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

Instructor Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

Materials

  • Review the maneuver's common errors and assess the learner's understanding of their mitigations.
  • 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)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain a stabilized emergency approach using energy, path, speed, and configuration management without stretching the glide. (PA.IX.B.K4)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner 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)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply 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)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply 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)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply 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)
    • Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply 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:
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply 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):
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply 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 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.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

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

Integrated guided scenario for Private Pilot Airplane Emergency Approach And Landing.

Private Pilot Airplane Emergency Approach And Landing Guided Flight

Work through one integrated 105-decision guided scenario combining 7 linked lesson topics into a comprehensive training exercise.

105 Decisions7 TopicsIntegrated Guided ScenarioConsequence-BasedRetry and Debrief
Decision 1
0%

Scenario Complete

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.