Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan
The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with normal takeoff, climb operations, and rejected takeoff procedures.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan Introduction
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Attention Getter:
- Research a mishap case study:
- Discuss how the initial conditions developed into an incident/accident/mishap.
- Relate similar personal experiences of the same type of incident/accident/mishap.
- Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario.
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Motivator:
- Helps recognize the indications of an imminent or full stall during power-on situations with the landing gear down and to make prompt, positive, and effective recoveries with a minimum loss of altitude
- Emergency Descent simulate a stall from normal takeoff and departure
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Weight and Balance worksheet.
- Pilot Information/Operating Handbook.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- Instructor endorsement log.
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Reference Materials:
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 93.
- Aeronautical Information Manual.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Airman Certification Standards:
- Hard copies of the ACS and Oral Exam Guides are available on Amazon.
- Digital copies of the ACS are available on the FAA's website.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention-getter and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Introduce normal takeoff and climb.
- Part 2, Emergency Descent:
- Introduce surface wind impacts to normal takeoff and climb performance, including determining wind direction with or without visual indicators.
- Introduce wind shear impacts to normal takeoff and climb performance.
- Introduce wake turbulence considerations during normal takeoff and climb.
- Introduce outside air temperature and field elevation/density altitude impacts to normal takeoff and climb performance.
- Introduce runway surface condition impacts to normal takeoff and climb.
- Introduce runway slope impacts to normal takeoff and climb.
- Introduce gross weight center of gravity impacts and to normal takeoff and climb.
- Introduce power settings impacts to normal takeoff and climb.
- Introduce flight profile impacts to normal takeoff and climb.
- Introduce note strut slope impacts to normal takeoff and climb.
- Introduce tire pressure impacts to normal takeoff and climb.
- Part 3, Emergency Descent Guided Scenario:
- Part 4, Conclude Lesson:
- Relate lesson to power-on stalls.
- Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
- Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
- Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan Guided Scenario(s)
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- Related scenarios:
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Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Ask pertinent questions.
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with Emergency Descent
- Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task
- References: AC 61-67; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); POH/AFM
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:-
CA.IX.A.K1:
Situations that would require an emergency descent (e.g., depressurization, smoke, or engine fire). -
CA.IX.A.K2:
Immediate action items and emergency procedures. -
CA.IX.A.K3:
Airspeed, including airspeed limitations. -
CA.IX.A.K4:
Aircraft performance and limitations.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:-
CA.IX.A.R1:
Altitude, wind, terrain, obstructions, gliding distance, and available landing distance considerations. -
CA.IX.A.R2:
Collision hazards. -
CA.IX.A.R3:
Configuring the airplane. -
CA.IX.A.R4:
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:-
CA.IX.A.S1:
Clear the area. -
CA.IX.A.S2:
Establish and maintain the appropriate airspeed and configuration appropriate to the scenario specified by the evaluator and as covered in Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)/Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) for the emergency descent. -
CA.IX.A.S3:
Maintain orientation, divide attention appropriately, and plan and execute a smooth recovery. -
CA.IX.A.S4:
Use bank angle between 30° and 45° to maintain positive load factors during the descent. -
CA.IX.A.S5:
Maintain appropriate airspeed +0/-10 knots, and level off at a specified altitude ±100 feet. -
CA.IX.A.S6:
Complete the appropriate checklist(s). -
CA.IX.A.S7:
Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
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Closure:
- The FAA provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
- To learn more about earning the practical test, visit the checkride page.
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
- Assign study materials for the next lesson.