Flight Instructor (Airplane) Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan

Flight Instructor (Airplane) • ACS Area XII, Task G

The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    0:25
    Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    0:15
    Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    0:30
    Part 5, Guided Teaching Scenario:
    0:20
    Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Present a teaching scenario in which learner safety or understanding depends on effective instruction in approach and landing with an inoperative engine (simulated) (AMEL (Airplane Multiengine Land), AMES (Airplane Multiengine Sea)).
    • Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.

  • Motivator:

    • To determine the applicant understands approach and landing with an inoperative engine, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

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Flight Instructor (Airplane) Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan

Materials

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review the reference materials, applicable airplane limitations, and the instructor applicant's prior lesson preparation.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    • Present the attention getter and motivator.
    • Review Area of Operation XII, Task G, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands approach and landing with an inoperative engine, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
    • Teach and assess the aerodynamic and operational factors affecting minimum control speed (VMC), including power, density altitude, weight, center of gravity, configuration, bank, and critical-engine condition. (AI.XII.G.K1)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply the meaning, relationship, and operational significance of VMC (red line) and best single-engine rate-of-climb speed, VYSE (blue line), during approach and landing. (AI.XII.G.K2)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply the aircraft-specific sequence for identifying, verifying, feathering, and securing an inoperative engine without sacrificing control or destabilizing the approach. (AI.XII.G.K3)
    • Explain and assess drag reduction through propeller feathering, landing-gear and flap management, and manufacturer-recommended control inputs for zero sideslip or best single-engine performance. (AI.XII.G.K4)
    • Brief the instructor applicant's responsibilities, required safeguards, communication, and division of control during simulated feathering and the evaluator's establishment of zero thrust. (AI.XII.G.K5)
    • Teach the learner to recognize, prevent, and correct common errors involving recognition, control, engine verification, configuration, airspeed, stabilization, and touchdown. (AI.XII.G.K6)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Use approach scenarios to teach recognition and management of an engine failure in flight or during the approach, including landing-site selection, performance assessment, and an early commitment to a stable plan. (AI.XII.G.R1)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply traffic awareness, clearing, communication, and flightpath selection that reduce collision risk while the engine failure and approach are managed. (AI.XII.G.R2)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply deliberate configuration timing that preserves control and single-engine performance while allowing a stabilized approach and assured landing. (AI.XII.G.R3)
    • Establish intervention and discontinue criteria that prevent low-altitude maneuvering from progressing toward loss of control, stall or spin, or controlled flight into terrain. (AI.XII.G.R4)
    • Require the learner to manage startle and distractions, prioritize aircraft control and approach stability, maintain situational awareness and orientation, and defer nonessential tasks. (AI.XII.G.R5)
    • Require an early, performance-based assessment of whether a single-engine go-around is feasible, and teach that landing may be safer than attempting a go-around when climb performance or control margin is inadequate. (AI.XII.G.R6)
    • Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
  • Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess prompt recognition of the engine failure and maintenance of positive aircraft control. (AI.XII.G.S1)
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess setting engine controls, reducing drag, identifying and verifying the inoperative engine, and safely simulating feathering before the evaluator establishes zero thrust. (AI.XII.G.S2)
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess use of the manufacturer's recommended emergency procedure and completion of the appropriate checklist. (AI.XII.G.S3)
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess monitoring the operating engine and aircraft systems and making necessary adjustments. (AI.XII.G.S4)
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess a stabilized landing-configuration approach at the manufacturer's recommended airspeed within ±5 knots until landing is assured. (AI.XII.G.S5)
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess smooth, timely, and correct control application before, during, and after touchdown. (AI.XII.G.S6)
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess touchdown within the first one-third of the available runway or landing surface, without drift, with the longitudinal axis aligned over the centerline or landing path. (AI.XII.G.S7)
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing. (AI.XII.G.S8)
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess timely completion of the appropriate checklist or checklists without compromising aircraft control or approach stability. (AI.XII.G.S9)
    • Have the instructor applicant analyze and correct common errors while preserving positive control, stabilization, and the safeguards for simulated failures. (AI.XII.G.S10)
    • Coach simultaneous explanation, demonstration, observation, error correction, and, when airborne, positive aircraft control.
  • Part 5, Guided Teaching Scenario:
    • Lead the guided scenario.
    • Evaluate instructional organization, technical accuracy, risk management, learner engagement, and every applicable ACS element.
  • Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:
    • Review the lesson objective, instructional strengths, risk-management decisions, and items requiring additional practice.
    • Present the re-motivation and closure.
  • Update instructor records and the instructor applicant's training record, as required.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a simulated approach-and-landing-with-an-inoperative-engine lesson appropriate to an AMEL or AMES while maintaining an organized lesson flow and meaningful learner participation.
  • Assign realistic weather, runway or landing-area, traffic, loading, and single-engine performance conditions and require the instructor applicant to teach a stable, performance-supported approach plan. (AI.XII.G.R1)
  • Require the instructor applicant to coach prompt engine-failure recognition and positive aircraft control while respecting all safeguards for simulated failures. (AI.XII.G.S1)
  • Introduce a realistic learner error, misconception, change in operating conditions, or external pressure and require the instructor applicant to adapt the lesson.
  • Conclude with a learner-centered assessment and instructor self-critique tied to the ACS knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan

Student Actions

  • Complete assigned readings and prepare a lesson plan with objective, content sequence, teaching aids, assessment, and completion standards.
  • Teach the applicable knowledge elements accurately and in learner-appropriate language rather than relying on rote recitation.
  • Identify, assess, mitigate, and teach the risks associated with the task.
  • Demonstrate or explain each applicable skill while maintaining positive control, observing the learner, and correcting errors appropriately.
  • Use effective questions, check learner understanding, conduct a learner-centered assessment, and perform an instructor self-assessment.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Airman Certification Standards

  • Note: For ASEL or ASES, the evaluator must select at least Tasks B and C. For AMEL or AMES, the evaluator must select Tasks E or F; Task G; and at least one other Task.
  • Task G: Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated)(AMEL, AMES).
  • Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
  • Objective: To determine the applicant understands approach and landing with an inoperative engine, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-25; FAA-P-8740-66; POH/AFM
Knowledge 6 ACS Elements
  • AI.XII.G.K1:
    Factors affecting minimum controllable speed (VMC).
  • AI.XII.G.K2:
    VMC (red line) and best single-engine rate of climb airspeed (VYSE) (blue line).
  • AI.XII.G.K3:
    How to identify, verify, feather, and secure an inoperative engine.
  • AI.XII.G.K4:
    Importance of drag reduction, including propeller feathering, gear and flap retraction, the manufacturer’s recommended control input and its relation to zero sideslip.
  • AI.XII.G.K5:
    Applicant responsibilities during simulated feathering.
  • AI.XII.G.K6:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
  • AI.XII.G.R1:
    Potential engine failure after in flight or during an approach.
  • AI.XII.G.R2:
    Collision hazards.
  • AI.XII.G.R3:
    Configuring the airplane.
  • AI.XII.G.R4:
    Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • AI.XII.G.R5:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • AI.XII.G.R6:
    Possible single-engine go-around.
Skills 10 ACS Elements
  • AI.XII.G.S1:
    Promptly recognize an engine failure and maintain positive aircraft control.
  • AI.XII.G.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).
  • AI.XII.G.S3:
    Follow the manufacturer’s recommended emergency procedures and complete the appropriate checklist.
  • AI.XII.G.S4:
    Monitor the operating engine and aircraft systems and make adjustments as necessary.
  • AI.XII.G.S5:
    Maintain the manufacturer's recommended approach airspeed ±5 knots in the landing configuration with a stabilized approach, until landing is assured.
  • AI.XII.G.S6:
    Make smooth, timely, and correct control application before, during, and after touchdown.
  • AI.XII.G.S7:
    Touch down on the first one-third of available runway/landing surface, with no drift, and the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with and over the runway center or landing path.
  • AI.XII.G.S8:
    Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing.
  • AI.XII.G.S9:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • AI.XII.G.S10:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in approach and landing with an inoperative engine (simulated) (AMEL, AMES) helps learners build sound judgment, technical competence, and safe operating habits.

  • Closure:

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