Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan
The Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with emergency descent.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan 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 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
Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan Materials
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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:
- Aeronautical Decision-Making Supplement.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 61.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 68.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.
- Advisory Circular 68-1.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Airman Certification Standards:
- Hard copies of the ACS and Oral Exam Guides are available on Amazon.
- Digital copies of the ACS are available on the FAA's website.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan Materials
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Step 1, Introduction:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention-getter and motivator.
- Review the emergency descent definition and objective.
- Review the airman certification standards for emergency descent.
- Step 2, Emergency Descent:
- Discuss situations that would require an emergency descent (e.g., depressurization, smoke, or engine fire).
- Discuss emergency descent considerations, including:
- collision hazards and traffic scan responsibilities
- configuring the airplane (POH/AFM procedures and limitations)
- distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation
- 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
- Discuss emergency descent common errors.
- Review the Emergency Descent airman certification standards and confirm each ACS element is addressed in the lesson flow.
- Part 1, Emergency Descent Risk Management:
- Part 2, Emergency Descent 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.
- Step 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.
- Present the conclusion and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
- Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
- Review (quiz):
- Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan Guided Scenario(s)
Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan Student Actions
- 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 Medical Clearance, Medical Certificate, or Student Pilot Medical Certificate through the FAA's MedXPress system.
- Complete or review AOPA's Online Learning Course - Transitioning to Other Airplanes.
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Ask pertinent questions.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
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.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:-
PA.IX.A.K1:
Situations that would require an emergency descent (e.g., depressurization, smoke, or engine fire). -
PA.IX.A.K2:
Immediate action items and emergency procedures. -
PA.IX.A.K3:
Airspeed, including airspeed limitations. -
PA.IX.A.K3:
Aircraft performance and limitations.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:-
PA.IX.A.R1:
Altitude, wind, terrain, obstructions, gliding distance, and available landing distance considerations. -
PA.IX.A.R2:
Collision hazards. -
PA.IX.A.R3:
Configuring the airplane. -
PA.IX.A.R4:
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:-
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.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- With a foundation on the requirements to meet certification standards, students can envision a path to certification completion.
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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 earning the practical test, visit the checkride page.