How to Make a Plan of Action
Outline:
Part 61 FARs
Overview: This section references the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) under Part 61, which govern the certification of pilots and flight instructors. These regulations are relevant for setting up and understanding practical test scenarios.
What is a Plan of Action (POA)?
Definition: A Plan of Action (POA) is a written document that outlines how a practical test scenario will test each task and element in the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) or Practical Test Standards (PTS).
Requirement: A DPE (Designated Pilot Examiner) must use a POA for each practical test to ensure all tasks and elements are covered during the test.
Essential Skills for Creating a POA
Creating a Realistic Scenario: A good POA should include a scenario that accurately reflects the skills to be tested.
Show Knowledge/Risk/Skill Elements: The POA should highlight the knowledge, risk assessment, and skill elements tested by the scenario.
Ensure Full Coverage: The scenario should cover all required elements in the ACS or PTS. If necessary, create or modify additional scenarios to ensure complete coverage.
Preparation Materials
Essential References: Use the ACS or PTS relevant to the practical test being conducted.
Additional Resources: The POA should also reference preparation materials like Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs), charts, POHs (Pilot Operating Handbooks), weather data, etc.
Example of an Initial CFI Scenario
Cross-Country Flight: An example is provided where a flight instructor prepares a cross-country (XC) flight from Albuquerque, NM (KABQ) to Las Cruces, NM (KLRU).
Key Points Covered:
Pilotage and Dead Reckoning: The scenario makes it easy to discuss pilotage and dead reckoning.
Airspace: Covers different airspace classes, including Class C, E, and G, and features like MOAs (Military Operations Areas), restricted areas, and Class D airspace.
Diversion: The scenario includes a diversion to Roswell (KROW), a Class D airport.
Risk and Performance: Discussion of risk assessment before and during flight, as well as performance calculations for takeoff, landing, and cruise.
Addressing Endorsements and Qualifications
Endorsements: The POA should specify what endorsements are required for the flight, especially for a student pilot, including endorsements for cross-country flights.
Evaluating Risk: Discusses how to assess risk before and during the flight.
Evaluating Scenarios and Questions
Good Questions: The POA includes various types of questions, progressing from rote knowledge (e.g., "What is...") to understanding (e.g., "How or Why") and application (e.g., "Describe/Explain").
Testing Mantra: The principle that testing should continue until you are confident in the student’s ability to perform the scenario successfully.
Spreadsheet for Task and Element Coverage
Tracking: A spreadsheet can be used to track which tasks and elements from the ACS or PTS have been covered in each scenario. It ensures that nothing is missed and helps instructors ensure comprehensive preparation.
Using a POA for Teaching
Mini POAs: Instructors should create mini POAs at appropriate stages of training to help students solve realistic scenarios.
Teaching Risk Assessment: The POA can be used to teach students how to assess and manage risk during flight.
Evaluating Results
Describing, Explaining, Practicing, Performing: The POA includes steps to evaluate a student’s ability to describe, explain, practice, and eventually perform the scenario independently.
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