Prepare for: Single-Engine Approach and Landing
Flying an approach and landing with one engine inoperative.
Your CFI's syllabus and your airplane's POH come first. This page is a general study aid to help you show up prepared.
What you'll do
- Fly a normal pattern at blue line or POH speed, slightly higher than normal.
- Delay gear and flaps until landing is assured.
- Avoid a go-around below the decision point; plan to land.
The standard you'll be held to
Quoted from the current FAA Airman Certification Standards for each level that tests this.
Private Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-6C)Task PA.IX.G · Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated)(AMEL, AMES)
- 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 +10/-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).
Read it in the FAA handbooks
The official chapters behind this page. Each link opens the exact chapter, free on faa.gov. See the full Study Library.
Prepare the night before
- Know your POH single-engine approach procedure.
Common mistakes
- Configuring too early and getting low.
- Attempting a late single-engine go-around.
Questions to ask your instructor
- When do you want gear down on a single-engine approach?
Check yourself
Something wrong or out of date? Report an error