Instrument Rating One Engine Inoperative Simulated During Straight & Level Flight & Turns Lesson Plan
Instrument Rating (Airplane) • ACS Area VII, Task B
The Instrument Rating (Airplane) One Engine Inoperative (Simulated) During Straight-and-Level Flight and Turns Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flight solely by reference to instruments with one engine inoperative.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, One Engine Inoperative (Simulated) During Straight-and-Level Flight and Turns:0:25Part 3, One Engine Inoperative (Simulated) During Straight-and-Level Flight and Turns Guided Scenario(s):0:25Part 4, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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Attention Getter:
- Research and present a mishap case study:
- 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
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Motivator:
- Prompt recognition and disciplined control following an engine failure are essential to preserving directional control, aircraft performance, and safe options during instrument flight.
Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Pilot Operating Handbook
- Weight & Balance Form Template
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
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Reference Materials:
- Lost Communication Supplement.
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Aerodynamics and Performance Supplement.
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)'s Online Learning Course - Essential Aerodynamics.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Multiengine Operations Supplement
- Flight Deck Management Supplement.
- Crew Resource Management Supplement.
- Test-taking Guidance.
- Test Guides.
- The Checkride Supplement.
Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards (ACS).
- Part 2, One Engine Inoperative (Simulated) During Straight-and-Level Flight and Turns:
- Explain and assess the essential knowledge and procedures associated with one engine inoperative simulated during straight and level flight and turns.
- Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain the procedures used when an engine failure occurs during straight-and-level flight or turns while operating solely by reference to instruments. (IR.VII.B.K1)
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply positive identification and verification of the inoperative engine before taking action. (IR.VII.B.R1)
- Evaluate whether the multiengine airplane can climb or maintain altitude with one engine inoperative and select a safe course of action. (IR.VII.B.R2)
- Manage the hazards of low-altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, and controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). (IR.VII.B.R3)
- Manage distractions and task priorities to prevent loss of situational awareness or disorientation. (IR.VII.B.R4)
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply fuel management during single-engine operation. (IR.VII.B.R5)
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply configuration choices that reduce drag while preserving aircraft control and available single-engine performance. (IR.VII.B.R6)
- Part 3, One Engine Inoperative (Simulated) During Straight-and-Level Flight and Turns Guided Scenario(s):
- Present a realistic one engine inoperative simulated during straight and level flight and turns 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.B.S1)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate. (IR.VII.B.S11)
- 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.B.S2)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to establish the best engine-inoperative airspeed and trim the airplane. (IR.VII.B.S3)
- 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.B.S4)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to verify the prescribed checklist procedures used for securing the inoperative engine. (IR.VII.B.S5)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to attempt to determine and resolve the reason for the engine failure. (IR.VII.B.S6)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to monitor engine functions and make necessary adjustments. (IR.VII.B.S7)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to maintain the specified altitude ±100 feet or minimum sink rate if applicable, airspeed ±10 knots, and the specified heading ±10°. (IR.VII.B.S8)
- Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to assess the aircraft’s performance capability and decide an appropriate action to ensure a safe landing. (IR.VII.B.S9)
- Demonstrate and assess maintaining control and operating within the multiengine airplane's limitations throughout the maneuver. (IR.VII.B.S10)
- Part 4, Lesson Conclusion:
- Debrief engine-failure recognition, positive aircraft control, drag reduction, engine identification and verification, checklist use, performance assessment, fuel management, and the decision leading to a safe landing.
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply 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 the instructor log and student progress. Select the student and sign off completed objectives. If the student does not have a connected account, record the update manually in the instructor log and student training record.
Interactive Guided Scenario
Instrument Rating (Airplane) One Engine Inoperative Simulated During Straight And Level Flight And Turns Guided Flight
Work through one integrated 90-decision guided scenario combining 6 linked lesson topics into a comprehensive training exercise.
Decision 1
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Scenario Complete
Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Find all limitations in the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH).
- Complete or review AOPA's Online Learning Course - Essential Aerodynamics.
- Ask pertinent questions.
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
Airman Certification Standards
Instrument Rating (Airplane) One Engine Inoperative (Simulated) During Straight-and-Level Flight and Turns Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flight solely by reference to instruments with one engine inoperative.
- Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight.
- References: FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); POH/AFM.
Knowledge 1 ACS Element
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IR.VII.B.K1: Procedures used if engine failure occurs during straight-and-level flight and turns while on instruments.
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
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IR.VII.B.R1: -
IR.VII.B.R2: Inability to climb or maintain altitude with an inoperative engine. -
IR.VII.B.R3: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). -
IR.VII.B.R4: -
IR.VII.B.R5: Fuel management during single-engine operation. -
IR.VII.B.R6: Configuring the aircraft.
Skills 11 ACS Elements
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IR.VII.B.S1: Promptly recognize an engine failure and maintain positive aircraft control. -
IR.VII.B.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.B.S3: Establish the best engine-inoperative airspeed and trim the airplane. -
IR.VII.B.S4: 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.B.S5: Verify the prescribed checklist procedures used for securing the inoperative engine. -
IR.VII.B.S6: Attempt to determine and resolve the reason for the engine failure. -
IR.VII.B.S7: Monitor engine functions and make necessary adjustments. -
IR.VII.B.S8: Maintain the specified altitude ±100 feet or minimum sink rate if applicable, airspeed ±10 knots, and the specified heading ±10°. -
IR.VII.B.S9: Assess the aircraft's performance capability and decide an appropriate action to ensure a safe landing. -
IR.VII.B.S10: Maintain control and fly within the aircraft's operating limitations. -
IR.VII.B.S11: Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- One Engine Inoperative Simulated during Straight and Level Flight and Turns 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 One Engine Inoperative Simulated during Straight and Level Flight and Turns prepares instrument pilots to manage more complex failures while preserving the margins needed for a safe outcome.
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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.