Private Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area X, Task D

The Private Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with executing a published instrument approach solely by reference to instruments with one engine inoperative.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine Fundamentals:
    1:15
    Part 3, Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Procedures:
    1:15
    Part 4, Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine Risk Management:
    0:20
    Part 5, Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine Guided Scenario(s):
    0:20
    Part 6, 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:

    • Diversions are deviations from the original plan which are usually due to fuel, weather, aeromedical or systems
    • While no one plans to divert, the first time the situation dictates a diversion, you should have already planned ahead.
    • Practice develops skills necessary for plotting a new course and determining a new ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) while en route
    • Diversions occur due to low fuel, bad weather, fatigue, illness, airplane or system malfunction, and others
    • Although the concept is the same, their procedures can be dramatically different when flying Visual Flight Rules (VFR) or Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)

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Private Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Materials

Private Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine Fundamentals:
    • Explain aircraft-specific engine-out instrument approach planning, configuration, speed, navigation, descent, and landing procedures, including the performance limits of any missed approach. (PA.X.D.K1)
    • Assess approach engine-failure hazards and observe prompt recognition and positive aircraft control before diagnosis. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.X.D.R1) (PA.X.D.S1)
    • Assess traffic and collision hazards during high-workload engine-out operations; maintain scanning and select a conflict-free flight path. (PA.X.D.R2)
    • Assess configuration and drag hazards; verify aircraft-specific gear, flap, propeller, and control sequencing rather than make an automatic or premature change. (PA.X.D.R3)
    • Assess low-altitude stall, spin, and CFIT hazards; preserve control and stall margin and choose a viable landing path when climb is unavailable. (PA.X.D.R4)
    • Assess distraction, disorientation, fixation, and lost-awareness hazards; preserve control and a useful aircraft-state, traffic, and terrain picture before lower-priority tasks. (PA.X.D.R5)
    • Assess engine-out go-around and rejected-landing capability before committing to an approach or landing configuration; plan a viable alternative without assuming published missed-approach climb performance is available. (PA.X.D.R6)
    • Observe aircraft-specific engine-control settings, drag reduction, identification and verification of the failed engine, and simulated feathering; coordinate evaluator zero thrust without inadvertently shutting down the operating engine. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.X.D.S2)
    • Explain and observe manufacturer-directed flight-control combinations and trim for best engine-out performance, including zero-sideslip guidance. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.X.D.S3)
    • Observe manufacturer-directed emergency and securing procedures and appropriate checklist completion. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.X.D.S4) (PA.X.D.S13)
    • Observe monitoring of the operating engine and aircraft systems with necessary adjustments within limitations. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.X.D.S5)
    • Observe request, readback, and compliance with an actual or simulated ATC instrument-approach clearance. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.X.D.S6)
    • Observe ACS altitude or applicable minimum-sink, heading, and airspeed tolerances, and final-segment lateral and applicable vertical guidance within the ACS deflection limit. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.X.D.S7) (PA.X.D.S9)
    • Observe a planned descent reaching MDA or DA/DH in a position for a normal straight-in or permitted circling descent and landing; comply with approach-category circling criteria and execute the landing. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.X.D.S8) (PA.X.D.S11) (PA.X.D.S12)
    • Observe positive control and compliance with aircraft operating limitations throughout the engine-out approach. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.X.D.S10)
  • Part 3, Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Procedures:
    • Brief task applicability, aircraft-specific simulation procedures, control transfer, and termination criteria before flight.
    • Demonstrate the simulated engine-out approach sequence, maintaining instrument control while managing navigation, configuration, and the operating engine.
    • Debrief the student's approach, landing decision, and response if expected performance is unavailable.
    • Review common errors, including fixation, poor planning, loss of situational awareness, and failure to act promptly.
  • Part 4, Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine Risk Management:
    • Evaluate the consequences of an engine failure during approach and landing, maintain positive control, and preserve a suitable landing option before troubleshooting. (PA.X.D.R1)
    • Maintain collision avoidance while dividing attention among instrument control, traffic, navigation, the runway environment, and emergency procedures. (PA.X.D.R2)
    • Plan configuration changes deliberately and verify actual gear, flap, and propeller position before relying on expected single-engine performance. (PA.X.D.R3)
    • Manage low-altitude stall, spin, and CFIT hazards by preserving controllability, airspeed margin, and a viable landing path. (PA.X.D.R4)
    • Prioritize aircraft control and flight path when distraction, task saturation, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation occurs. (PA.X.D.R5)
    • Evaluate engine-out go-around or rejected-landing capability before committing to the approach and landing configuration; do not assume published missed-approach climb performance is available. (PA.X.D.R6)
  • Part 5, Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine Guided Scenario(s):
    • Lead a guided scenarios.
    • Present a realistic en route situation requiring a Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (weather, fuel, mechanical, or passenger-related).
    • Require the student to select a Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) airport and justify the decision.
    • Have the student estimate heading, time en route, and fuel requirements.
    • Require the student to verbalize priorities and demonstrate workload management.
    • Challenge the student to identify and mitigate risks such as disorientation, fuel state, and deteriorating conditions.
  • Part 6, 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) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Using an applicable instrument approach and aircraft performance data, plan an approach with one engine inoperative, including configuration, terrain, and missed-approach limitations.
  • Present a simulated engine failure; have the student maintain instrument control, identify and verify the engine, apply manufacturer procedures, and request an appropriate clearance.
  • Evaluate guidance, operating-engine monitoring, landing position at minimums, and the available response to an unsafe approach. Do not assume single-engine climb capability.
  • Apply ACS (Airman Certification Standards) class and instrument-task applicability and simulation safeguards. Discussion does not confer instrument privileges or replace observed performance.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Airman Certification Standards

  • To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with executing a published instrument approach solely by reference to instruments with one engine inoperative
  • Note: See Appendix 6: Safety of Flight and Appendix 7: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3; FAA-P-8740-66; POH/AFM.
Knowledge 1 ACS Element
  • PA.X.D.K1:
    Instrument approach procedures with one engine inoperative.
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
Skills 13 ACS Elements
  • PA.X.D.S1:
    Promptly recognize an engine failure and maintain positive aircraft control.
  • PA.X.D.S2:
    Set the engine controls, reduce drag, identify and verify the inoperative engine, and simulate feathering of the propeller on the inoperative engine (evaluator should then establish zero thrust on the inoperative engine).
  • PA.X.D.S3:
    Use flight controls in the proper combination as recommended by the manufacturer, or as required to maintain best performance, and trim as required.
  • PA.X.D.S5:
    Monitor the operating engine and aircraft systems and make adjustments as necessary.
  • PA.X.D.S6:
    Request and follow an actual or a simulated air traffic control (ATC) clearance for an instrument approach.
  • PA.X.D.S7:
    Maintain altitude ±100 feet or minimum sink rate if applicable, airspeed ±10 knots, and selected heading ±10°.
  • PA.X.D.S8:
    Establish a rate of descent that ensures arrival at the minimum descent altitude (MDA) or decision altitude (DA)/decision height (DH) with the airplane in a position from which a descent to a landing on the intended runway or landing path can be made, either straight in or circling as appropriate.
  • PA.X.D.S9:
    On final approach segment, maintain vertical (as applicable) and lateral guidance within 3/4-scale deflection.
  • PA.X.D.S10:
    Avoid loss of airplane control or attempted flight contrary to the operating limitations of the airplane.
  • PA.X.D.S11:
    Comply with the published criteria for the aircraft approach category if circling.
  • PA.X.D.S12:
    Execute a landing.
  • PA.X.D.S13:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Private Pilot (Airplane) Instrument Approach & Landing With An Inoperative Engine (Simulated) Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Instrument Approach and Landing with An Inoperative Engine 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 Instrument Approach and Landing with An Inoperative Engine Simulated prepares private pilots to manage more complex failures while preserving the margins needed for a safe outcome.

  • Closure:

    • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson.