Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area IX, Task A
The Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with emergency descent.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Emergency Descent:0:10Part 3, Emergency Descent Risk Management:0:20Part 4, Emergency Descent Guided Scenario(s):0:20Part 5, 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:
- An emergency descent is a maneuver for descending as rapidly as possible to a lower altitude or to the ground for an emergency landing
- The objective is to descend the airplane as soon and as rapidly as possible while not exceeding any structural limitations of the airplane
Instructor Actions
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) or an internet-enabled device to access FARs.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
- Instructor endorsement log.
- Pilot Logbook.
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Reference Materials:
- Emergency Descent Supplement.
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance Supplement.
- Flight Deck Management Supplement.
- Clearing Turns Supplement.
- Register for the WINGS Program.
- Basicmed.
- Medxpress System.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Crew Resource Management Supplement.
- Test-taking Guidance.
- Test Guides.
- The Checkride Supplement.
Materials
- Review the maneuver's common errors and assess the learner's understanding of their mitigations.
- Review Emergency Descent common errors and mitigations.
- Use the guidance appropriate to the aircraft and visual or instrument flight conditions.
- Review the supporting-topic common errors and assess the learner's understanding of their mitigations.
- Review Clearing Turns common errors and mitigations.
- Apply the guidance appropriate to the aircraft and visual or instrument flight conditions.
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Introduction:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention-getter and motivator.
- Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain the emergency descent definition and objective.
- Review the airman certification standards for emergency descent.
- Part 2, Emergency Descent:
- Explain when depressurization, smoke, fire, or another time-critical condition requires an emergency descent; apply aircraft-specific immediate actions and emergency procedures. (PA.IX.A.K1; PA.IX.A.K2)
- Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain and observe AFM (Aircraft Flight Manual)/POH (Pilot's Operating Handbook) airspeed, configuration, performance, and structural limitations appropriate to the emergency-descent condition. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS (Airman Certification Standards) standards. (PA.IX.A.K3; PA.IX.A.S2)
- Assess altitude, wind, terrain, obstructions, gliding reach, and available landing distance when selecting the descent path and recovery or landing option. (PA.IX.A.R1)
- Assess collision hazards and observe clearing and continued traffic scanning before and during the descent. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.IX.A.R2; PA.IX.A.S1)
- Assess configuration-change hazards and use approved settings and sequencing without exceeding component or structural limits. (PA.IX.A.R3)
- Assess distraction, disorientation, task-priority, and awareness hazards; observe orientation, appropriate divided attention, single-pilot or crew resource management, and a planned smooth recovery. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.IX.A.R4; PA.IX.A.S3; PA.IX.A.S8)
- Observe ACS bank-angle and positive-load-factor requirements, appropriate descent airspeed within ACS tolerance, and level-off at the specified altitude within tolerance. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.IX.A.S4; PA.IX.A.S5)
- Observe appropriate checklists and radio calls without delaying control or time-critical emergency actions. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.IX.A.S6; PA.IX.A.S7)
- Contrast routine and emergency descents; discuss using reliable attitude and flight-path references when visual or vestibular sensations are misleading.
- Use only AFM/POH-approved airspeeds and configurations, remain within operating and structural limits, and plan the level-off early enough to avoid excessive loading or altitude overshoot.
- For depressurization, use oxygen and the aircraft-specific procedure promptly; for smoke or fire, follow the applicable checklist and do not delay a necessary landing while troubleshooting.
- Select a descent direction and recovery altitude that account for terrain, obstructions, wind, glide or powered reach, available landing distance, and the possibility of transitioning directly to a landing.
- Discuss situations that would require an emergency descent (e.g., depressurization, smoke, or engine fire). (PA.IX.A.K1)
- Discuss emergency descent considerations, including:
- collision hazards and traffic scan responsibilities (PA.IX.A.R2)
- configuring the airplane (POH/AFM procedures and limitations) (PA.IX.A.R3)
- distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. (PA.IX.A.R4)
- Discuss emergency descent procedure, including:
- performing clearing turns.
- establishing and maintaining appropriate airspeed and configuration (POH/AFM)
- using bank angle between 30° and 45° to maintain positive load factors
- planning and executing a smooth recovery and level-off at the specified altitude
- completing appropriate checklist(s) and making radio calls as appropriate
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply emergency descent common errors.
- Review the Emergency Descent airman certification standards and confirm each ACS element is addressed in the lesson flow.
- Part 3, Emergency Descent Risk Management:
- Have the student prioritize aircraft control, the time-critical threat, terrain and traffic avoidance, a safe recovery or landing path, and only then nonessential communications or troubleshooting.
- Part 4, Emergency Descent 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:
- Review (quiz):
- Verify understanding of emergency descent situations, limitations, configuration considerations, and procedural priorities.
- Emphasize risk management: traffic, terrain/obstructions, aircraft limitations, task prioritization, and disorientation.
- 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.
- Review (quiz):
- 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 Descent Lesson Plan Interactive Guided Scenario
Private Pilot Airplane Emergency Descent Guided Flight
Work through one integrated 105-decision guided scenario combining 7 linked lesson topics into a comprehensive training exercise.
Decision 1
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Scenario Complete
Student Actions
- Review the maneuver's common errors and explain how to prevent and correct each applicable error.
- Review Emergency Descent common errors and mitigations.
- Use the guidance appropriate to the aircraft and visual or instrument flight conditions.
- Review the supporting-topic common errors and explain how you will prevent and correct each applicable error.
- Review Clearing Turns common errors and mitigations.
- Apply the guidance appropriate to the aircraft and visual or instrument flight conditions.
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Register for the WINGS program, if not done so already.
- Complete initial BasicMed requirements.
- Complete a student pilot certificate application through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website or by paper using FAA form 8710-1.
- Complete an electronic application for an FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Medical Clearance, Medical Certificate, or Student Pilot Medical Certificate through the FAA's MedXPress system.
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Ask pertinent questions.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
Airman Certification Standards
Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with emergency descent.
- Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight
- References: FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); POH/AFM.
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
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PA.IX.A.K1: Situations that would require an emergency descent (e.g., depressurization, smoke, or engine fire). -
PA.IX.A.K2: -
PA.IX.A.K3: -
PA.IX.A.K3: Aircraft performance and limitations.
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
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PA.IX.A.R1: Altitude, wind, terrain, obstructions, gliding distance, and available landing distance considerations. -
PA.IX.A.R2: -
PA.IX.A.R3: Configuring the airplane. -
PA.IX.A.R4:
Skills 8 ACS Elements
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PA.IX.A.S1: Clear the area. -
PA.IX.A.S2: Establish and maintain the appropriate airspeed and configuration appropriate to the scenario specified by the evaluator and as covered in Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)/Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) for the emergency descent. -
PA.IX.A.S3: Maintain orientation, divide attention appropriately, and plan and execute a smooth recovery. -
PA.IX.A.S4: Use bank angle between 30° and 45° to maintain positive load factors during the descent. -
PA.IX.A.S5: Maintain appropriate airspeed +0/-10 knots, and level off at a specified altitude ±100 feet. -
PA.IX.A.S6: Complete the appropriate checklist(s). -
PA.IX.A.S7: Make radio calls as appropriate. -
PA.IX.A.S8: Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Emergency Descent 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 Descent prepares private 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 FAA provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
- To learn more about preparing for the practical test, visit the checkride page.