Flight Instructor (Airplane) Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative (AMEL, AMES) Lesson Plan
Flight Instructor (Airplane) • ACS Area XIII, Task A
The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative (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 maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative (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.
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Motivator:
- To determine the applicant understands one engine inoperative, 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, Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), and electronic flight bag, as applicable.
- Airplane, cockpit procedures trainer, approved training device, or classroom teaching aids, as appropriate.
Reference Materials:
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airman Certification Standards (ACS).
- 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 XIII, Task A, and the Airman Certification Standards.
- State the lesson objective: To determine the applicant understands one engine inoperative, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
- Part 2, Instructional Knowledge:
- Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain the aerodynamic, performance, configuration, loading, and environmental factors that affect minimum controllable speed (VMC). (AI.XIII.A.K1)
- Distinguish VMC (red line) from best single-engine rate-of-climb speed, VYSE (blue line), and explain how each is used after an engine failure. (AI.XIII.A.K2)
- Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply the manufacturer-approved sequence for identifying, verifying, feathering, and securing the inoperative engine without sacrificing aircraft control. (AI.XIII.A.K3)
- Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain drag reduction through propeller feathering, landing-gear and flap retraction, and manufacturer-recommended control inputs for zero sideslip and best performance. (AI.XIII.A.K4)
- Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply feathering, securing, unfeathering, and restart procedures, including limitations and conditions that make a restart inadvisable. (AI.XIII.A.K5)
- Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply recognition, prevention, and correction of common one-engine-inoperative maneuvering errors. (AI.XIII.A.K6)
- Part 3, Risk Management Instruction:
- Anticipate engine failure during flight and brief control priorities, decision points, suitable landing options, and conditions for securing or restarting the engine. (AI.XIII.A.R1)
- Mitigate collision hazards through clearing, traffic awareness, appropriate training area selection, and timely transfer of aircraft control. (AI.XIII.A.R2)
- Manage configuration changes in the correct sequence while considering performance, controllability, and the risk of moving the wrong control. (AI.XIII.A.R3)
- Establish altitude and maneuvering limits that prevent stall, spin, loss of control, or controlled flight into terrain during simulated engine-inoperative operations. (AI.XIII.A.R4)
- Manage distractions and task prioritization while maintaining aircraft control, situational awareness, and orientation. (AI.XIII.A.R5)
- 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 recognition of an engine failure, immediate aircraft control, manufacturer memory items, and appropriate emergency procedures. (AI.XIII.A.S1)
- Demonstrate, teach, and assess setting engine controls, identifying and verifying the inoperative engine, and feathering the correct propeller. (AI.XIII.A.S2)
- Use the manufacturer-recommended combination of flight controls and trim to maintain controllability and best performance. (AI.XIII.A.S3)
- Determine whether the cause of the engine failure can be safely identified and corrected without compromising aircraft control. (AI.XIII.A.S4)
- Secure the inoperative engine, monitor the operating engine, and make required power, mixture, cooling, and fuel-system adjustments. (AI.XIII.A.S5)
- When appropriate, demonstrate and teach restart of the inoperative engine using the manufacturer's procedure. (AI.XIII.A.S6)
- Maintain altitude within ±100 feet or minimum sink rate, as applicable, airspeed within ±10 knots, and selected headings within ±10°. (AI.XIII.A.S7)
- Complete and verify the appropriate checklists without losing aircraft control or situational awareness. (AI.XIII.A.S8)
- Analyze common errors, demonstrate effective corrections, and assess the applicant's ability to teach those corrections. (AI.XIII.A.S9)
- 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 maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative (AMEL, AMES) while maintaining an organized lesson flow and an appropriate level of learner participation.
- Require the instructor applicant to brief the simulated-failure method, minimum altitudes, configuration limits, transfer-of-control procedures, recovery criteria, and suitable landing options. (AI.XIII.A.R1) (AI.XIII.A.R2) (AI.XIII.A.R3) (AI.XIII.A.R4)
- Have the applicant teach a simulated engine failure from recognition through control, identification, verification, feathering, securing, performance assessment, checklist completion, and an appropriate restart or landing decision. (AI.XIII.A.S1) (AI.XIII.A.S2) (AI.XIII.A.S3) (AI.XIII.A.S4) (AI.XIII.A.S5) (AI.XIII.A.S6) (AI.XIII.A.S7) (AI.XIII.A.S8)
- 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) Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative (AMEL, AMES) Airman Certification Standards
- Note: The evaluator must assess all Tasks.
- Task A: Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative (AMEL, AMES).
- Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight.
- Objective: To determine the applicant understands one engine inoperative, 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
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AI.XIII.A.K1: Factors affecting minimum controllable speed (VMC). -
AI.XIII.A.K2: VMC (red line) and best single-engine rate of climb airspeed (VYSE) (blue line). -
AI.XIII.A.K3: How to identify, verify, feather, and secure an inoperative engine. -
AI.XIII.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. -
AI.XIII.A.K5: Feathering, securing, unfeathering, and restarting. -
AI.XIII.A.K6: Common errors related to this Task.
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
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AI.XIII.A.R1: Potential engine failure during flight. -
AI.XIII.A.R2: Collision hazards. -
AI.XIII.A.R3: Configuring the airplane. -
AI.XIII.A.R4: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). -
AI.XIII.A.R5: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 9 ACS Elements
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AI.XIII.A.S1: Recognize an engine failure, maintain control, use manufacturer’s memory item procedures, and use appropriate emergency procedures. -
AI.XIII.A.S2: Set the engine controls, identify and verify the inoperative engine, and feather the appropriate propeller. -
AI.XIII.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. -
AI.XIII.A.S4: Attempt to determine and resolve the reason for the engine failure. -
AI.XIII.A.S5: Secure the inoperative engine and monitor the operating engine and make necessary adjustments. -
AI.XIII.A.S6: Restart the inoperative engine using manufacturer’s restart procedures. -
AI.XIII.A.S7: Maintain altitude ±100 feet or minimum sink rate if applicable, airspeed ±10 knots, and selected headings ±10°. -
AI.XIII.A.S8: Complete the appropriate checklist(s). -
AI.XIII.A.S9: Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.
Conclusion
Re-Motivation:
- Effective instruction in maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative (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.