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Private pilot · ACS PA.VIII.F · Instructor lesson plan

Radio Communications, Navigation Systems/Facilities, and Radar Services

Student pack: Train: Radio Communications, Navigation Systems/Facilities, and Radar Services · Full lesson: Prepare guide

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1 · Objective

By the end of this lesson your student can explain radio communications, navigation systems/facilities, and radar services in their own words, apply it in a realistic situation, and fly it to the ACS standard for PA.VIII.F.

Why it matters for safety: A VFR pilot in cloud needs help, and the radio is the way to get it. But fiddling with radios and navigators while on instruments is when control is lost. This task trains doing both: keeping the airplane steady while talking to ATC and setting up navigation.

2 · Assign before the lesson

Pre-work: the free Train pack, Radio Communications, Navigation Systems/Facilities, and Radar Services. Keep the airplane under control on instruments while you talk to ATC and work the navigation.

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Pack: pilotprep.pro/train/ppl/radio-communications-and-navigation-by-instruments · Full lesson: pilotprep.pro/prepare/ppl/radio-communications-and-navigation-by-instruments

3 · Teach sequence

Key points to land

  • Fly the airplane first: keep the attitude steady while changing frequencies or setting a course, in short steps with scans in between.(Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B), Airplane Attitude Instrument Flying)
  • Find frequencies on the chart or in the Chart Supplement, and identify navaids by Morse code before using them.(AIM, Chapter 4 (air traffic control services for VFR aircraft))
  • ATC radar can help a VFR aircraft in difficulty only with two-way radio and within radar coverage; the help is advisory and doesn't authorize breaking any rule. Tell them you're a VFR pilot in IMC and choose a course to a landing in VFR conditions.(AIM 6-2-1)
  • Read back headings and altitudes and comply, unless you get an amended clearance, there's an emergency, or a TCAS resolution advisory. If you can't, say "unable" with the reason and request an alternative; if you're not sure, ask right away. Deviating in an emergency is under 91.3(b), and only as far as needed.(14 CFR 91.123; 91.3(b))
  • Use the GPS or VOR to track a course or go direct to an airport. The heading indicator shows heading, not track, and precesses (reset it to the compass in steady flight); the difference between your heading and the VOR or GPS track is wind drift, corrected with a wind correction angle.(PHAK (FAA-H-8083-25C), Flight Instruments)
  • Declare an emergency early if you’re in IMC without an instrument rating: it gets you priority and help.(AIM, Chapter 6, Emergency Procedures)
  • Use automation (autopilot, GPS direct-to) to reduce workload only in a mode you understand, engaged with the airplane in trim and a normal attitude; watch for mode confusion.(Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A))

Radios and ATC

  • Pick frequencies from the sectional, the Chart Supplement or the navigator. Facilities: the tower, approach control (TRACON) and center (ARTCC), which can give traffic advisories and vectors, workload permitting and within radar coverage (it isn't separation for VFR, and doesn't relieve you of your responsibilities); and Flight Service, which isn't ATC: briefings, weather, flight plans and emergency help, and it can relay clearances but can't issue them or give vectors.(AIM, Chapter 4 (air traffic control services for VFR aircraft); AIM 4-1)
  • In distress: declare it, squawk 7700 with altitude reporting, and stay on your current frequency if you're in contact (121.5 if not). Give your call sign and type, the nature of the emergency, your position and altitude if known, your intentions, fuel remaining in time, and persons on board.(AIM 6-1-2; 6-2-2)
  • Follow ATC instructions and read back headings and altitudes. If you can't comply, say "unable", give the reason and ask for an amended clearance; if you're unsure, ask at once.(14 CFR 91.123)

Navigation equipment

  • VOR: tune, identify, set the course with the OBS, check the TO/FROM and OFF or NAV flag, then intercept and track the needle with a bracketing wind correction. GPS: select and verify the correct waypoint, confirm the active leg and that the CDI is set to the GPS source and sensitivity, and fly the track error rather than chasing the heading or the moving map.(PHAK (FAA-H-8083-25C), Flight Instruments; AIM 1-1-3, 1-1-17)
  • The scan while you do it: set the attitude and power, trim so the airplane flies hands-off before you go heads-down, then work in short steps, coming back to the attitude indicator between each one and rechecking altitude, heading and airspeed.(Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B), Airplane Attitude Instrument Flying)
  • Identify the VOR positively, by its Morse code or its recorded voice identification (the facility name and "VOR"); a voice from Flight Service or approach isn't identification. No ident means out of service; a TEST ident means maintenance: don't use a station you can't positively identify.(AIM 1-1-3)
  • GPS "nearest" knows position and distance, not weather, runway suitability, terrain or fuel: check the weather with ATC, Flight Service or the AWOS/ASOS, and check the runway, terrain and fuel before you commit.(AIM, Chapter 6, Emergency Procedures)

Asking for help and using resources

  • Ask for help early and declare an emergency if needed: VFR into IMC is an emergency for a VFR pilot.(AIM, Chapter 6, Emergency Procedures)
  • Use resources: ATC, the autopilot, GPS direct-to, and passengers to hold a chart or watch for traffic.(Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A))

Watch for in the airplane: Your instructor watches whether you keep control and altitude while working radios and navigation, set things up in short steps, and use ATC well.

4 · Ask your student

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

  1. Recall · What do you tell ATC if you’ve flown into a cloud as a VFR pilot?

    A strong answer: My call sign, position, altitude, that I’m VFR in instrument conditions, and that I need help, for example vectors to VFR conditions.

  2. Understand · Why set up navigation in short steps?

    A strong answer: So I keep scanning the instruments. Long heads-down tasks are when control is lost.

  3. Apply · ATC gives a heading you’d need to climb into cloud to fly. What do you say?

    A strong answer: "Unable, I’m VFR," and ask for an alternative that keeps me clear of clouds.

Scenarios to talk through

  • In a cloud, you start tuning a new frequency and the airplane banks 30°. What went wrong?

    Sound decision: Attention left the attitude indicator. Level the wings first, then tune in short steps.

  • ATC asks you to fly heading 270 and climb to 5,000. How do you respond?

    Sound decision: Read back "heading 270, climb 5,000", then do it with the airplane under control.

  • Low on fuel and in IMC. What do you do?

    Sound decision: Declare an emergency, ask for vectors to the nearest airport with VFR weather, and follow instructions.

5 · Common student errors

  • Heads-down too long.

    Why it matters: Loss of control.

    How to correct it: Short steps, back to the attitude indicator between them.

  • Waiting to ask for help.

    Why it matters: Options shrink.

    How to correct it: Call early, declare if needed.

  • Not identifying the navaid.

    Why it matters: Wrong or out-of-service station.

    How to correct it: Listen to the Morse code ident.

6 · Completion standard

  • Maintain airplane control while selecting frequencies, identifying facilities and managing navigation equipment, and comply with ATC instructions.
  • Maintain altitude within 200 feet, heading within 20°, and airspeed within 10 knots.
  • 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.VIII.F: pilotprep.pro/exam?exam=PPL&focus=PA.VIII.F

7 · References

  • Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B), Flight Instruments; Airplane Attitude Instrument Flying; Human Factors
  • Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Emergency Procedures (inadvertent IMC)
  • Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Flight Instruments; Aeromedical Factors
  • Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), Chapters 4 and 6
  • Private Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-6C), Area VIII
  • Airman Certification Standards, task PA.VIII.F

PilotPrep instructor lesson plan, from the Radio Communications, Navigation Systems/Facilities, and Radar Services 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.