Private Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering With One Engine Inoperative Lesson Plan

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

The Private Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with maneuvering with one engine inoperative.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering With One Engine Inoperative Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative:
    1:15
    Part 3, Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative Risk Management:
    0:20
    Part 4, Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative 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:
      • Review a multiengine loss-of-control accident in which delayed recognition, improper identification, or airspeed decay after an engine failure contributed to the outcome.
    • 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:

    • After an engine failure, disciplined control inputs and prompt, aircraft-specific procedures preserve the limited performance available from the operating engine.
    • Understanding the difference between controllability and performance helps the pilot avoid demanding more from the airplane than it can provide.

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Private Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering With One Engine Inoperative Lesson Plan

Materials

Private Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering With One Engine Inoperative Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative:
    • For shutdown or feathering demonstrations, plan completion at or above 3,000 feet AGL (Above Ground Level) or the higher manufacturer altitude, with an established airport safely reachable if restart fails; use simulation below those limits.
    • Explain factors affecting VMC and distinguish red-line controllability, blue-line VYSE performance, and the applicable VSSE simulation speed; published markings do not guarantee actual climb capability. (PA.X.A.K1, PA.X.A.K2)
    • Explain and observe aircraft-specific identification, verification, feathering, securing, unfeathering, and restart procedures, including operating-engine monitoring. Use actual shutdown or feathering only with approved aircraft procedures, safe-landing options, and applicable ACS altitude safeguards; otherwise simulate. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.X.A.K3, PA.X.A.K5, PA.X.A.S2, PA.X.A.S5, PA.X.A.S6)
    • Explain and observe manufacturer-directed flight-control combinations and trim for best engine-out performance, including zero-sideslip guidance. Include propeller, gear, and flap drag management. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.X.A.K4, PA.X.A.S3)
    • Assess inflight engine-failure hazards and observe prompt recognition, positive control, and manufacturer memory items followed by emergency procedures. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.X.A.S1)
    • Observe systematic diagnosis and permitted corrective action for the failure without sacrificing control or delaying a necessary landing. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.X.A.S4)
    • Observe selected altitude or minimum sink when altitude cannot be held, airspeed, and heading within ACS tolerances. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.X.A.S7)
    • Observe manufacturer-directed emergency and securing procedures and appropriate checklist completion. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.X.A.S8)
  • Part 3, Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative Risk Management:
    • Assess the consequences of an engine failure during flight, including the airplane's controllability, performance capability, terrain clearance, and available landing options. (PA.X.A.R1)
    • Assess traffic and collision hazards during high-workload engine-out operations; maintain scanning and select a conflict-free flight path. (PA.X.A.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.A.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.A.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.A.R5)
  • Part 4, Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative Guided Scenario(s):
    • Lead the one-engine-inoperative maneuvering discussion.
    • At a safe training altitude, simulate an engine failure and require the learner to maintain control, identify and verify the inoperative engine, configure for minimum drag, establish the appropriate engine-out airspeed, complete the aircraft checklist, evaluate performance, and select a safe landing plan.
    • Present a realistic en route situation requiring a Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative (weather, fuel, mechanical, or passenger-related).
    • Require the student to select a Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative 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 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) Maneuvering With One Engine Inoperative Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Present an engine failure at a safe training altitude. Have the student prioritize control, identify and verify the failed engine, and explain aircraft-specific drag reduction and checklist use.
  • Use actual performance data to assess altitude capability and a suitable landing option; compare VMC controllability with VYSE performance.
  • Introduce a distracting task while maneuvering; assess lookout, operating-engine monitoring, and heading, airspeed, or altitude deviations.
  • Brief simulation, feathering, and restart limitations before flight. Discussion does not replace observed maneuvering proficiency.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering With One Engine Inoperative Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering With One Engine Inoperative Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering With One Engine Inoperative Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with maneuvering with one engine inoperative.
  • 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 5 ACS Elements
  • PA.X.A.K1:
    Factors affecting minimum controllable speed (VMC).
  • PA.X.A.K2:
    VMC (red line) and best single-engine rate of climb airspeed (VYSE) (blue line).
  • PA.X.A.K3:
    How to identify, verify, feather, and secure an inoperative engine.
  • PA.X.A.K4:
    Importance of drag reduction, including propeller feathering, gear and flap retraction, the manufacturer's recommended control input and its relation to zero sideslip.
  • PA.X.A.K5:
    Feathering, securing, unfeathering, and restarting.
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
Skills 8 ACS Elements
  • PA.X.A.S1:
    Recognize an engine failure, maintain control, use manufacturer's memory item procedures, and use appropriate emergency procedures.
  • PA.X.A.S2:
    Set the engine controls, identify and verify the inoperative engine, and feather the appropriate propeller.
  • PA.X.A.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.A.S4:
    Attempt to determine and resolve the reason for the engine failure.
  • PA.X.A.S5:
    Secure the inoperative engine and monitor the operating engine and make necessary adjustments.
  • PA.X.A.S6:
    Restart the inoperative engine using manufacturer's restart procedures.
  • PA.X.A.S7:
    Maintain altitude ±100 feet or a minimum sink rate if applicable, airspeed ±10 knots, and selected headings ±10°.
  • PA.X.A.S8:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Private Pilot (Airplane) Maneuvering With One Engine Inoperative Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative 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 Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative 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.