Instrument Rating Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating • ACS Area VII, Task C

The Instrument Rating Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with executing a published instrument approach solely by reference to instruments with one engine inoperative.

Instrument Rating Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated):
    0:25
    Part 3, Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Guided Scenario(s):
    0:25
    Part 4, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Research and present a mishap case study:
      • Ask the learner to describe prior knowledge or experience related to instrument approach and landing with an inoperative engine simulated.
    • 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

  • Motivator:

    • Explain how proficiency in instrument approach and landing with an inoperative engine simulated supports safe and effective flight operations.

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Instrument Rating Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Materials

Instrument Rating Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated):
    • Explain and assess the essential knowledge and procedures associated with instrument approach and landing with an inoperative engine simulated.
    • Explain and assess instrument approach procedures with one engine inoperative. (IR.VII.C.K1)
    • Discuss the hazards, performance consequences, and decision points associated with a potential engine failure during approach and landing. (IR.VII.C.R1)
    • Discuss configuration choices that preserve aircraft control and available single-engine performance. (IR.VII.C.R3)
    • Manage the hazards of low-altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, and controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). (IR.VII.C.R4)
    • Manage distractions and task priorities to prevent loss of situational awareness or disorientation. (IR.VII.C.R5)
    • Evaluate the risks and decision points associated with a go-around or rejected landing following an engine failure. (IR.VII.C.R6)
    • Before reaching minimums, have the learner brief the expected airport and runway environment—including runway alignment, approach-lighting cues, threshold location, and where the required visual references are likely to appear—so the transition to visual flight is anticipated rather than surprising.
  • Part 3, Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Guided Scenario(s):
    • Present a realistic instrument approach and landing with an inoperative engine simulated scenario and have the learner identify hazards, make appropriate decisions, and explain the proposed course of action.
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to promptly recognize an engine failure and maintain positive aircraft control. (IR.VII.C.S1)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to comply with the published criteria for the aircraft approach category if circling. (IR.VII.C.S11)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to complete the appropriate checklist(s). (IR.VII.C.S13)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate. (IR.VII.C.S14)
    • 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). (IR.VII.C.S2)
    • 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. (IR.VII.C.S3)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to follow the manufacturer’s recommended emergency procedures and complete the appropriate checklist. (IR.VII.C.S4)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to monitor the operating engine and aircraft systems and make adjustments as necessary. (IR.VII.C.S5)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to request and follow an actual or a simulated air traffic control (ATC) clearance for an instrument approach. (IR.VII.C.S6)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to maintain altitude ±100 feet or minimum sink rate if applicable, airspeed ±10 knots, and selected heading ±10°. (IR.VII.C.S7)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to establish a rate of descent that ensures arrival at the minimum descent altitude (MDA) or decision altitude (DA)/decision height (DH) with the airplane in a position from which a descent to a landing on the intended runway can be made, either straight in or circling as appropriate. (IR.VII.C.S8)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to maintain vertical guidance, as applicable, and lateral guidance within ¾-scale deflection on the final approach segment. (IR.VII.C.S9)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to maintain aircraft control and operate within the aircraft's limitations. (IR.VII.C.S10)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to execute a landing. (IR.VII.C.S12)
  • Part 4, Lesson Conclusion:
    • Debrief engine-failure recognition, aircraft control, drag reduction, configuration, checklist use, ATC (Air Traffic Control) coordination, approach stabilization, landing or go-around judgment, and operation within the multiengine airplane's limitations.
    • Reinforce the learner's planned transition to the expected airport and runway environment before reaching minimums.
    • Discuss the possible differences between calculated performance and actual performance.
    • 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 instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Instrument Rating Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Interactive Guided Scenario

Interactive Guided Scenario

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Instrument Rating Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Instrument Rating Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Instrument Rating Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with executing a published instrument approach 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.
  • Note: For non-amphibious seaplanes, this task applies only when the applicant has immediate access to an instrument approach to a waterway.
  • References: 14 CFR part 91; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-16, FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); POH/AFM; Terminal Procedures Publications.
Knowledge 1 ACS Element
  • IR.VII.C.K1:
    Instrument approach procedures with one engine inoperative.
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
Skills 14 ACS Elements
  • IR.VII.C.S1:
    Promptly recognize an engine failure and maintain positive aircraft control.
  • IR.VII.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).
  • IR.VII.C.S3:
    Use flight controls in the proper combination as recommended by the manufacturer, or as required to maintain best performance, and trim as required.
  • IR.VII.C.S5:
    Monitor the operating engine and aircraft systems and make adjustments as necessary.
  • IR.VII.C.S6:
    Request and follow an actual or a simulated air traffic control (ATC) clearance for an instrument approach.
  • IR.VII.C.S7:
    Maintain altitude ±100 feet or minimum sink rate if applicable, airspeed ±10 knots, and selected heading ±10°.
  • IR.VII.C.S8:
    Establish a rate of descent that ensures arrival at the minimum descent altitude (MDA) or decision altitude (DA)/decision height (DH) with the airplane in a position from which a descent to a landing on the intended runway can be made, either straight in or circling as appropriate.
  • IR.VII.C.S9:
    On final approach segment, maintain vertical (as applicable) and lateral guidance within 3/4-scale deflection.
  • IR.VII.C.S10:
    Maintain control and fly within the aircraft's operating limitations.
  • IR.VII.C.S11:
    Comply with the published criteria for the aircraft approach category if circling.
  • IR.VII.C.S12:
    Execute a landing.
  • IR.VII.C.S13:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • IR.VII.C.S14:
    Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Instrument Rating Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Instrument Approach and Landing with An Inoperative Engine Simulated 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 Instrument Approach and Landing with An Inoperative Engine Simulated prepares instrument pilots to manage more complex failures while preserving the margins needed for a safe outcome.

  • Closure:

    • Inform students that this lesson will serve as a starting point for the next lesson.
    • Advise the student to register for the WINGS program if they have not already done so.
    • Advise the student to complete BasicMed if they have not already done so.
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson.
    • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
    • To learn more about preparing for the practical test, visit the checkride page.