Commercial Pilot for Airplane CategoryFAA-S-ACS-7B
Area of Operation IX
Emergency Operations
7 Tasks
Task A Emergency Descent
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with emergency descent.
Note
See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight.
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.
Skills
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.
Task B Emergency Approach and Landing (Simulated) (ASEL, ASES)
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with emergency approach and landing procedures.
Note
See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight.
Knowledge
Immediate action items and emergency procedures.
Airspeed, including:
a. Importance of best glide speed and its relationship to distance
b. Difference between best glide speed and minimum sink speed
c. Effects of wind on glide distance
Effects of atmospheric conditions on emergency approach and landing.
A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) and other emergency locating devices.
Air traffic control (ATC) services to aircraft in distress.
Risk Management
Altitude, wind, terrain, obstructions, gliding distance, and available landing distance considerations.
Following or changing the planned flightpath to the selected landing area.
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.
Skills
Establish and maintain the recommended best glide airspeed, ±10 knots.
Configure the airplane in accordance with the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)\Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) and existing conditions.
Select a suitable landing area considering altitude, wind, terrain, obstructions, and available glide distance.
Plan and follow a flightpath to the selected landing area considering altitude, wind, terrain, and obstructions.
Prepare for landing as specified by the evaluator.
Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Task C Systems and Equipment Malfunctions
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with system and equipment malfunctions appropriate to the airplane provided for the practical test.
Knowledge
Causes of partial or complete power loss related to the specific type of powerplant(s).
a. [Archived]
b. [Archived]
c. [Archived]
d. [Archived]
System and equipment malfunctions specific to the aircraft, including:
a. Electrical malfunction
b. Vacuum/pressure and associated flight instrument malfunctions
c. Pitot-static system malfunction
d. Electronic flight deck display malfunction
e. Landing gear or flap malfunction
f. Inoperative trim
Causes and remedies for smoke or fire onboard the aircraft.
Any other system specific to the aircraft (e.g., supplemental oxygen, deicing).
Inadvertent door or window opening.
Risk Management
Checklist usage for a system or equipment malfunction.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Undesired aircraft state.
Startle response.
Skills
Determine appropriate action for simulated emergencies specified by the evaluator, from at least three of the elements or sub-elements listed in K1 through K5.
Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Task D Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with emergency equipment, and survival gear appropriate to the airplane and environment encountered during flight.
Note
See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
Knowledge
Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) operations, limitations, and testing requirements.
Fire extinguisher operations and limitations.
Emergency equipment and survival gear needed for:
a. Climate extremes (hot/cold)
b. Mountainous terrain
c. Overwater operations
When to deploy a ballistic parachute and associated passenger briefings, if equipped.
When to activate an emergency auto-land system and brief passengers, if equipped.
Risk Management
Survival gear (water, clothing, shelter) for 48 to 72 hours.
Use of a ballistic parachute system.
Use of an emergency auto-land system, if installed.
Skills
Identify appropriate equipment and personal gear.
Brief passengers on proper use of on-board emergency equipment and survival gear.
Simulate ballistic parachute deployment procedures, if equipped.
Task E Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES)
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-25; FAA-P-8740-66; POH/AFM
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with engine failure during takeoff before minimum controllable airspeed (VMC).
Note
See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
Knowledge
Factors affecting minimum controllable speed (VMC).
VMC (red line) and best single-engine rate of climb airspeed (VYSE) (blue line).
Accelerate/stop distance.
Risk Management
Potential engine failure during takeoff.
Configuring the airplane.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills
Close the throttles smoothly and promptly when a simulated engine failure occurs.
Maintain directional control and apply brakes (AMEL), or flight controls (AMES), as necessary.
Task F Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES)
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-25; FAA-P-8740-66; POH/AFM
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with engine failure after liftoff.
Note
See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
Knowledge
Factors affecting minimum controllable speed (VMC).
VMC (red line), VYSE (blue line), and safe single-engine speed (VSSE).
Accelerate/stop and accelerate/go distances.
How to identify, verify, feather, and secure an inoperative engine.
Importance of drag reduction, including propeller feathering, gear and flap retraction, the manufacturer’s recommended control input and its relation to zero sideslip.
Simulated propeller feathering and the evaluator’s zero-thrust procedures and responsibilities.
Risk Management
Potential engine failure after lift-off.
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.
Skills
Promptly recognize an engine failure, maintain control, and use appropriate emergency procedures.
Establish VYSE; if obstructions are present, establish best single-engine angle of climb speed (VXSE) or VMC +5 knots, whichever is greater, until obstructions are cleared. Then transition to VYSE.
Reduce drag by retracting landing gear and flaps in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance.
Simulate feathering the propeller on the inoperative engine (evaluator should then establish zero thrust on the inoperative engine).
Use flight controls in the proper combination as recommended by the manufacturer, or as required to maintain best performance, and trim as required.
Monitor the operating engine and aircraft systems and make adjustments as necessary.
Recognize the airplane’s performance capabilities. If a climb is not possible at VYSE, maintain VYSE and return to the departure airport for landing, or initiate an approach to the most suitable landing area available.
Simulate securing the inoperative engine.
Maintain heading ±10° and airspeed ±5 knots.
Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Task G Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated)(AMEL, AMES)
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-25; FAA-P-8740-66; POH/AFM
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with approach and landing with an engine inoperative, including engine failure on final approach.
Note
See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
Knowledge
Factors affecting minimum controllable speed (VMC).
VMC (red line) and best single-engine rate of climb airspeed (VYSE) (blue line).
How to identify, verify, feather, and secure an inoperative engine.
Importance of drag reduction, including propeller feathering, gear and flap retraction, the manufacturer’s recommended control input and its relation to zero sideslip.
Applicant responsibilities during simulated feathering.
Risk Management
Potential engine 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.
Possible single-engine go-around.
Skills
Promptly recognize an engine failure and maintain positive aircraft control.
Set the engine controls, reduce drag, identify and verify the inoperative engine, and simulate feathering of the propeller on the inoperative engine (evaluator should then establish zero thrust on the inoperative engine).
Use flight controls in the proper combination as recommended by the manufacturer, or as required to maintain best performance, and trim as required.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended emergency procedures and complete the appropriate checklist.
Monitor the operating engine and aircraft systems and make adjustments as necessary.
Maintain the manufacturer's recommended approach airspeed ±5 knots in the landing configuration with a stabilized approach, until landing is assured.
Make smooth, timely, and correct control application before, during, and after touchdown.
Touch down on the first one-third of available runway/landing surface, with no drift, and the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with and over the runway center or landing path.
Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing.
Complete the appropriate checklist(s).