Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Engine Failure During Takeoff Before Vmc (Simulated) Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area IX, Task E
The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Engine Failure During Takeoff Roll Before Vmc (Simulated) Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with engine failure during takeoff before minimum controllable airspeed Vmc.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC:0:20Part 3, Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC Risk Management:0:15Part 4, Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC Guided Scenario(s):0:20Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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Attention Getter:
- Research and present 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:
- Before VMC, an engine failure during the takeoff roll demands an immediate rejection; delay can rapidly consume the runway and compromise directional control.
- Rehearsing the recognition, throttle closure, directional-control, and stopping sequence builds the prompt response needed when there is no useful time for diagnosis.
Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Internet connection (computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.).
- Phone (for preflight briefing).
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
- Pilot Operating Handbook, Electronic Flight Bag.
- Instructor endorsement log.
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Reference Materials:
Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards (ACS).
- Part 2, Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC:
- Explain how density altitude, weight, center of gravity, power, propeller condition, configuration, bank, and the critical engine affect minimum controllable airspeed (VMC). (CA.IX.E.K1)
- Relate VMC (red line), best single-engine rate-of-climb speed VYSE (blue line), and the aircraft's rejected-takeoff criteria to the takeoff briefing. (CA.IX.E.K2)
- Calculate and interpret accelerate-stop distance for the actual or assigned runway, loading, and environmental conditions, including the margin remaining after recognizing and rejecting the takeoff. (CA.IX.E.K3)
- Part 3, Engine Failure During Takeoff Before Vmc Risk Management:
- Discuss and mitigate the risk of an engine failure during the takeoff roll, including recognition, reject criteria, directional control, braking, and remaining-runway considerations. (CA.IX.E.R1)
- Evaluate how flap setting, trim, power, propeller configuration, braking technique, runway condition, and aircraft system use affect directional control and stopping performance during a rejected takeoff. (CA.IX.E.R2)
- Discuss and mitigate distractions, improper task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, and disorientation during a rejected takeoff. (CA.IX.E.R3)
- Part 4, Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead the guided scenario.
- Present a realistic engine failure during takeoff before VMC simulated scenario and have the learner identify hazards, make appropriate decisions, and explain the proposed course of action.
- Require the learner to close both throttles smoothly and promptly when the simulated engine failure occurs. (CA.IX.E.S1)
- Require the learner to maintain directional control and apply brakes in an AMEL, or flight controls in an AMES, as necessary to complete the rejected takeoff safely. (CA.IX.E.S2)
- Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:
- Tie lesson back to previous lessons to reinforce past experiences (law of readiness).
- 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.
Guided Scenario(s)
- Take an existing flight plan and identify potential alternates
- What airports are suitable, have requisite services, or are most familiar?
- During a simulated multiengine takeoff roll, introduce a loss of thrust before VMC and require the learner to recognize the failure, close both throttles promptly, maintain directional control, and stop using the remaining runway.
- Vary runway length, surface condition, crosswind, aircraft loading, and the point of failure so the learner must reassess reject criteria and stopping margins.
- After each scenario, have the learner explain the cues that identified the failure, the control inputs used, and whether the pre-takeoff briefing supported the response.
- Related material:
Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Complete a personal weather minimums worksheet.
- Ask pertinent questions.
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
Airman Certification Standards
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Engine Failure During Takeoff Before Vmc (Simulated) Airman Certification Standards
- To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with engine failure during takeoff before minimum controllable airspeed (VMC)
- Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task
- References: FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); FAA-P-8740-66; POH/AFM.
Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
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CA.IX.E.K1: Factors affecting minimum control airspeed (VMC). -
CA.IX.E.K2: VMC (red line) and best single-engine rate of climb airspeed (VYSE) (blue line). -
CA.IX.E.K3: Accelerate/stop distance.
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
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CA.IX.E.R1: Potential engine failure during takeoff. -
CA.IX.E.R2: Configuring the airplane. -
CA.IX.E.R3:
Skills 2 ACS Elements
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CA.IX.E.S1: Close the throttles smoothly and promptly when a simulated engine failure occurs. -
CA.IX.E.S2: Maintain directional control and apply brakes (AMEL), or flight controls (AMES), as necessary.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Engine Failure during Takeoff before VMC Simulated develops the calm, disciplined response needed when time, altitude, aircraft capability, or available options are limited.
- Early recognition, aircraft control, checklist use, clear priorities, and continuous evaluation of recovery or landing options help prevent an abnormal event from becoming unmanageable.
- Scenario practice strengthens situational awareness and aeronautical decision-making so pilots can adapt procedures to the aircraft, environment, and urgency of the event.
- Continued practice with Engine Failure during Takeoff before VMC Simulated prepares commercial pilots to manage more complex failures while preserving the margins needed for a safe outcome.
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Closure:
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
- Assign study materials for the next lesson.