Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) Lesson Plan

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

The Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with engine failure after liftoff.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Engine Failure After Liftoff Procedures:
    0:10
    Part 3, Engine Failure After Liftoff Risk Management:
    0:20
    Part 4, Engine Failure After Liftoff 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:
      • Ask the learner to describe prior knowledge or experience related to engine failure after liftoff simulated.
    • 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:

    • Explain how proficiency in engine failure after liftoff simulated supports safe and effective flight operations.

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Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Materials

Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    • If not previously discussed, provide expectations on time to train, ground instruction vs. flight instruction, and instructor/student availability.
    • Review the lesson plan, including the attention and motivator.
    • Review the airman certification standards.
  • Part 2, Engine Failure After Liftoff Procedures:
    • Explain aircraft-specific VMC factors and distinguish the red-line control reference from blue-line VYSE performance; neither guarantees climb in the actual conditions. Explain VSSE and its role in safe simulation. (PA.IX.F.K1) (PA.IX.F.K2)
    • Explain accelerate-stop and accelerate-go data and assess actual after-liftoff engine-failure performance, available landing options, terrain, and obstacles before departure. (PA.IX.F.K3) (PA.IX.F.R1)
    • Explain and observe aircraft-specific engine-control settings, identification and verification of the failed engine, drag reduction, simulated feathering and securing, and appropriate checklist use; coordinate evaluator establishment of zero thrust. Distinguish applicant simulated-feathering duties from evaluator zero-thrust responsibilities. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.IX.F.K4) (PA.IX.F.K6) (PA.IX.F.S4) (PA.IX.F.S8) (PA.IX.F.S10)
    • Explain and observe manufacturer-directed gear, flap, propeller, control, and trim use for drag reduction and best performance, including zero-sideslip guidance. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.IX.F.K5) (PA.IX.F.S3) (PA.IX.F.S5)
    • Assess collision hazards during engine-out maneuvering; maintain scanning and choose a path clear of traffic, terrain, and obstacles. (PA.IX.F.R2)
    • Assess incorrect or premature configuration changes and verify aircraft-specific sequencing, actual configuration, controllability, and performance. (PA.IX.F.R3)
    • Assess low-altitude stall, spin, and CFIT hazards; preserve controllability and speed margin and choose a viable landing path rather than demand unavailable climb performance. (PA.IX.F.R4)
    • Assess distraction, fixation, disorientation, and lost-awareness hazards during the engine failure; prioritize aircraft control, flight path, and traffic awareness before troubleshooting. (PA.IX.F.R5)
    • Observe prompt recognition, positive control, and appropriate emergency procedures in a prebriefed simulation; do not introduce the airborne simulated failure below the ACS altitude and airspeed safeguards. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.IX.F.S1)
    • Begin no lower than 400 feet AGL (Above Ground Level) and no slower than the applicable VSSE, VXSE, or VYSE; use more conservative aircraft or instructional limits when necessary.
    • Observe selection of VYSE or the applicable obstacle-clearance speed from the ACS and AFM/POH, then transition to VYSE; assess actual capability and select a suitable landing option if climb cannot be maintained rather than sacrifice control. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.IX.F.S2) (PA.IX.F.S7)
    • Observe monitoring of the operating engine and aircraft systems, with appropriate adjustments within limitations. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.IX.F.S6)
    • Observe specified heading and airspeed within ACS tolerances during the simulated engine-failure response. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.IX.F.S9)
  • Part 3, Engine Failure After Liftoff Risk Management:
    • Before departure, evaluate actual accelerate-go capability, terrain, obstacles, and landing options for an engine failure after liftoff. (PA.IX.F.R1)
    • Maintain collision avoidance while dividing attention among aircraft control, traffic, terrain, and emergency procedures. (PA.IX.F.R2)
    • Delay configuration changes until appropriate and verify actual gear, flap, and propeller position before relying on expected single-engine performance. (PA.IX.F.R3)
    • Manage low-altitude stall, spin, and CFIT hazards by preserving controllability, the required airspeed margin, and a viable landing path. (PA.IX.F.R4)
    • Prioritize aircraft control and flight path when distraction, task saturation, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation occurs. (PA.IX.F.R5)
  • Part 4, Engine Failure After Liftoff Guided Scenario(s):
    • Lead a guided scenario that requires the learner to evaluate actual performance, recognize the simulated failure, maintain control, establish the appropriate airspeed, reduce drag, simulate feathering and securing, monitor the operating engine, select a viable landing option, and complete the appropriate checklist within ACS (Airman Certification Standards) tolerances.
  • Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:
    • 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 instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) Lesson Plan Interactive Guided Scenario

Interactive Guided Scenario

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Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with engine failure after liftoff
  • Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); FAA-P-8740-66; POH/AFM.
Knowledge 6 ACS Elements
  • PA.IX.F.K1:
    Factors affecting minimum controllable speed VMC.
  • PA.IX.F.K2:
    VMC (red line), VYSE (blue line), and safe single-engine speed (VSSE).
  • PA.IX.F.K3:
    Accelerate/stop and accelerate/go distances.
  • PA.IX.F.K4:
    How to identify, verify, feather, and secure an inoperative engine.
  • PA.IX.F.K5:
    Importance of drag reduction, including propeller feathering, gear and flap retraction, the manufacturer's recommended control input and its relation to zero sideslip.
  • PA.IX.F.K6:
    Simulated propeller feathering and the evaluator's zero-thrust procedures and responsibilities.
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
Skills 10 ACS Elements
  • PA.IX.F.S1:
    Promptly recognize an engine failure, maintain control, and use appropriate emergency procedures.
  • PA.IX.F.S2:
    Establish VYSE; if obstructions are present, establish best single-engine angle of climb speed (VXSE) or VMC +5 knots, whichever is greater, until obstructions are cleared. Then transition to VYSE.
  • PA.IX.F.S3:
    Reduce drag by retracting landing gear and flaps in accordance with the manufacturer's guidance.
  • PA.IX.F.S4:
    Simulate feathering the propeller on the inoperative engine (evaluator should then establish zero thrust on the inoperative engine).
  • PA.IX.F.S6:
    Monitor the operating engine and aircraft systems and make adjustments as necessary.
  • PA.IX.F.S7:
    Recognize the airplane's performance capabilities. If a climb is not possible at VYSE, maintain VYSE and return to the departure airport for landing, or initiate an approach to the most suitable landing area available.
  • PA.IX.F.S8:
    Simulate securing the inoperative engine.
  • PA.IX.F.S9:
    Maintain heading ±10° and airspeed ±5 knots.
  • PA.IX.F.S10:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Private Pilot (Airplane) Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Engine Failure after Liftoff Simulated 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 Engine Failure after Liftoff Simulated 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.