Descending
Learn to perform glide descents, powered descents, and cruise descents. Understand the effect of flap and power on descent performance, and practice sideslipping as a method of increasing descent rate. This exercise is combined with the climbing exercise and includes a carburetor icing supplement.
Preflight Discussion
Aviator.NYC Lesson Plan
Briefing Topics
- Sectional charts
- NYC airspace: Class B, C, D, and E
- VFR waypoints
- Aircraft comparison: Cessna 172, Piper Warrior, Cirrus SR20, Diamond DA40
Simulator Session
- Chart Orientation using ForeFlight or sectional
- Simulated Airspace Entry — Class D into Class C and E
- Pattern Work with simulated radio calls
- Aircraft Familiarity — G1000 vs analog panel
- Situational Awareness — traffic and weather scan
Debrief
Review pattern consistency and aircraft selection relative to training goals.
Pilot Preparation
- Book intro flights in 2 different aircraft types
Skill Items
| Skill | D P 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
|---|---|
| Preflight Inspection | |
| Engine Starting | |
| Taxi & Before Takeoff Check | |
| Radio Communications | |
| Normal Takeoff and Climbs | |
| Climbing & Leveling Off With Turns | |
| Straight & Level Flight/Various Airspeeds | |
| Medium Turns | |
| Steep Turns | |
| Slow Flight (With & Without Flaps) | |
| Use Of Trim | |
| Use of Flaps, Mixture, Carb Heat | |
| Go Around Procedure (At Altitude) | |
| Descent & Leveling Off | |
| Introduction to Ground Ref Maneuvers | |
| Approach Planning & Altimeter Setting | |
| Normal Landing | |
| After Landing Parking and Securing |
Radio Communication Scenarios
Practice VFR radio calls for this lesson. Listen to the scenario, then formulate your response before revealing the full exchange.
You are in N106ST, preparing to land at Mansfield Lahm Municipal. You've completed your pre-landing checklist and arrived at your reporting point — 2 miles out on left base for Runway 14. Contact the tower and report in.
Report your position to the tower. Include: tower name, callsign, distance, pattern leg, runway, and intentions (full stop or touch-and-go).
- You (Pilot) "Mansfield Tower, november-one-zero-six-sierra-tango, two miles out, left base runway one-four, full stop."
- Mansfield Tower "november-one-zero-six-sierra-tango, Mansfield Tower, number two, follow the Cessna on short final. Runway one-four, cleared to land."
- You (Pilot) "Number two, traffic in sight, cleared to land runway one-four, six-sierra-tango."
The tower instructs you: "N106ST, Runway 14, line up and wait." There is a Cessna on a 5-mile final. You must taxi onto the runway and hold — you are NOT cleared for takeoff.
Read back the instruction. "Line up and wait" means taxi onto the runway and hold your position. You must read back runway and "line up and wait."
- Mansfield Tower "november-one-zero-six-sierra-tango, runway one-four, line up and wait."
- You (Pilot) "Line up and wait runway one-four, six-sierra-tango."
- Mansfield Tower "november-one-zero-six-sierra-tango, runway one-four, cleared for takeoff."
- You (Pilot) "Cleared for takeoff runway one-four, six-sierra-tango."
These lesson plans 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.