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PA.X.D — Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES)

PA.X.D for the Private Pilot Airplane ACS: official objective, references, and 20 exact knowledge, risk-management, and skill descriptions.

FAA-S-ACS-6C, November 2023. This study page does not replace the current FAA publication or an examiner's plan of action.

Official task context

PA.X.D official ACS context
Certificate or ratingPrivate Pilot
Aircraft categoryAirplane
Area of operationArea of Operation X. Multiengine Operations
TaskTask D. Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES)
Task code prefixPA.X.D
Official referencesFAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-25; FAA-P-8740-66; POH/AFM
FAA documentFAA-S-ACS-6C — Private Pilot for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards
FAA source libraryOpen the official ACS library

Official task objective

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with executing a published instrument approach solely by reference to instruments with one engine inoperative.

What the ACS code means

  • PA identifies the ACS standard family used for this Private Pilot Airplane document.
  • X identifies Multiengine Operations, the Area of Operation.
  • D identifies Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES), the Task within that Area.
  • K, R, and S identify knowledge, risk-management, and skill elements. The number selects the item; a trailing lowercase letter identifies a listed sub-element.

Knowledge elements

Official ACS knowledge items and mock-oral treatment
ACS codeOfficial descriptionHow a mock oral can probe it
PA.X.D.K1Instrument approach procedures with one engine inoperative.Explain the element, apply it to a scenario, and connect the answer to current references or aircraft information when relevant.

Risk management elements

Official ACS risk management items and mock-oral treatment
ACS codeOfficial descriptionHow a mock oral can probe it
PA.X.D.R1Potential engine failure during approach and landing.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
PA.X.D.R2Collision hazards.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
PA.X.D.R3Configuring the airplane.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
PA.X.D.R4Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
PA.X.D.R5Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
PA.X.D.R6Performing a go-around/rejected landing with an engine failure.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.

Skills elements

Official ACS skills items and mock-oral treatment
ACS codeOfficial descriptionHow a mock oral can probe it
PA.X.D.S1Promptly recognize an engine failure and maintain positive aircraft control.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.D.S2Set the engine controls, reduce drag, identify and verify the inoperative engine, and simulate feathering of the propeller on the inoperative engine (evaluator should then establish zero thrust on the inoperative engine).Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.D.S3Use flight controls in the proper combination as recommended by the manufacturer, or as required to maintain best performance, and trim as required.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.D.S4Follow the manufacturer’s recommended emergency procedures and complete the appropriate checklist.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.D.S5Monitor the operating engine and aircraft systems and make adjustments as necessary.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.D.S6Request and follow an actual or a simulated air traffic control (ATC) clearance for an instrument approach.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.D.S7Maintain altitude ±100 feet or minimum sink rate if applicable, airspeed ±10 knots, and selected heading ±10°.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.D.S8Establish a rate of descent that ensures arrival at the minimum descent altitude (MDA) or decision altitude (DA)/decision height (DH) with the airplane in a position from which a descent to a landing on the intended runway or landing path can be made, either straight in or circling as appropriate.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.D.S9On final approach segment, maintain vertical (as applicable) and lateral guidance within ¾-scale deflection.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.D.S10Avoid loss of airplane control or attempted flight contrary to the operating limitations of the airplane.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.D.S11Comply with the published criteria for the aircraft approach category if circling.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.D.S12Execute a landing.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.D.S13Complete the appropriate checklist(s).Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.

Difficulty data

Difficulty calibration is ongoing for this Task. A difficulty estimate is published only with a sufficiently large, privacy-preserving first directly recorded assessment sample. Any observed difficulty comes from Checkride AI mock-oral practice assessments and is a practice-data proxy, not an FAA practical-test pass or fail rate.

Difficulty calibration remains ongoing until an item clears the private reporting threshold. Percentages, when available, describe the share who needed review on their first directly recorded assessment. Underlying sample sizes are never published, and historical final states are not backfilled into this measure.

Official task notes

  • See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
  • For non-amphibious seaplanes, this task applies only when the applicant has immediate access to an instrument approach to a waterway.

How to use this in a mock oral

A mock examiner can ask you to explain the published elements, apply them to the configured aircraft and airport scenario, identify risks, and defend a decision. The prompts are practice scenarios; they are not claimed to be actual FAA examiner scripts or a prediction of the questions you will receive.

Practice in a mock oral

Related ACS tasks