Here at PilotStack, a topic we often ponder centers upon the best mix of tools that pilots need to possess and master in order to operate at a high level of confidence, efficiency and safety in today’s complex airspace environment. More broadly, with respect to the content we produce, we wonder how to present these tools in ways that will prove beneficial to every pilot within our community, regardless of their background or skill level.
Our latest video covers engine failures and off-airport landings. Engines failures, albeit rare, can occur at any time and in any flight regimen. AOPA says that the three keys to effectively managing abnormal or emergency situations involve practice, planning and good judgement. We agree with AOPA, and add the following to ensure that chances are maximized for a favorable outcome: 1) possession of appropriate knowledge, 2) commitment of critical procedures to memory so that they can be recalled and performed without hesitation, and 3) training on a regular basis so that performance becomes ingrained and second-nature.
With the above in mind, we’ve produced our first video in a planned series of how to manage engine failures, and we chose to address a scenario that we feel is often overlooked: the enroute portion of flight. In this video you’ll note that we call out and demonstrate several “Stack Items.” These are critical skills, tips and techniques that you can add to your own Stack. To augment your knowledge, here are a few more resources that amplify on some of the topics we address in the video:
Cockpit Flows:
http://www.kingairmagazine.com/article/ask-expert-cockpit-flow-patterns/
Pick A Landing Area:
https://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/2016/media/SE_Topic_16-01.pdf
Best Glide & Distance:
https://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/2016/media/SE_Topic_16-01.pdf
AOPA Engine Out – Tips For Approaching The Unexpected:
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2017/may/flight-training-magazine/engine-out
We hope you’ll find this video useful; in future episodes we’ll cover engine failures in more detail, to include scenarios that occur shortly after rotation, within the first thousand feet of takeoff, and in the airport traffic pattern where a return to the runway may be an option. In closing, please note that you should consider our video demo as a starting point to learn more and never as a replacement or substitute for actual training. This topic, like all of those covered in other PilotStack Videos, should only be practiced with a Certified Flight Instructor.