Lesson Plan
Landings: Power-Off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing
Purpose
The purpose of the Power-Off Accuracy Approach is to develop the pilot's judgment and skill for when it may be necessary to fly and land the airplane safely if there is a loss of power.
Elements
Downwind keuy position: The point at which the throttle is closed, abreast of or opposite the desired landing spot, is the downwind key position.
Close throttle, pitch for Vg: At the downwind key position, the throttle is closed and altitude maintained while decelerating to the manufacturer's recommended glide speed or 1.4 VSO.
Turn to base leg: The turn from the downwind leg to the base leg is a uniform turn with a medium or slightly steeper bank. The degree of bank and amount of this initial turn depend upon the glide angle of the airplane and the velocity of the wind.
Base leg: Again, the base leg is positioned as needed for the altitude or wind condition. Position the base leg to conserve or dissipate altitude so as to reach the desired landing spot.
The turn onto the base leg is made at an altitude high enough and close enough to permit the airplane to glide to what would normally be the base key position in a 90° power-off approach.
Flexibile key position: Although the key position is important, it must not be overemphasized nor considered as a fixed point on the ground. Many inexperienced pilots may gain a conception of it as a particular landmark, such as a tree, crossroad, or other visual reference, to be reached at a certain altitude. This misconception leaves the pilot at a total loss any time such objects are not present. Both altitude and geographical location should be varied as much as is practical to eliminate any such misconceptions.
Common Errors
- Downwind leg is too far from the runway/landing area
- Overextension of downwind leg resulting from a tailwind
- Inadequate compensation for wind drift on base leg
- Skidding turns in an effort to increase gliding distance
- Failure to lower landing gear in retractable gear airplanes
- Attempting to "stretch" the glide during an undershoot
- Premature flap extension/landing gear extension
- Use of throttle to increase the glide instead of merely clearing the engine
- Forcing the airplane onto the runway in order to avoid overshooting the designated landing spot
Completion Standards
Commercial Pilot & CFI Airmen Certification Standards (ACS)
- Complete the appropriate checklist.
- Make radio calls as appropriate.
- Plan and follow a flightpath to the selected landing area considering altitude, wind, terrain, and obstructions.
- Position airplane on downwind leg, parallel to landing runway.
- Correctly configure the airplane.
- As necessary, correlate crosswind with direction of forward slip and transition to side slip for landing.
- Touch down within -0/+200 feet from the specified touchdown point with no side drift, minimum float, and with the airplaneÕs longitudinal axis aligned with and over the runway centerline.
Lesson Plan Checklist
Power-Off Accuracy Approach
Also known as the "power-off 180," this is only required on the Commercial Pilot flight test, but all pilots will benefit from training to make an accurate landing without the engine.
Common errors