Commercial Pilot (Airplane) One Engine Inoperative Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area X, Task C
The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) One Engine Inoperative Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flight solely by reference to instruments with one engine inoperative.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Introduction:0:05Part 2, Instrument Engine-Failure Procedures:0:05Part 3, Risk Management:0:05Part 4, Practical Application and Assessment:0:10Part 5, Guided Scenario(s):0:05Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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Attention Getter:
- Research and present a mishap case study:
- Examine an instrument-flight engine failure involving delayed recognition, incorrect engine identification, loss of directional control, or continued flight below single-engine performance capability.
- 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:
- An engine failure in instrument conditions immediately increases workload while reducing performance and available options.
- A disciplined identify-verify-feather process, precise instrument control, and realistic performance assessment are essential to reaching a safe landing.
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:
- Steep Turns Supplement.
- 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.
- Multiengine Operations Supplement
- Flight Deck Management Supplement.
- Crew Resource 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, Instrument Engine-Failure Procedures:
- Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply the procedures used when an engine fails during straight-and-level flight and turns solely by reference to instruments, including aircraft control, recognition, identification, verification, drag reduction, securing, and performance evaluation. (CA.X.C.K1)
- Part 3, Risk Management:
- Prevent an incorrect-engine shutdown by maintaining control, using performance indications and rudder requirement to identify the suspect engine, and positively verifying it before feathering or securing. (CA.X.C.R1)
- Compare actual single-engine performance with terrain, weather, icing, weight, and altitude requirements, and choose a descent, diversion, or landing before options are lost. (CA.X.C.R2)
- 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.C.R3)
- Prioritize aircraft control, navigation, and communication; use automation and checklists appropriately; and defer nonessential troubleshooting that creates distraction or disorientation. (CA.X.C.R4)
- Recalculate endurance, range, balance, and fuel-feed options after the engine failure, monitor the operating engine, and avoid fuel-management actions that threaten the remaining power source. (CA.X.C.R5)
- 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.C.S1)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to avoid loss of airplane control or attempted flight contrary to the engine-inoperative operating limitations of the airplane. (CA.X.C.S10)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate. (CA.X.C.S11)
- 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.C.S2)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to establish the best engine-inoperative airspeed and trim the airplane. (CA.X.C.S3)
- 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.C.S4)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to verify the prescribed checklist procedures used for securing the inoperative engine. (CA.X.C.S5)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to attempt to determine and resolve the reason for the engine failure. (CA.X.C.S6)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to monitor engine functions and make necessary adjustments. (CA.X.C.S7)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to maintain the specified altitude ±100 feet or minimum sink rate if applicable, airspeed ±10 knots, and the specified heading ±10°. (CA.X.C.S8)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to assess the aircraft’s performance capability and decide an appropriate action to ensure a safe landing. (CA.X.C.S9)
- Part 5, Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead the one-engine-inoperative instrument-flight guided scenario.
- Require the learner to recognize a simulated engine failure in instrument conditions, maintain control, identify and verify the inoperative engine, configure the airplane, apply checklists, evaluate single-engine performance, coordinate available resources, and select a safe landing plan.
- 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 the instructor log and student progress. Select the student and sign off completed objectives. If the student does not have a connected account, record the update manually in the instructor log and student training record.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) One Engine Inoperative Lesson Plan Interactive Guided Scenario
Commercial Pilot Airplane One Engine Inoperative Guided Flight
Work through one integrated 79-decision guided scenario combining 5 linked lesson topics into a comprehensive training exercise.
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) One Engine Inoperative (Simulated) (solely by Reference to Instruments) During Straight-and-Level Flight and Turns (AMEL, AMES) Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flight solely by reference to instruments 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-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); FAA-P-8740-66; POH/AFM.
Knowledge 1 ACS Element
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CA.X.C.K1: Procedures used if engine failure occurs during straight-and-level flight and turns while on instruments.
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
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CA.X.C.R1: -
CA.X.C.R2: Inability to climb or maintain altitude with an inoperative engine. -
CA.X.C.R3: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). -
CA.X.C.R4: -
CA.X.C.R5: Fuel management during single-engine operation.
Skills 11 ACS Elements
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CA.X.C.S1: Promptly recognize an engine failure and maintain positive airplane control. -
CA.X.C.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.C.S3: Establish the best engine-inoperative airspeed and trim the airplane. -
CA.X.C.S4: 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.C.S5: Verify the prescribed checklist procedures used for securing the inoperative engine. -
CA.X.C.S6: Attempt to determine and resolve the reason for the engine failure. -
CA.X.C.S7: Monitor engine functions and make necessary adjustments. -
CA.X.C.S8: Maintain the specified altitude ±100 feet or minimum sink rate if applicable, airspeed ±10 knots, and the specified heading ±10°. -
CA.X.C.S9: Assess the airplane's performance capability and decide an appropriate action to ensure a safe landing. -
CA.X.C.S10: Avoid loss of airplane control or attempted flight contrary to the engine-inoperative operating limitationsof the airplane. -
CA.X.C.S11: Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- 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 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.