Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering With One Engine Inoperative Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area X, Task A
The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with maneuvering with one engine inoperative.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Engine-Inoperative Aerodynamics and Procedures:0:10Part 3, Risk Management:0:10Part 4, Practical Application and Assessment:0:20Part 5, Guided Scenario(s):0:10Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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Attention Getter:
- Research and present a mishap case study:
- Examine a multiengine loss-of-control event involving delayed recognition, incorrect engine identification, or improper configuration after an engine failure.
- 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.
- Research and present a mishap case study:
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Motivator:
- After an engine failure, prompt recognition and correct control inputs preserve directional control while configuration and checklist discipline determine whether useful performance remains.
- Proficiency prevents a manageable engine failure from becoming a loss-of-control accident.
Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- Instructor endorsement log.
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Reference Materials:
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)'s Do the Right Thing: Decision Making for Pilots Safety Spotlight.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance Supplement.
- Flight Deck Management Supplement.
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-Inoperative Aerodynamics and Procedures:
- Explain the aerodynamic and configuration factors affecting minimum controllable speed (VMC). (CA.X.A.K1)
- Explain VMC (red line) and best single-engine rate-of-climb airspeed VYSE (blue line), including their operational significance. (CA.X.A.K2)
- Teach the identify, verify, feather, and secure sequence for an inoperative engine. (CA.X.A.K3)
- Explain drag reduction, including propeller feathering, landing-gear and flap retraction, and the manufacturer's recommended control inputs for zero sideslip. (CA.X.A.K4)
- Teach feathering, securing, unfeathering, and restarting procedures and their limitations. (CA.X.A.K5)
- Part 3, Risk Management:
- Anticipate engine failure by identifying critical phases of flight, escape options, expected single-engine performance, and the point at which securing or restarting an engine is appropriate. (CA.X.A.R1)
- Maintain an effective traffic scan and predictable flightpath while managing the failed engine, and obtain ATC assistance without sacrificing aircraft control. (CA.X.A.R2)
- Configure deliberately to reduce drag and preserve controllability, verifying each engine and control before feathering, securing, or reconfiguring. (CA.X.A.R3)
- Establish adequate altitude, airspeed, terrain clearance, and recovery criteria before low-altitude maneuvering to prevent stall, spin, loss of control, or controlled flight into terrain. (CA.X.A.R4)
- Prioritize control and performance, use checklists at the appropriate time, delegate or defer tasks, and guard against fixation, distraction, and disorientation. (CA.X.A.R5)
- Part 4, Practical Application and Assessment:
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to recognize an engine failure, maintain control, use manufacturer’s memory item procedures, and use appropriate emergency procedures. (CA.X.A.S1)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to set the engine controls, identify and verify the inoperative engine, and feather the appropriate propeller. (CA.X.A.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.A.S3)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to attempt to determine and resolve the reason for the engine failure. (CA.X.A.S4)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to secure the inoperative engine and monitor the operating engine and make necessary adjustments. (CA.X.A.S5)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to restart the inoperative engine using manufacturer’s restart procedures. (CA.X.A.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 headings ±10°. (CA.X.A.S7)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s). (CA.X.A.S8)
- Part 5, Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead the one-engine-inoperative maneuvering guided scenario.
- Require the learner to recognize a simulated engine failure, maintain control, identify and verify the inoperative engine, reduce drag, evaluate performance and terrain, apply the appropriate checklist, and select a safe course of action.
- 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) Maneuvering With One Engine Inoperative Lesson Plan Interactive Guided Scenario
Interactive Guided Scenario
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Decision 1
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Scenario Complete
Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Review AOPA's Do the Right Thing: Decision Making for Pilots Safety Spotlight.
- 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) Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative (AMEL, AMES) Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with maneuvering with one engine inoperative.
- 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 5 ACS Elements
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CA.X.A.K1: -
CA.X.A.K2: VMC (red line) and best single-engine rate of climb airspeed (VYSE) (blue line). -
CA.X.A.K3: How to identify, verify, feather, and secure an inoperative engine. -
CA.X.A.K4: Importance of drag reduction, including propeller feathering, gear and flap retraction, the manufacturer's recommended control input and its relation to zero sideslip. -
CA.X.A.K5: Feathering, securing, unfeathering, and restarting.
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
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CA.X.A.R1: Potential engine failure during flight. -
CA.X.A.R2: -
CA.X.A.R3: Configuring the airplane. -
CA.X.A.R4: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). -
CA.X.A.R5:
Skills 8 ACS Elements
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CA.X.A.S1: Recognize an engine failure, maintain control, use manufacturer's memory item procedures, and use appropriate emergency procedures. -
CA.X.A.S2: Set the engine controls, identify and verify the inoperative engine, and feather the appropriate propeller. -
CA.X.A.S3: 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.A.S4: Attempt to determine and resolve the reason for the engine failure. -
CA.X.A.S5: Secure the inoperative engine and monitor the operating engine and make necessary adjustments. -
CA.X.A.S6: Restart the inoperative engine using manufacturer's restart procedures. -
CA.X.A.S7: Maintain altitude ±100 feet or a minimum sink rate if applicable, airspeed ±10 knots, and selected headings ±10°. -
CA.X.A.S8: Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative 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 Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative 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.