Flight Instructor for Airplane CategoryFAA-S-ACS-25
Area of Operation XI
Basic Instrument Maneuvers
5 Tasks
Task A Straight-and-Level Flight
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-16, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/ AFM
Objective
To determine the applicant understands attitude instrument flying during straight-and-level flight, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction, solely by reference to instruments.
Knowledge
Flight instruments as they relate to:
a. Instrument limitations and potential errors
b. Indication of the aircraft attitude
c. Function and operation
d. Proper instrument cross-check techniques
Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management
Instrument flying hazards, including failure to maintain visual flight rules (VFR), spatial disorientation, loss of control, fatigue, stress, and emergency off airport landings.
When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.
Collision hazards.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Fixation and omission.
Instrument Interpretation.
Control application solely by reference to instruments.
Trimming the aircraft.
Skills
Maintain straight-and-level flight using proper instrument cross-check and interpretation, and coordinated control application.
Maintain altitude ±100 feet, heading ±10°, and airspeed ±10 knots.
Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Task B Constant Airspeed Climbs
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-16, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/ AFM
Objective
To determine the applicant understands attitude instrument flying during constant airspeed climbs, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction, solely by reference to instruments.
Knowledge
Flight instruments as they relate to:
a. Instrument limitations and potential errors
b. Indication of the aircraft attitude
c. Function and operation
d. Proper instrument cross-check techniques
Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management
Instrument flying hazards, including failure to maintain visual flight rules (VFR), spatial disorientation, loss of control, fatigue, stress, and emergency off airport landings.
When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.
Collision hazards.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Fixation and omission.
Instrument Interpretation.
Control application solely by reference to instruments.
Trimming the aircraft.
Skills
Transition to the climb pitch attitude and power setting on an assigned heading using proper instrument cross-check and interpretation, and coordinated flight control application.
Climb at a constant airspeed to specific altitudes in straight flight and turns.
Level off at the assigned altitude and maintain altitude ±100 feet, heading ±10°, and airspeed ±10 knots.
Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Task C Constant Airspeed Descents
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-16, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/ AFM
Objective
To determine the applicant understands attitude instrument flying during constant airspeed descents, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction, solely by reference to instruments.
Knowledge
Flight instruments as they relate to:
a. Instrument limitations and potential errors
b. Indication of the aircraft attitude
c. Function and operation
d. Proper instrument cross-check techniques
Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management
Instrument flying hazards, including failure to maintain visual flight rules (VFR), spatial disorientation, loss of control, fatigue, stress, and emergency off airport landings.
When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.
Collision hazards.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Fixation and omission.
Instrument Interpretation.
Control application solely by reference to instruments.
Trimming the aircraft.
Skills
Transition to the descent pitch attitude and power setting on an assigned heading using proper instrument cross-check and interpretation, and coordinated flight control application.
Descend at a constant airspeed to specific altitudes in straight flight and turns.
Level off at the assigned altitude and maintain altitude ±100 feet, heading ±10°, and airspeed ±10 knots.
Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Task D Turns to Headings
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-16, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/ AFM
Objective
To determine the applicant understands attitude instrument flying during turns to headings, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction, solely by reference to instruments.
Knowledge
Flight instruments as they relate to:
a. Instrument limitations and potential errors
b. Indication of the aircraft attitude
c. Function and operation
d. Proper instrument cross-check techniques
Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management
Instrument flying hazards, including failure to maintain visual flight rules (VFR), spatial disorientation, loss of control, fatigue, stress, and emergency off airport landings.
When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.
Collision hazards.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Fixation and omission.
Instrument Interpretation.
Control application solely by reference to instruments.
Trimming the aircraft.
Skills
Turns to headings, maintain altitude ±100 feet, maintain a standard rate turn, roll out on the assigned heading ±10°, and maintain airspeed ±10 knots.
Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Task E Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-16, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/ AFM
Objective
To determine the applicant understands attitude instrument flying while recovering from unusual attitudes, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction, solely by reference to instruments.
Knowledge
Prevention of unusual attitudes, including flight causal, physiological, and environmental factors, and system and equipment failures.
Procedures for recovery from unusual attitudes in flight.
Procedures available to safely regain visual meteorological conditions (VMC) after flight into inadvertent instrument meteorological conditions or unintended instrument meteorological conditions (IIMC)/(UIMC).
Appropriate use of automation, if applicable.
Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management
Situations that could lead to loss of control in-flight (LOC-I) or unusual attitudes in-flight (e.g., stress, task saturation, inadequate instrument scan distractions, and spatial disorientation).
Assessment of the unusual attitude.
Control input errors, inducing undesired aircraft attitudes.
Collision hazards.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Interpreting flight instruments.
Control application solely by reference to instruments.
Operating envelope considerations.
Skills
Use proper instrument cross-check and interpretation to identify an unusual attitude (including both nose-high and nose-low) in flight, and apply the appropriate flight control, power input, and aircraft configuration in the correct sequence, to return to a stabilized level flight attitude.
Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.