# AI.XII.F — Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES) — Flight Instructor Airplane ACS

> AI.XII.F from FAA-S-ACS-25, including the official objective, references, notes, and 23 exact knowledge, risk-management, and skill descriptions.

Canonical HTML: [https://www.check-ride.ai/acs/airplane/flight-instructor/ai-xii-f](https://www.check-ride.ai/acs/airplane/flight-instructor/ai-xii-f)

Site reference: [https://www.check-ride.ai/llms.txt](https://www.check-ride.ai/llms.txt)

## Official Task context

- FAA document: Flight Instructor for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards
- Identifier: FAA-S-ACS-25
- Published source date: November 2023
- Aircraft category: Airplane
- Certificate or rating: Flight Instructor
- Area of Operation: Area of Operation XII. Emergency Operations
- Task: Task F. Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES)
- Task code prefix: AI.XII.F
- Official references: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-25; FAA-P-8740-66; POH/AFM
- FAA source library: https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs

## Official Task objective

To determine the applicant understands engine failure after liftoff, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

## Knowledge elements

- **AI.XII.F.K1** — Factors affecting minimum controllable speed (VMC).
- **AI.XII.F.K2** — VMC (red line), VYSE (blue line), and safe single-engine speed (VSSE).
- **AI.XII.F.K3** — Accelerate/stop and accelerate/go distances.
- **AI.XII.F.K4** — How to identify, verify, feather, and secure an inoperative engine.
- **AI.XII.F.K5** — Importance of drag reduction, including propeller feathering, gear and flap retraction, the manufacturer’s recommended control input and its relation to zero sideslip.
- **AI.XII.F.K6** — Simulated propeller feathering and the evaluator’s zero-thrust procedures and responsibilities.
- **AI.XII.F.K7** — Common errors related to this Task.

## Risk management elements

- **AI.XII.F.R1** — Potential engine failure after lift-off.
- **AI.XII.F.R2** — Collision hazards.
- **AI.XII.F.R3** — Configuring the airplane.
- **AI.XII.F.R4** — Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
- **AI.XII.F.R5** — Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.

## Skills elements

- **AI.XII.F.S1** — Promptly recognize an engine failure, maintain control, and use appropriate emergency procedures.
- **AI.XII.F.S2** — Establish VYSE; if obstructions are present, establish best single-engine angle of climb speed (VXSE) or VMC +5 knots, whichever is greater, until obstructions are cleared. Then transition to VYSE.
- **AI.XII.F.S3** — Reduce drag by retracting landing gear and flaps in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance.
- **AI.XII.F.S4** — Simulate feathering the propeller on the inoperative engine (evaluator should then establish zero thrust on the inoperative engine).
- **AI.XII.F.S5** — Use flight controls in the proper combination as recommended by the manufacturer, or as required to maintain best performance, and trim as required.
- **AI.XII.F.S6** — Monitor the operating engine and aircraft systems and make adjustments as necessary.
- **AI.XII.F.S7** — Recognize the airplane’s performance capabilities. If a climb is not possible at VYSE, maintain VYSE and return to the departure airport for landing, or initiate an approach to the most suitable landing area available.
- **AI.XII.F.S8** — Simulate securing the inoperative engine.
- **AI.XII.F.S9** — Maintain heading ±10° and airspeed ±5 knots.
- **AI.XII.F.S10** — Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
- **AI.XII.F.S11** — Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.

## Difficulty methodology

Difficulty calibration is ongoing for this Task. Observed difficulty is a privacy-thresholded check-ride.ai mock-oral practice proxy, not an FAA practical-test pass or fail rate. Underlying sample sizes and the private reporting threshold are not published.

## Official Task notes

- See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.

## Use in practice

A mock examiner can ask a pilot to explain the published elements, apply them to the configured aircraft and airport context, identify risks, and defend a decision. Practice prompts are not represented as actual FAA examiner scripts or predictions of the questions a candidate will receive.