Emergency Approach and Landing (Simulated)
Private Pilot ACS · Area IX · Task B · POH/AFM, FAA-H-8083-3
Everything you need to know about Emergency Approach and Landing (Simulated) for your private pilot checkride. Aligned to FAA-S-ACS-6C Task IX-B, covering emergency approach and landing (simulated).
Engine Failure in Flight — Sequence §
1. Best glide speed immediately — pitch for Vg from memory (it's in the POH; know it). Every second at the wrong speed wastes altitude.
2. Select a landing area — best available field, road, or open area within glide distance. Consider wind direction, surface type, obstacles, and length.
3. Restart attempt per POH — fuel selector (both/fullest tank), mixture rich, fuel pump on, carb heat on, magnetos both, primer in/locked.
4. Communicate — squawk 7700, declare MAYDAY, give position and intentions.
5. Brief passengers — brace position, door unlatch, what to do after landing.
6. Land — minimum safe airspeed, land into wind if possible.
2. Select a landing area — best available field, road, or open area within glide distance. Consider wind direction, surface type, obstacles, and length.
3. Restart attempt per POH — fuel selector (both/fullest tank), mixture rich, fuel pump on, carb heat on, magnetos both, primer in/locked.
4. Communicate — squawk 7700, declare MAYDAY, give position and intentions.
5. Brief passengers — brace position, door unlatch, what to do after landing.
6. Land — minimum safe airspeed, land into wind if possible.
AFH Ch.17; ACS PA.IX.B
Glide Range & Field Selection §
Best glide speed (Vg): Maximizes glide ratio (nm of distance per ft of altitude). Varies with weight — lighter aircraft glide farther at a lower speed. Know the exact POH value.
Glide distance (rough estimate): Altitude (ft) ÷ glide ratio. A typical trainer with a 9:1 glide ratio at 3,000 ft AGL can glide ≈ 4.5 nm (9 × 3,000 ft ÷ 5,280 ft/nm).
Field priorities: Paved runway > firm grass > plowed field > soft/muddy surface. Into-wind landing is strongly preferred. Avoid wires — they are invisible from above and cut through cockpits.
Glide distance (rough estimate): Altitude (ft) ÷ glide ratio. A typical trainer with a 9:1 glide ratio at 3,000 ft AGL can glide ≈ 4.5 nm (9 × 3,000 ft ÷ 5,280 ft/nm).
Field priorities: Paved runway > firm grass > plowed field > soft/muddy surface. Into-wind landing is strongly preferred. Avoid wires — they are invisible from above and cut through cockpits.
PHAK Ch.17; AFH Ch.17