Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area IX, Task B

The Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Approach and Landing Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with emergency approach and landing procedures.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Emergency Approach and Landing:
    0:10
    Part 3, Emergency Approach and Landing Risk Management:
    0:20
    Part 4, Emergency Approach and Landing Guided Scenario(s):
    0:20
    Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • 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.

  • Motivator:

    • Emergency Approach and Landing simulate an emergency situation where an aircraft is required to descend as rapidly as possible to a forced landing with little or no power (engine failure) available
    • Additionally, Emergency Approach and Landing improve pilot technique for power off turns, wind drift control, planning, orientation, and division of attention
    • Gliding distance varies by airspeed, altitude, obstructions, wind direction, landing directions, landing surface and gradient, and landing distance required
    • When conducted for training expect the instructor to callout (over the ICS) "Simulate Emergency Landing"

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Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

Materials

Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

Materials

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Introduction:
  • Part 2, Emergency Approach and Landing:
    • Explain and apply aircraft-specific immediate actions and emergency procedures, Part 91 emergency deviation authority, and when an FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) report is required after a deviation. (PA.IX.B.K1)
    • Explain and apply best-glide versus minimum-sink purposes and airspeeds; assess wind, atmospheric conditions, configuration, and weight effects on usable glide distance and landing reachability. (PA.IX.B.K2; PA.IX.B.K2a; PA.IX.B.K2b; PA.IX.B.K2c; PA.IX.B.K3)
    • Explain a stabilized emergency approach using energy, path, speed, and configuration management without stretching the glide. (PA.IX.B.K4)
    • Explain installed ELT and other locating-device use, distress versus urgency, and available ATC (Air Traffic Control) assistance and limitations; communicate needs without surrendering aircraft control. (PA.IX.B.K5; PA.IX.B.K6)
    • Assess and select a landing area using altitude, wind, terrain, obstructions, surface, available gliding distance, and landing distance. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS (Airman Certification Standards) standards. (PA.IX.B.R1; PA.IX.B.S3)
    • Assess commitment to or changes in the selected landing path; observe continuous reachability reassessment and a path suited to altitude, wind, terrain, and obstructions. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.IX.B.R2; PA.IX.B.S4)
    • Assess collision hazards and maintain traffic awareness throughout the emergency approach; emergency priority does not ensure separation. (PA.IX.B.R3)
    • Assess configuration hazards and observe AFM (Aircraft Flight Manual)/POH (Pilot's Operating Handbook) configuration appropriate to current conditions without prematurely sacrificing landing reach. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.IX.B.R4; PA.IX.B.S2)
    • Assess low-altitude stall, spin, and CFIT (Controlled Flight into Terrain) hazards; avoid stretching the glide or forcing a steep uncoordinated turn to preserve a failing landing plan. (PA.IX.B.R5)
    • Assess distraction, disorientation, fixation, and loss of awareness; maintain control, landing-path awareness, and task priorities. (PA.IX.B.R6)
    • Observe recommended best-glide airspeed within ACS tolerance, evaluator-specified landing preparation, and checklist completion. Prebrief simulation termination and continue an exercise only with a safe landing or recovery option. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.IX.B.S1; PA.IX.B.S5; PA.IX.B.S6)
    • Discuss monitoring 121.5 MHz (megahertz) when appropriate, the assistance and limitations of ATC during an emergency, and promptly advising when a requested action cannot be performed safely. (PA.IX.B.K6)
    • Discuss ELT automatic/manual activation, 406 MHz alerting and 121.5 MHz homing, registration, inspection/battery/test limits, distress-versus-urgency calls, emergency frequencies and codes, and available ATC assistance. (PA.IX.B.K5; PA.IX.B.K6)
    • Discuss energy management, planned checkpoints, configuration timing, avoiding a stretched glide, and abandoning an original choice before it demands a steep or uncoordinated low-altitude turn. (PA.IX.B.K4; PA.IX.B.R2; PA.IX.B.R5)
    • Teach a disciplined sequence: control and glide; landing-area selection; checklist/restart or securing actions; communications and locating equipment; occupant preparation; configuration; and a stabilized, survivable touchdown. (PA.IX.B.K1; PA.IX.B.K4; PA.IX.B.S2; PA.IX.B.S5; PA.IX.B.S6)
    • Have the student select and continually reassess a landing area using altitude, wind, terrain, obstructions, surface, alignment, available landing distance, occupants, and aircraft condition. (PA.IX.B.R1; PA.IX.B.R2; PA.IX.B.S3; PA.IX.B.S4)
    • Compare best glide and minimum sink, including their different purposes; apply headwind, tailwind, configuration, weight, density altitude, and vertical-air-movement effects to reachability. (PA.IX.B.K2; PA.IX.B.K2a; PA.IX.B.K2b; PA.IX.B.K2c; PA.IX.B.K3)
    • Distinguish forced landing, precautionary landing, and ditching; establish aircraft control and the aircraft-specific glide promptly after a power loss. (PA.IX.B.K1; PA.IX.B.S1)
    • Demonstrate where to find the emergency locator transmitter in the aircraft and its switchology, if able. (PA.IX.B.K5)
  • Part 3, Emergency Approach and Landing Risk Management:
    • Discuss continued traffic scanning, constant-bearing closing threats, and communicating the emergency flight path; priority does not prevent a collision. (PA.IX.B.R3)
    • Require continuous reassessment of reachability, collision threats, configuration, stall/spin and CFIT exposure, workload, fixation, confirmation bias, and late plan changes. (PA.IX.B.R1; PA.IX.B.R2; PA.IX.B.R3; PA.IX.B.R4; PA.IX.B.R5; PA.IX.B.R6)
  • Part 4, Emergency Approach and Landing Guided Scenario(s):
    • Discuss case studies and relate how initial conditions developed into an incident/accident/mishap.
    • Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario to evaluate application of ACS knowledge, risk management, and skills.
  • Part 5, Conclusion:
    • Tie lesson back to previous lessons to reinforce past experiences (law of readiness).
    • Present the conclusion 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.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Approach & Landing Lesson Plan Interactive Guided Scenario

Interactive Guided Scenario

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Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Approach & Landing Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 6 ACS Elements
  • PA.IX.B.K1:
    Immediate action items and emergency procedures.
  • PA.IX.B.K2:
    Airspeed, including:
    • PA.IX.B.K2a:
      Importance of best glide speed and its relationship to distance.
    • PA.IX.B.K2b:
      Difference between best glide speed and minimum sink speed.
    • PA.IX.B.K2c:
      Effects of wind on glide distance.
  • PA.IX.B.K3:
    Effects of atmospheric conditions on emergency approach and landing.
  • PA.IX.B.K4:
    A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
  • PA.IX.B.K5:
    Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) and other emergency locating devices.
  • PA.IX.B.K6:
    Air traffic control (ATC) services to aircraft in distress.
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
Skills 6 ACS Elements
  • PA.IX.B.S2:
    Configure the airplane in accordance with the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)\Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) and existing conditions.
  • PA.IX.B.S3:
    Select a suitable landing area considering altitude, wind, terrain, obstructions, and available glide distance.
  • PA.IX.B.S4:
    Plan and follow a flightpath to the selected landing area considering altitude, wind, terrain, and obstructions.
  • PA.IX.B.S5:
    Prepare for landing as specified by the evaluator.
  • PA.IX.B.S6:
    Complete the appropriate checklist.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) Pilot Qualifications Lesson Plan Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Emergency Approach and Landing 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 Emergency Approach and Landing prepares private 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 FAA provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
    • To learn more about preparing for the practical test, visit the checkride page.