Emergency Procedures
Emergency-procedure practice develops disciplined priorities, aircraft control, decision making, and familiarity with time-critical situations before they occur unexpectedly.
Emergency situations differ substantially by aircraft, altitude, terrain, weather, phase of flight, and the nature of the problem. General principles can support understanding, but they do not replace an aircraft-specific checklist or approved procedure.
Training should emphasize maintaining aircraft control while using the time and options actually available rather than allowing troubleshooting or communication to displace more immediate priorities.
Emergency Procedures skills
- Forced Landing — Aircraft control, glide planning, landing-area selection, and preparation when continued powered flight is unavailable.
- Emergency Descent — Losing altitude rapidly while maintaining control and respecting aircraft limitations.
- Engine Failure After Takeoff — Time-critical priorities and landing decisions following significant power loss after departure.
What pilots practice
Depending on the aircraft, training objective, conditions, applicable standards, and instructor guidance, this area may involve:
- maintaining aircraft control
- aircraft-specific emergency procedures
- airspeed and energy management
- landing-area and terrain evaluation
- time-critical decision making
- prioritizing essential actions over secondary tasks
Practice and proficiency
Individual flying skills can become less familiar when they are not practiced regularly. The appropriate practice interval is personal and depends on experience, aircraft, operating environment, training, and the type of flying a pilot does.
Last Practiced lets pilots record when they practiced individual skills and set personal Practice Targets for skills they want to revisit.
Practice Targets are personal reminders. They do not establish regulatory currency, proficiency, or legal eligibility to fly.
Browse all pilot skills
Return to the Pilot Skills library to browse takeoffs and landings, airwork, stalls, emergency procedures, navigation, instrument flying, and glider skills.