Airman Certification Standards
ACS CA.IX.A
Emergency Descent
Knowledge
Situations that would require an emergency descent (e.g., depressurization, smoke, or engine fire).
Immediate action items and emergency procedures.
Airspeed, including airspeed limitations.
Aircraft performance and limitations.
Risk Management
Altitude, wind, terrain, obstructions, gliding distance, and available landing distance considerations.
Collision hazards.
Configuring the airplane.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skill
Clear the area.
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.
Maintain orientation, divide attention appropriately, and plan and execute a smooth recovery.
Use bank angle between 30° and 45° to maintain positive load factors during the descent.
Maintain appropriate airspeed +0/-10 knots, and level off at a specified altitude ±100 feet.
Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 17, 2026.