COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SYLLABUSFOR SCENARIO-BASED TRAINING
• Risk Management Preflight Checklist