Flight Instructor (Airplane) Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan
Flight Instructor (Airplane) • ACS Area XII, Task F
The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:0:25Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:0:15Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:0:30Part 5, Guided Teaching Scenario:0:20Part 6, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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Attention Getter:
- Present a teaching scenario in which learner safety or understanding depends on effective instruction in engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES).
- Ask the instructor applicant to identify the first instructional decision that will shape the learner's outcome.
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Motivator:
- To determine the applicant understands engine failure after liftoff, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
Materials
Required Materials:
- Writing instrument and instructional surface.
- FAA-S-ACS-25, Flight Instructor for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards.
- Lesson plan, student training record, and applicable instructor records.
Optional Materials:
- Model-specific Pilot's Operating Handbook or Airplane Flight Manual (POH/AFM).
- Manufacturer-approved checklist and performance data.
- Current charts, Chart Supplement, NOTAMs, and electronic flight bag, as applicable.
- Airplane, cockpit procedures trainer, approved training device, or classroom teaching aids, as appropriate.
Reference Materials:
- FAA Airman Certification Standards.
- Aviation Instructor's Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Task references: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-25; FAA-P-8740-66; POH/AFM
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 F, and the Airman Certification Standards.
- State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands engine failure after liftoff, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
- Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
- Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.XII.F.K1: Factors affecting minimum controllable speed (VMC).
- Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.XII.F.K2: VMC (red line), VYSE (blue line), and safe single-engine speed (VSSE).
- Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.XII.F.K3: Accelerate/stop and accelerate/go distances.
- Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.XII.F.K4: How to identify, verify, feather, and secure an inoperative engine.
- Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.XII.F.K5: Importance of drag reduction, including propeller feathering, gear and flap retraction, the manufacturer’s recommended control input and its relation to zero sideslip.
- Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.XII.F.K6: Simulated propeller feathering and the evaluator’s zero-thrust procedures and responsibilities.
- Explain, teach, and assess learner understanding of AI.XII.F.K7: Common errors related to this Task.
- Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
- Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.XII.F.R1: Potential engine failure after lift-off.
- Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.XII.F.R2: Collision hazards.
- Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.XII.F.R3: Configuring the airplane.
- Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.XII.F.R4: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
- Teach the learner to identify, assess, and mitigate AI.XII.F.R5: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
- Require the instructor applicant to model risk controls, intervention points, and discontinue criteria while teaching.
- Part 4, Skill Demonstration and Teaching:
- Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.XII.F.S1: Promptly recognize an engine failure, maintain control, and use appropriate emergency procedures.
- Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.XII.F.S2: Establish VYSE; if obstructions are present, establish best single-engine angle of climb speed (VXSE) or VMC +5 knots, whichever is greater, until obstructions are cleared. Then transition to VYSE.
- Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.XII.F.S3: Reduce drag by retracting landing gear and flaps in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance.
- Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.XII.F.S4: Simulate feathering the propeller on the inoperative engine (evaluator should then establish zero thrust on the inoperative engine).
- Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.XII.F.S5: Use flight controls in the proper combination as recommended by the manufacturer, or as required to maintain best performance, and trim as required.
- Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.XII.F.S6: Monitor the operating engine and aircraft systems and make adjustments as necessary.
- Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.XII.F.S7: Recognize the airplane’s performance capabilities. If a climb is not possible at VYSE, maintain VYSE and return to the departure airport for landing, or initiate an approach to the most suitable landing area available.
- Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.XII.F.S8: Simulate securing the inoperative engine.
- Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.XII.F.S9: Maintain heading ±10° and airspeed ±5 knots.
- Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.XII.F.S10: Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
- Demonstrate and provide instruction on AI.XII.F.S11: Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
- 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.
Guided Scenario(s)
- The instructor applicant must teach a learner a lesson involving engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
- Ask the instructor applicant to identify hazards, including AI.XII.F.R1: Potential engine failure after lift-off, and teach how each risk will be controlled.
- Require the instructor applicant to explain, demonstrate, or coach the learner through AI.XII.F.S1: Promptly recognize an engine failure, maintain control, and use appropriate emergency procedures, as appropriate to the task and training environment.
- 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.
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.
Airman Certification Standards
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Engine Failure After Liftoff (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 F: Engine Failure After Liftoff (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 engine failure after liftoff, 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 7 ACS Elements
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AI.XII.F.K1: Factors affecting minimum controllable speed (VMC). -
AI.XII.F.K2: VMC (red line), VYSE (blue line), and safe single-engine speed (VSSE). -
AI.XII.F.K3: Accelerate/stop and accelerate/go distances. -
AI.XII.F.K4: How to identify, verify, feather, and secure an inoperative engine. -
AI.XII.F.K5: 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.F.K6: Simulated propeller feathering and the evaluator’s zero-thrust procedures and responsibilities. -
AI.XII.F.K7: Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
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AI.XII.F.R1: Potential engine failure after lift-off. -
AI.XII.F.R2: Collision hazards. -
AI.XII.F.R3: Configuring the airplane. -
AI.XII.F.R4: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). -
AI.XII.F.R5: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 11 ACS Elements
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AI.XII.F.S1: Promptly recognize an engine failure, maintain control, and use appropriate emergency procedures. -
AI.XII.F.S2: Establish VYSE; if obstructions are present, establish best single-engine angle of climb speed (VXSE) or VMC +5 knots, whichever is greater, until obstructions are cleared. Then transition to VYSE. -
AI.XII.F.S3: Reduce drag by retracting landing gear and flaps in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance. -
AI.XII.F.S4: Simulate feathering the propeller on the inoperative engine (evaluator should then establish zero thrust on the inoperative engine). -
AI.XII.F.S5: Use flight controls in the proper combination as recommended by the manufacturer, or as required to maintain best performance, and trim as required. -
AI.XII.F.S6: Monitor the operating engine and aircraft systems and make adjustments as necessary. -
AI.XII.F.S7: Recognize the airplane’s performance capabilities. If a climb is not possible at VYSE, maintain VYSE and return to the departure airport for landing, or initiate an approach to the most suitable landing area available. -
AI.XII.F.S8: Simulate securing the inoperative engine. -
AI.XII.F.S9: Maintain heading ±10° and airspeed ±5 knots. -
AI.XII.F.S10: Complete the appropriate checklist(s). -
AI.XII.F.S11: Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Conclusion
Re-Motivation:
- Effective instruction in engine Failure After Liftoff (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.