Safety

Although some of the skills required to perform these manoeuvres are similar to those demonstrated during forced landings, power-off approaches are not emergency procedures. Procedures required by aircraft manufacturers to safely land an aeroplane without power in an emergency are not obligatory for this flight test item.

The main objective of an accuracy approach is to complete a safe landing. Forcing an aircraft that is approaching too high or too fast onto a desired landing area will always sacrifice some degree of safety. Pilots should decide early whether a safe touchdown could be achieved. When demonstrating the 180º accuracy approach and landing on a commercial pilot flight test, the decision to overshoot must be favoured over the risks of an unsafe landing.

It is very important to pay attention to engine operating temperatures when carrying out manoeuvres with decreased power settings. Prolonged operation without engine power, especially in colder temperatures, may require the periodic application of power to warm the engine. One application of power should be sufficient to maintain safe engine operating temperatures, during the practice of a power-off 180° accuracy approach.

To protect the engine in very cold conditions, it can be acceptable to use a low power setting and partial flap (in order to compensate for the added thrust) and simulate power-off gliding performance. As this may change the glide attitude and limit the range of flap left available for corrections, this technique should only be used to protect the engine.

Carburettor heat must be used as specified by the manufacturer during prolonged approaches so that additional power would be available when required to correct an undershoot or initiate an overshoot.

Pilots should ensure that other traffic is not inconvenienced by the manoeuvres required to conduct this type of approach and that air traffic service, where it is provided, is kept informed of the pilot's intentions.