Ground Lesson Plans

[Flying Ninja]

I'm in a bit of a rut and I hope someone can point me in the right direction. I'm attempting to get my CFI-A and have taken my FOI/AGI/FIA written exams. What I am having trouble with is the preparation of the ground lesson plans. I'm referencing the FAA's Aviation Instructor's Handbook but all I got out of it was the template. Same goes for the Jeppesen's Instructor Manual. I've spent some time online downloading other people's lesson plans and from what I gathered so far, they look very much simplistic and borderline usable. I've spoken to several CFIs and I've gotten a spectrum of responses regarding ground lesson plans. One CFI told me he walked in with three lesson plans and didn't use them to other CFIs telling me that they walked in with two three inch binders full of lesson materials. My only conclusion is that there is no formal standard as to what is expected by the FAA regarding the quality of lesson plans. Frankly, I'm not entirely sure why I need to reinvent the wheel when there are plenty of commercial grade products out there that I will most likely use anyway vs. my own home grown stuff. I've also looked into the Gleim prep book and they seem to be under the philosophy of doing what the PTS wants and nothing more, nothing less; which again, brings me back to the commercially available product vs. home grown...and what the FAA wants to see.

So my question is, what is the best way to create my own ground lesson plans? I have this idea of getting the Jeppesen syllabus, and create lesson plans based on their Private Pilot Manual, going chapter by chapter. Is this a good approach? Also, how extensive should these ground lessons be? I find myself often times copying entire paragraphs for content in my lesson plans. I'm not sure how to boil it down so that my lesson plans don't span 5 pages or more of text per lesson. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Note: I'm doing this completely on my own, without the aid or guidance from any CFI (money issues) or flight schools (had enough of their rip off schemes for one life time).

[bLizZuE]

I have a binder full of lessons. If you make them, you'll learn more then if you just buy them. Makes you a better CFI, and it's worth it.

*I recommend you just create an outline of the topic, with keywords and main points. Then you can elaborate on each item as needed. Unless you need to fully develop the material for reference.

[bap327]

Ninja, I am in the process of doing the same thing. I am deep into the AGI/FIA book now and am going about the process of getting the CFI on my own. If you want to pm maybe we can work together through the wonderful world of the internet.

[exleardriver]

use the various pts's as outline sources for what to develop your own lesson plans. create lesson plan sets for each airplane certificate and rating.

[exleardriver]

as blizzue suggests, it's worth it to make your own..consider it study time. the material will stick better in your head and you'll realize that you're learning things about each maneuver and its standards that you actually may not have when you first earned the particular certificate or rating.

[bdhill1979]

Originally Posted by exleardriver

as blizzue suggests, it's worth it to make your own..consider it study time. the material will stick better in your head and you'll realize that you're learning things about each maneuver and its standards that you actually may not have when you first earned the particular certificate or rating.

Third on making them yourself, you learn a lot more.

I had only one 3 inch binder full, and the examiner looked through all of them. He stopped at random and asked me to teach from this one or that one. I think well developed lesson plans shows them how much you prepared.

Quite frankly I have barely had to write any more lesson plans since, because I had pretty much every subject area covered.

[Dazzler]

Definately do them yourself. Over the course of time, I've put together 3 binders. One for Private and Commercial Ground, one for Private and Commercial Flight, and one for the Instrument Rating. It took a long time to do (just shy of a year), but I learned a ton, and breezed through the CFI and CFII because of it.

For each task in the PTS, I prepared two documents.

One was the Lesson Plan, with sections for: Objective, Content, Schedule, Equipment, Instructor Actions, Student Actions, Completion Standards and References.

The other was the Lesson Outline, with sections for: Introduction (Attention, Motivation, Overview), Development, and Conclusion.
Here's an example from my "Night Operations" Lesson Outline:

Introduction
------------
Attention
Flying at night requires more attention to detail to offset the increase in risk.

Motivation
Night flying offers rewards of lower winds, better airplane performance, less traffic, and easier to spot traffic.

Overview
This lesson will discuss elements of night operations.

Development
------------

Preserving night vision
1. If you need bright light, close one eye to preserve some night vision.
2. Keep cockpit and instrument lighting to a minimum.
3. Use a flashlight with a red or green lens.
4. Use supplemental oxygen. (above 5,000 feet night vision deteriorates)
5. Blink if the eyes become blurred.
6. Avoid smoking, drinking, drugs.

Conclusion
----------
1. A VFR-only pilot should avoid flying at night in MVFR conditions.
2. Give your eyes time to adapt to darkness.
3. Use off center viewing.
4. Do a thorough preflight to include lights and electrical system.
5. Place greater emphasis on flight instruments at night.
6. Use the runway edge lights and end lights to judge height and sink rates.


Hope that helps!
And by the way -yes, I do still use my lesson plans on a day-to-day basis in my flight instructing.