Airman Certification Standards
ACS AA.VII.F
Area VII, Task F
Knowledge
Flight characteristics and controllability associated with maneuvering to a landing with inoperative powerplant(s).
Missed approach considerations with a powerplant failure.
How to determine a suitable airport.
Risk Management
Planning for a powerplant failure inflight or during an approach.
Collision hazards.
Configuring the airplane.
Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Landing with a powerplant failure.
Missed approach with a powerplant failure. 55
Maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) with a powerplant failure.
Skill
Recognize and correctly identify powerplant(s) failure, complete memory items (if applicable), and maintain positive airplane control.
Coordinate with crew, if applicable, and complete the appropriate emergency procedures and checklist(s) for simulated propeller feathering or simulated powerplant shutdown.
Use flight controls and configure the aircraft as required to maintain best performance or as recommended by the manufacturer.
Maintain the operating powerplant(s) within acceptable operating limits.
Make radio calls as appropriate.
Proceed toward the nearest suitable airport.
Coordinate with crew, if applicable, and complete the approach and landing checklists.
Establish the appropriate airplane configuration and airspeed considering meteorological and operating conditions.
Prior to beginning the final approach segment, maintain the desired altitude ±100 feet, the desired airspeed ±10 knots, the desired heading ±5°, and accurately track courses, radials, and bearings.
Apply adjustments to the published decision altitude (DA)/decision height (DH) and visibility criteria for the aircraft approach category, as appropriate, for factors that include Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs), inoperative aircraft or navigation equipment, inoperative visual aids associated with the landing environment, etc.
Establish a predetermined rate of descent at the point where vertical guidance begins, which approximates that required for the aircraft to follow the vertical guidance.
Fly and maintain a stabilized approach, adjusting pitch and power as required, allowing no more than ¼-scale deflection of either the vertical or lateral guidance indications.
Maintain a stabilized final approach from the final approach fix (FAF) to the DA/DH allowing no more than ¼-scale deflection of either the vertical or lateral guidance indications and maintain the desired airspeed ±5 knots.
Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing or missed approach.
Upon reaching the DA/DH, immediately initiate the missed approach procedures if the required visual references for the runway are not distinctly visible and identifiable (or if in a seaplane); or transition to a normal landing approach only when the aircraft is in a position from which a descent to a landing on the runway can be made at a normal rate of descent using normal maneuvering.
Make smooth, timely, and correct control application before, during, and after touchdown or during the missed approach.
Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 17, 2026.