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Private pilot · ACS PA.XII.A · Instructor lesson plan

After Landing, Parking, and Securing

Student pack: Train: After Landing, Parking, and Securing · Full lesson: Prepare guide

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1 · Objective

By the end of this lesson your student can explain after landing, parking, and securing in their own words and apply it to a realistic flight, to the ACS standard for PA.XII.A.

Why it matters for safety: Propeller strikes, unsecured airplanes in wind, and undocumented problems that the next pilot flies with all happen after the flight is "over". A disciplined shutdown, secure tie-down and honest write-up protect people on the ramp and the next pilot.

2 · Assign before the lesson

Pre-work: the free Train pack, After Landing, Parking, and Securing. Clear the runway, shut down by the checklist, secure the airplane, and write up anything wrong.

Anyone can open this link, no account needed. To see who trained it on your roster, use a free instructor account.

Pack: pilotprep.pro/train/ppl/after-landing-parking-and-securing · Full lesson: pilotprep.pro/prepare/ppl/after-landing-parking-and-securing

3 · Teach sequence

Key points to land

  • The flight isn’t over at touchdown: after clearing the runway, stop beyond the hold line and do the after-landing checklist.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Ground Operations (after landing, parking and securing))
  • Shut down with the checklist: avionics off, a quick magneto grounding check, mixture to idle cutoff, magnetos off once the engine stops, key out, master off.(Your airplane's POH/AFM)
  • Park where the propeller blast won’t hit people, other airplanes or hangars, where the airplane can be tied down, and, whenever possible, headed into the existing or forecast wind.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Ground Operations (after landing, parking and securing))
  • Secure it: control lock, chocks, tie-downs, pitot cover, doors locked. Fuel as your operator wants: full tanks reduce condensation.(PHAK (FAA-H-8083-25C), Aircraft Systems (fuel))
  • Do a postflight walk-around and write up any discrepancies on the operator's squawk sheet, and tell the owner or operator; the maintenance logbooks are for maintenance entries. Don’t leave a problem for the next pilot to discover.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Ground Operations (after landing, parking and securing); 14 CFR 91.405)
  • Passengers stay seated until the propeller stops, and are escorted on the ramp away from propellers.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Ground Operations (after landing, parking and securing))
  • Follow the airport’s security procedures: gates, badges and locking the airplane.(TSA, Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airport Operators and Users)

Shutdown, securing and the postflight

  • After landing, clear the runway completely, come to a complete stop past the hold line, and only then run the after-landing checklist (flaps up, lights and transponder as appropriate). Identify the flap control positively before you touch it: reaching for controls while still moving has raised landing gear instead of flaps.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Ground Operations (after landing, parking and securing))
  • Parking: whenever possible, head into the existing or forecast wind (especially with strong winds forecast or overnight), and let the airplane roll straight ahead to straighten the nosewheel before stopping.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Ground Operations (after landing, parking and securing))
  • Shutdown per the POH: parking brake set, throttle to idle (about 1,000 RPM), avionics (and alternator) off, a momentary magneto grounding check at idle, mixture to idle cutoff, magnetos off only once the engine has stopped, key out, master off; note the Hobbs and tach times; then chocks, and the parking brake released or left set as the POH directs.(Your airplane's POH/AFM)
  • Secure: control lock, chocks, tie-downs at every available anchor point, pitot and engine covers as needed, doors locked. Chains don't stretch: leave some slack so the airplane can move a little without structural damage; flexible ropes can be snugged.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Ground Operations (after landing, parking and securing))
  • Postflight walk-around: oil or fuel streaks at the cowling and breather, fuel stains under the wings and tanks, the gear, tires and brakes (hydraulic leaks), obstructions in the cowling inlets, damage, and anything that changed in flight. Check the oil and service it to the POH level, and note the servicing needed (fuel and oil) with any discrepancies and the Hobbs and tach times.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Ground Operations (after landing, parking and securing))
  • Record every discrepancy on the operator's squawk or discrepancy sheet and tell the owner or operator; don't write in the airframe or engine logbooks, whose entries belong to maintenance. The duties: you may not operate an unairworthy airplane (91.7); the owner or operator is responsible for having discrepancies repaired (91.405). If it makes the airplane unairworthy, mark it so.(14 CFR 91.7; 91.405)

Ramp safety and security

  • The ramp is busy and distracting: finish the checklists and the walk-around before talking to people or packing up.(Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A))
  • Keep passengers seated until the engine is stopped, then escort them away from propellers and other airplanes’ paths.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Ground Operations (after landing, parking and securing))
  • Follow the airport’s security procedures: badges and gates, locking the airplane, and reporting anything suspicious.(TSA, Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airport Operators and Users)

4 · Ask your student

In order: recall, then understanding, then applying it. Move up only when the answer shows it.

  1. Recall · What should you do with a problem you noticed during the flight?

    A strong answer: Write it up on the squawk sheet or maintenance log and tell the owner or operator.

  2. Understand · Why fill the tanks after the last flight of the day?

    A strong answer: Full tanks leave less air in the tank, so less water condenses into the fuel.

  3. Apply · Your passenger wants to hop out as soon as you stop on the ramp with the engine running. What do you do?

    A strong answer: Tell them to stay seated until the engine is shut down and the propeller has stopped, then walk them away from the propeller.

Scenarios to talk through

  • You notice an oil streak on the cowling during the postflight. What do you do?

    Sound decision: Write it up on the squawk sheet and tell the owner or operator. Don’t assume the next pilot will find it.

  • Strong winds are forecast tonight. How do you secure the airplane?

    Sound decision: Park into the wind, control lock in, chocks, tie-downs at every anchor point (chains with some slack, ropes snug), and consider a hangar if available.

  • You park facing a hangar with its door open. What’s the issue?

    Sound decision: Your propeller blast at startup or shutdown can blow debris into it or people inside. Park so the blast goes somewhere safe.

5 · Common student errors

  • Skipping the shutdown checklist.

    Why it matters: Magnetos left on make the propeller dangerous.

    How to correct it: Use the checklist every time.

  • Not documenting a discrepancy.

    Why it matters: The next pilot flies with it.

    How to correct it: Write it up and tell the operator.

  • Rushing passengers off the airplane.

    Why it matters: Propeller injuries.

    How to correct it: Wait for the prop to stop, then escort.

6 · Completion standard

  • Your student answers each "Ask your student" question in their own words, up to the Apply level, without prompting.
  • They talk through the scenarios and reach a safe, legal decision, explaining why.
  • They complete the pack’s quick check and can say what they flagged.

Area trained? Close out with a practice oral focused on PA.XII.A: pilotprep.pro/exam?exam=PPL&focus=PA.XII.A

7 · References

  • Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Ground Operations
  • 14 CFR Part 91, 91.405
  • TSA, Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airport Operators and Users
  • Private Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-6C), Area XII
  • Your airplane's POH/AFM, normal procedures (after landing, shutdown, securing)
  • Airman Certification Standards, task PA.XII.A

PilotPrep instructor lesson plan, from the After Landing, Parking, and Securing lesson (checked against current FAA sources 2026-11-12). A study and teaching aid, not FAA guidance; teach to your own judgment and the current ACS.