Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area X, Task D

The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with maneuvering with one engine inoperative.

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Approach Planning and Engine-Inoperative Procedures:
    0:10
    Part 3, Risk Management:
    0:10
    Part 4, Practical Application and Assessment:
    0:20
    Part 5, Guided Scenario(s):
    0:10
    Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Research and present a mishap case study:
      • Examine a loss-of-control, runway-excursion, or go-around event involving an engine failure during an instrument approach.
    • 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.

  • Motivator:

    • An engine failure during an instrument approach combines asymmetric thrust, degraded performance, configuration decisions, precise instrument flying, and a rapidly narrowing margin for error.
    • Disciplined aircraft control and an early, well-briefed plan allow the pilot to manage the failure without sacrificing approach stability or landing safety.

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Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Materials

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Approach Planning and Engine-Inoperative Procedures:
    • Teach instrument-approach procedures with one engine inoperative, including approach selection, aircraft and approach-category limitations, performance, configuration, briefing, missed-approach capability, circling considerations, and landing planning. (CA.X.D.K1)
  • Part 3, Risk Management:
    • Plan for an engine failure during approach or landing by identifying configuration gates, single-engine performance limits, suitable runways, missed-approach capability, and points beyond which landing is the safer option. (CA.X.D.R1)
    • Mitigate collision hazards through traffic awareness, stable course and altitude control, timely ATC communication, and avoidance of excessive inside-cockpit attention. (CA.X.D.R2)
    • Sequence gear, flap, power, and propeller changes so drag is not added before landing is assured and the airplane remains within engine-inoperative limitations. (CA.X.D.R3)
    • Protect airspeed, directional control, obstacle clearance, and terrain margins during low-altitude maneuvering to prevent stall, spin, loss of control, or controlled flight into terrain. (CA.X.D.R4)
    • Prioritize aircraft control, navigation, and communication; use automation and checklists appropriately; and defer nonessential tasks that increase distraction or disorientation. (CA.X.D.R5)
    • Evaluate whether a go-around or rejected landing is controllable and climb-capable with one engine inoperative, and avoid initiating one when performance, configuration, runway, or obstacle conditions make continued landing safer. (CA.X.D.R6)
  • Part 4, Practical Application and Assessment:
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to promptly recognize an engine failure and maintain positive aircraft control. (CA.X.D.S1)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to set the engine controls, reduce drag, identify and verify the inoperative engine, and simulate feathering of the propeller on the inoperative engine (evaluator should then establish zero thrust on the inoperative engine). (CA.X.D.S2)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to use flight controls in the proper combination as recommended by the manufacturer, or as required to maintain best performance, and trim as required. (CA.X.D.S3)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to follow the manufacturer’s recommended emergency procedures and complete the appropriate checklist. (CA.X.D.S4)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to monitor the operating engine and aircraft systems and make adjustments as necessary. (CA.X.D.S5)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to request and follow an actual or a simulated air traffic control (ATC) clearance for an instrument approach. (CA.X.D.S6)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to maintain altitude ±100 feet or minimum sink rate if applicable, airspeed ±10 knots, and selected heading ±10°. (CA.X.D.S7)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to establish a rate of descent that ensures arrival at the minimum descent altitude (MDA) or decision altitude (DA)/decision height (DH) with the airplane in a position from which a descent to a landing on the intended runway can be made, either straight in or circling as appropriate. (CA.X.D.S8)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability, on the final approach segment, to maintain vertical guidance (as applicable) and lateral guidance within ¾-scale deflection. (CA.X.D.S9)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to avoid loss of airplane control or attempted flight contrary to the operating limitations of the airplane. (CA.X.D.S10)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to comply with the published criteria for the aircraft approach category if circling. (CA.X.D.S11)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to execute a landing. (CA.X.D.S12)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s). (CA.X.D.S13)
  • Part 5, Guided Scenario(s):
    • Lead the engine-inoperative instrument-approach guided scenario.
    • Require the learner to manage an engine failure during an instrument approach, configure and control the airplane, coordinate with ATC (Air Traffic Control), evaluate landing and missed-approach options, and complete a stable approach and landing or discontinue the approach.
  • Part 6, Conclude Lesson:
    • 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.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan Interactive Guided Scenario

Interactive Guided Scenario

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Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Airman Certification Standards

  • To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with executing a published instrument approach solely by reference to instruments with one engine inoperative
  • Note: See Appendix 6: Safety of Flight and Appendix 7: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3; FAA-P-8740-66; POH/AFM.
Knowledge 1 ACS Element
  • CA.X.D.K1:
    Instrument approach procedures with one engine inoperative.
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
Skills 13 ACS Elements
  • CA.X.D.S1:
    Promptly recognize an engine failure and maintain positive aircraft control.
  • CA.X.D.S2:
    Set the engine controls, reduce drag, identify and verify the inoperative engine, and simulate feathering of the propeller on the inoperative engine (evaluator should then establish zero thrust on the inoperative engine).
  • CA.X.D.S3:
    Use flight controls in the proper combination as recommended by the manufacturer, or as required to .
  • CA.X.D.S5:
    Monitor the operating engine and aircraft systems and make adjustments as necessary.
  • CA.X.D.S6:
    Request and follow an actual or a simulated air traffic control (ATC) clearance for an instrument approach.
  • CA.X.D.S7:
    Maintain altitude ±100 feet or minimum sink rate if applicable, airspeed ±10 knots, and selected heading ±10°.
  • CA.X.D.S8:
    Establish a rate of descent that ensures arrival at the minimum descent altitude (MDA) or decision altitude (DA)/decision height (DH) with the airplane in a position from which a descent to a landing on the intended runway or landing path can be made, either straight in or circling as appropriate.
  • CA.X.D.S9:
    On final approach segment, maintain vertical (as applicable) and lateral guidance within 3/4-scale deflection.
  • CA.X.D.S10:
    Avoid loss of airplane control or attempted flight contrary to the operating limitations of the airplane.
  • CA.X.D.S11:
    Comply with the published criteria for the aircraft approach category if circling.
  • CA.X.D.S12:
    Execute a landing.
  • CA.X.D.S13:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Instrument Approach and Landing with An Inoperative Engine 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 Instrument Approach and Landing with An Inoperative Engine Simulated prepares commercial pilots to manage more complex failures while preserving the margins needed for a safe outcome.

  • Closure:

    • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson.