Flight Instructor (Airplane) Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan

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

The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan covers the instructional knowledge, risk management, and skills required by FAA-S-ACS-25.

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (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 engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (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 engine failure during takeoff, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

Help Us Grow

Enjoy CFI Notebook? A one-time donation helps us create more high-quality lessons, quizzes, scenarios, graphics, and interactive tools.

One-Time Donation
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan

Materials

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (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 E, and the Airman Certification Standards.
    • State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands engine failure during takeoff, 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 that affect minimum control speed (VMC), including power, density altitude, weight, center of gravity, configuration, bank, and the condition of the critical engine. (AI.XII.E.K1)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain the meaning and operational significance of VMC (red line) and best single-engine rate-of-climb speed, VYSE (blue line), while emphasizing that neither speed justifies continuing a takeoff when the failure occurs before VMC. (AI.XII.E.K2)
    • Have the learner use a concrete example to explain how accelerate-stop distance is determined and applied to runway or water-run suitability, takeoff planning, reject criteria, and the available stopping area. (AI.XII.E.K3)
    • Teach the learner to recognize, prevent, and correct common errors, including delayed power reduction, fixation on continuing the takeoff, improper directional-control inputs, and ineffective braking or stopping technique. (AI.XII.E.K4)
  • Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
    • Require a takeoff briefing that anticipates an engine failure before VMC, establishes an immediate reject decision, and accounts for runway or water-run length, surface, wind, obstacles, and stopping options. (AI.XII.E.R1)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply configuration planning that supports prompt deceleration and stopping without creating unnecessary drag, directional-control difficulty, or premature configuration changes during the rejected takeoff. (AI.XII.E.R2)
    • Require the learner to prioritize directional control and power reduction, manage startle and distractions, maintain situational awareness, and defer nonessential tasks until the airplane or seaplane is under control. (AI.XII.E.R3)
    • 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 smooth, prompt closure of both throttles when the simulated engine failure occurs. (AI.XII.E.S1)
    • Demonstrate, teach, and assess maintaining directional control and applying brakes in an AMEL, or using the flight controls appropriately in an AMES, to decelerate and stop safely. (AI.XII.E.S2)
    • Have the instructor applicant analyze and correct common errors while preserving positive control and an immediate rejected-takeoff response. (AI.XII.E.S3)
    • 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) Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • The instructor applicant must teach a simulated engine-failure-during-takeoff-before-VMC lesson appropriate to an AMEL or AMES while maintaining an organized lesson flow and meaningful learner participation.
  • Assign runway or water-run conditions and require a takeoff briefing that defines the engine-failure response, reject point, directional-control plan, and available stopping area. (AI.XII.E.R1)
  • Require the instructor applicant to coach smooth, prompt closure of both throttles at the simulated failure indication. (AI.XII.E.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) Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (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) Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Flight Instructor (Airplane) Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (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 E: Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (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 during takeoff, 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 4 ACS Elements
  • AI.XII.E.K1:
    Factors affecting minimum controllable speed (VMC).
  • AI.XII.E.K2:
    VMC (red line) and best single-engine rate of climb airspeed (VYSE) (blue line).
  • AI.XII.E.K3:
    Accelerate/stop distance.
  • AI.XII.E.K4:
    Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
  • AI.XII.E.R1:
    Potential engine failure during takeoff.
  • AI.XII.E.R2:
    Configuring the airplane.
  • AI.XII.E.R3:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 3 ACS Elements
  • AI.XII.E.S1:
    Close the throttles smoothly and promptly when a simulated engine failure occurs.
  • AI.XII.E.S2:
    Maintain directional control and apply brakes (AMEL), or flight controls (AMES), as necessary.
  • AI.XII.E.S3:
    Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Flight Instructor (Airplane) Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Effective instruction in engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (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.