Pilot Qualifications
Lesson Plan

Attention:

  • Discuss motivation to become an instrument rated pilot
  • Relate similar personal experiences

Motivator:

  • In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration regulates general aviation privileges
  • Certificates are broken up into pilot, and Instructor certificates, each with unique privileges and limitations
    • Pilot certificates include: student, sport, recreational, private, commercial, airline transport, remote pilot certificates
    • Instructor certificates include: flight and ground instructiors
  • Additionally, ratings can be placed upon these certificates
    • Ratings are numerous, but related to the aircraft flown, most commonly airplanes, rotorcraft, gliders, etc., but may also be specific to an individual aircraft like a 787

Overview:

Topic:
Time:
Introduction:
0:02
Pilot certificates & ratings:
0:10
Eligibility information:
0:02
Aeronautical knowledge:
0:02
Aeronautical experience & flight proficiency:
0:10
Privileges & limitations:
0:02
Required documents:
0:02
Pilot logbook/record keeping:
0:05
Medical certificate/BasicMed:
0:08
Currency vs. proficiency:
0:02
Review (quiz):
0:05
Total Ground Time:
0:50

Required Materials:

  • Paper, Pen, Marker, Whiteboard, Federal Aviation Regulations, Logbook

Instructor Actions:

Student Actions:

  • Complete assigned reading (see content above)
  • Ask pertinent questions
  • Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate

Instrument Rating - Pilot Qualifications Airman Certification Standards:

  • To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with the requirements to act as PIC under instrument flight rules
  • References: 14 CFR part 61; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-15, AC 68-1

Pilot Qualifications Knowledge:

The applicant must demonstrate an understanding of:

Pilot Qualifications Risk Management:

The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks, encompassing:

  • IR.I.A.R1:

    Failure to distinguish proficiency versus currency

  • IR.I.A.R2:

    Failure to set personal minimums

  • IR.I.A.R3:

    Failure to ensure fitness for flight and physiological factors that might affect the pilot’s ability to fly under instrument conditions

  • IR.I.A.R4:

    Flying unfamiliar airplanes, or operating with unfamiliar flight display systems and avionics

Pilot Qualifications Skills:

The applicant demonstrates the ability to:

  • IR.I.A.S1:

    Apply requirements to act as PIC under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) in a scenario given by the evaluator

Re-Motivation:

  • With a foundation on the necessary requirements to meet certification standards, a path to completion can be envisioned

Closure:

  • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson
  • Assign study materials for the next lesson