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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

10 Lessons

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)

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

  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
  2. 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)
  3. 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

  1. Read: IFH Ch. 9: Navigation Systems (Pages 251-258), IPH 4-35 to 4-37: FMS, Autopilot Modes, and Descents
  2. Watch on Sporty's: Using Autopilot with G1000, VOR Navigation, Holding Procedures: Entry Types and Timing
  3. Review: IFR Maneuvers PDF: Teardrop Entries, 80/260, Video: IAF vs. Vectors and Approach Activation

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.

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