Flight Training Lesson Plans
Structured curriculum for every stage of your aviation journey - from young aviators to professional IFR training
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Professional Curriculum by Training Category
Instrument Rating Lessons
Advanced IFR training for licensed pilots
Objectives
- Establish foundational knowledge in instrument flying and IFR procedures
- Practice partial and full-panel attitude flying using G1000
- Learn route planning, IFR chart organization, and simulator setup for an IFR flight
- Intro to ATC clearances, SID charts, and radio communication basics
Pilot Preparation (Homework and Study Resources)
- Plan an IFR flight from KFRG to KBED using ForeFlight:
- Practice route planning, weather briefing, and chart organization as if you were the PIC
- ForeFlight Charts Tutorial
- Watch G1000 tutorial: How to load and activate an IFR flight plan
- Download and review Instrument Rating Study Material:
- Save to iPad for offline access during sim
- Aviator.nyc Instrument Rating Files
Lesson 1: Cockpit Setup and IFR Introduction Videos
- PFD Setup For Instrument Training Flight
- Setting Your Flight Director: Heading Assignment Before Takeoff
- Loading Flight Plan | Garmin G1000 NXi
- IFR Radio Communication Setup | Flight Training New Jersey
- Stop Writing "CRAFT" on Every IFR Clearance - Here's Why!
- How to organize your charts in ForeFlight | KFRG-KBED Example
Assigned Reading
Read Instrument Flying Handbook:
- Chapter 6, Section II Airplane Attitude Instrument Flying Using an Electronic Flight Display
- Chapter 7, Section II Airplane Basic Flight Maneuvers Using an Electronic Flight Display
- Source: FAA-H-8083-15B
FAA-H-8083-16B Homework for Lesson 1
- Chapter 1 - Departure Procedures
- Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs): Pages 1-26 to 1-28
- Radar Departures and Diverse Vector Areas: Pages 1-38 to 1-42
- Chapter 4 - Instrument Approach Procedures
- Navigation and Communication Radios (p. 4-35)
- Flight Management System (FMS) and Autopilot Modes (p. 4-35 to 4-36)
- Instrument Approach Segments and Briefing (p. 4-42)
- Chapter 6 - Arrival Procedures (Optional Preview): Preview STARs sequencing
Watch (Sporty's Video): "Primary Flight Display (PFD)" and "Attitude and Heading Reference"
Briefing (Instructor-Led Topics)
- IFR Pre-Flight Planning: KFRG → KBED flight brief, Weather briefing, Organizing charts on EFB, Create Folder on ForeFlight for your IFR Training with manuals and PDFs
- IFR Clearance Procedures: Practice full readback of clearance, Setup Comm1/Comm2 and ATIS. IFR Clearance Audio + Comm Setup
Sample IFR Clearance: "November 12345, cleared to Hanscom Field airport via MERIT, Victor 16, BOSOX, direct. Climb and maintain 6,000. Departure frequency 128.125. Squawk [assigned]."
Filed Route: KFRG MERIT V16 BOSOX KBED | Altitude: 6,000 | Distance: 152 nm | ETE: 1:08
Flight (Simulator Focus)
- Attitude Flying with Partial Panel: 10/5 deg climbs, level flight with config changes, 20 deg banked turns just with Attitude indicator (all other instruments off)
- Attitude Indicator stays ON - Emphasize on Trim management: Airplane must be trimmed during flight
- Introduce Altimeter only: Practice Climb and Descent with turns
- Introduce Heading only: Practice turns with heading indicator and climbs (all other instruments off)
- Transition to Full Panel: All six instruments, Pattern A, Vertical S, S-1 maneuvers. Instrument Flight Maneuvers PDF
Post-Brief and Additional Resources
- Review: Scan technique and G1000 effectiveness, Trim and control management in maneuvers
Coming Up in Future Lessons
- VOR navigation and IFR cross-country planning
- VOR radial tracking and TO/FROM logic
- Holding entries: direct, teardrop, parallel
- Flight planning from KMMU to KABE
Homework
- Read: IFH Ch. 9: Navigation Systems (Pages 251-258), IPH 4-35 to 4-37: FMS, Autopilot Modes, and Descents
- Watch on Sporty's: Using Autopilot with G1000, VOR Navigation, Holding Procedures: Entry Types and Timing
- Review: IFR Maneuvers PDF: Teardrop Entries, 80/260, Video: IAF vs. Vectors and Approach Activation
Resources
- ForeFlight Charts Tutorial
- Loading Flight Plan | Garmin G1000 NXi
- Aviator.nyc Instrument Rating Files
- PFD Setup For Instrument Training Flight
- Setting Your Flight Director: Heading Assignment Before Takeoff
- IFR Radio Communication Setup | Flight Training New Jersey
- Stop Writing "CRAFT" on Every IFR Clearance - Here's Why!
- Source: FAA-H-8083-15B
- IFR Clearance Audio + Comm Setup
- Instrument Flight Maneuvers PDF
These lesson plans are a work in progress and are provided as supplementary training guidance only. They do not supersede FAA publications, aircraft manufacturer documentation, or your instructor's direction. Always refer to the FAA Instrument Flying Handbook, Airplane Flying Handbook, AIM, and applicable POH/AFM as the official sources.