Definition
In scenario-based training, the preparation work a student completes before a training flight, in which the student plans the route, performance numbers, weather analysis, fuel requirements, and decision points for a realistic flight scenario assigned by the instructor. The student arrives at the lesson with a worked plan that the flight will then test against real conditions.
Plain English
The homework a student does before a training flight. The instructor gives them a realistic flight to plan, and the student shows up with the route, weather, fuel, and decisions already worked out, ready to fly it.
Context Anchor
Used during scenario-based training preparation, usually in the briefing before a flight lesson, simulator session, or ground training exercise.
Derivation
Pre- means “before.” Scenario comes from a word used for the outline of a scene or situation. Together, pre-scenario planning means the planning done before the training situation begins, not the decisions made during it.
Why Pilots Care
Helps the student understand the purpose of the exercise so attention stays on learning rather than trying to guess the instructor’s intent.
Intuition Check
Pre-scenario planning is not scripting the correct answer in advance. It sets up the situation and goals so the learner can make real decisions during the scenario.
Example Sentence 1
For tomorrow's lesson the instructor assigned a cross-country to a nearby airport, and pre-scenario planning included the route, fuel burn, and a diversion option in case weather closed in.
Example Sentence 2
Good pre-scenario planning lets the student focus on real-time decisions once the scenario starts.