Private Pilot (Airplane) Vmc Demonstration Lesson Plan

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

The Private Pilot (Airplane) Vmc Demonstration Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with Vmc demonstration.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Vmc Demonstration Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Vmc Concept:
    1:15
    Part 3, Factors Affecting Vmc:
    1:15
    Part 4, Airspeeds and Limitations:
    1:15
    Part 5, Loss of Directional Control:
    1:15
    Part 6, Vmc Demonstration:
    1:15
    Part 7, Vmc Demonstration Risk Management:
    1:15
    Part 8, Vmc Demonstration Guided Scenario(s):
    0:20
    Part 9, 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:

Private Pilot (Airplane) Vmc Demonstration Lesson Plan

Materials

Private Pilot (Airplane) Vmc Demonstration Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Vmc Concept:
    • Introduce definition of VMC (loss of directional control with critical engine inoperative).
    • Compare VMC vs stall speed (VS).
    • Discuss why VMC is a control limit, not a performance limit (with examples).
    • Discuss the difference between a yaw and a stall.
  • Part 3, Factors Affecting Vmc:
    • Review how P-factor, weight, density altitude, configuration, bank angle impact VMC.
    • Discuss how each factor increases or decreases VMC (Illustrate with a table drawn on whiteboard/paper).
  • Part 4, Airspeeds and Limitations:
    • Discuss airspeed indications related to single-engine operations (VMC-red line, VYSE-blue line, VSSE-safe demo speed).
    • Introduce the relationship between speeds.
    • Introduce the reason to use each airspeed.
  • Part 5, Loss of Directional Control:
    • Introduce yaw mechanics and asymmetric thrust.
    • Discuss: Rudder limits, Onset of uncontrollable yaw.
    • Discuss loss of directional control recognition.
    • Discuss recovery from loss of directional control: thrust, AOA, rudder inputs.
    • Discuss errors during recovery such as adding thrust, increasing AOA, etc. and how that could exacerbate the problem, possibly causing a rollover.
  • Part 6, Vmc Demonstration:
    • Conduct a VMC demonstration.
  • Part 7, Vmc Demonstration Risk Management:
    • Discuss loss of control, improper configurations, fixaction, demonstration vs. real engine failure.
  • Part 8, Vmc Demonstration Guided Scenario(s):
    • .
  • Part 9, Lesson Conclusion:
    • 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) Vmc Demonstration Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Predict VMC changes under different conditions.
  • Identify worst-case scenario configuration.
  • An aircraft is on it's initial climb, departing from your local airport.
    • Describe configuration (gear, flaps, props, trim).
  • If the aircraft is below VMC:
    • How would the pilot know which engine failed?
    • What control inputs should the pilot input?
    • What would the pilot expect if the critical engine failed?
  • Related scenarios:
    • .
Private Pilot (Airplane) Vmc Demonstration Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Vmc Demonstration Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Vmc Demonstration Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with VMC demonstration.
  • 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 4 ACS Elements
  • PA.X.B.K1:
    Factors affecting VMC and how VMC differs from stall speed (VS).
  • PA.X.B.K2:
    VMC (red line), VYSE (blue line), and VSSE (safe single-engine speed).
  • PA.X.B.K3:
    Cause of loss of directional control at airspeeds below VMC.
  • PA.X.B.K4:
    Proper procedures for maneuver entry and safe recovery
Risk Management 3 ACS Elements
Skills 8 ACS Elements
  • PA.X.B.S1:
    Configure the airplane in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, in the absence of the manufacturer's recommendations, then at safe single-engine speed (VSSE/VYSE), as appropriate, and:
    • PA.X.B.S1a: Landing gear retracted.
    • PA.X.B.S1b: Flaps set for takeoff.
    • PA.X.B.S1c: Cowl flaps set for takeoff.
    • PA.X.B.S1d: Trim set for takeoff.
    • PA.X.B.S1e: Propellers set for high revolutions per minute (rpm).
    • PA.X.B.S1f: Power on critical engine reduced to idle and propeller windmilling.
    • PA.X.B.S1g: Power on operating engine set to takeoff or maximum available power.
  • PA.X.B.S2:
    Establish a single-engine climb attitude with the airspeed at approximately 10 knots above VSSE.
  • PA.X.B.S3:
    Establish a bank angle not to exceed 5° toward the operating engine, as required for best performance and controllability.
  • PA.X.B.S4:
    Increase the pitch attitude slowly to reduce the airspeed at approximately 1 knot per second while applying increased rudder pressure as needed to maintain directional control.
  • PA.X.B.S5:
    Recognize and recover at the first indication of loss of directional control, stall warning, or buffet.
  • PA.X.B.S6:
    Recover promptly by simultaneously reducing power sufficiently on the operating engine, decreasing the angle of attack as necessary to regain airspeed and directional control, and without adding power on the simulated failed engine.
  • PA.X.B.S7:
    Recover within 20° of entry heading.
  • PA.X.B.S8:
    Advance power smoothly on the operating engine and accelerate to VSSE/VYSE, as appropriate, +10/-5 knots during recovery.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Vmc Demonstration Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • VMC Demonstration develops the knowledge, disciplined habits, and operational judgment private pilots need for safe and predictable flight operations.
    • Connecting procedures with aircraft limitations, environmental conditions, and available alternatives helps pilots recognize hazards before safety margins are reduced.
    • Consistent checklist use, situational awareness, communication, and sound aeronautical decision-making turn lesson concepts into dependable performance.
    • Continued study and scenario-based practice with VMC Demonstration prepare private pilots for more complex tasks and increasingly demanding operations later in training.

  • Closure:

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