Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area IX, Task A
The Private Pilot (Airplane) Emergency Descent Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with emergency descent.
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 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.
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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
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:
- Emergency Descent Supplement.
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance Supplement.
- Flight Deck Management Supplement.
- Clearing Turns Supplement.
- Register for the WINGS Program.
- Basicmed.
- Medxpress System.
- AOPA's Online Learning Course - Transitioning to Other Airplanes.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Crew Resource Management Supplement.
- Test-taking Guidance.
- Test Guides.
- The Checkride Supplement.
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 Interactive Guided Scenario
Interactive Guided Scenario
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Scenario Complete
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.
Airman Certification Standards
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.
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
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PA.IX.A.K1: Situations that would require an emergency descent (e.g., depressurization, smoke, or engine fire). -
PA.IX.A.K2: -
PA.IX.A.K3: -
PA.IX.A.K3: Aircraft performance and limitations.
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
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PA.IX.A.R1: Altitude, wind, terrain, obstructions, gliding distance, and available landing distance considerations. -
PA.IX.A.R2: -
PA.IX.A.R3: Configuring the airplane. -
PA.IX.A.R4:
Skills 8 ACS Elements
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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.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Emergency Descent 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 Emergency Descent prepares private pilots to manage more complex failures while preserving the margins needed for a safe outcome.
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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 preparing for the practical test, visit the checkride page.