Pilots must practice the way they intend to flyâespecially when it comes to emergency procedures. Rote memorization isnât enough. True preparation comes from realism, habit patterns, and scenarios that simulate actual flight conditions.
Why Primacy Matters
Pilots often default to their earliest, most ingrained training in a real emergency. This is known as the law of primacy. A compelling example comes from law enforcement, where officers trained a disarmament maneuver so oftenâwith one flawâthat a real-world encounter resulted in an officer mistakenly handing a weapon back to a criminal. This cautionary tale underscores the importance of practicing exactly how we want to perform.
Relating to Emergency Procedures
When pilots simulate engine failures, they often follow textbook steps: best glide speed, choose a landing site, run the checklist, make a mayday call, and so on. But in many training areas, the simulation ends at 500 feet AGLâper FAA guidanceâto avoid unnecessary risk. While these rehearsals are important, they donât truly prepare a pilot to land in an actual emergency.
The 3,500-Foot Glide Reality
Descending from 3,500 feet to 500 feet is not the hard part. The real skill lies in executing a precise glide to the groundâon speed, on profile, and on point. That final 500 feet requires judgment, control, and accuracy. Without practicing this phase all the way to touchdown, a pilot may be overconfident or unprepared in a real-life engine-out scenario.
Making It Real
Pilots should occasionally simulate a full engine-out approach from altitude to an actual landing. This can be done safely at a quiet, uncontrolled airport, with proper planning and traffic awareness. The goal is to determine whether the selected landing point can actually be madeânot just to say it would have been possible.
Redefining Your Training Â
Include power-off landings from cruise altitude in your personal training goals. Seek opportunities to glide to a safe, legal touchdownânot just to 500 feet. Be ready to go around if itâs not working. Aim to land within the first third of the runway. The real world wonât be as forgiving as a simulated drill.
Effective emergency preparedness means developing habits that translate into success under pressure. By practicing from altitude to actual touchdown, pilots develop the judgment and confidence to make precise landingsâwhether at a remote airport or, if necessary, in an off-airport emergency.
Donât Miss the Private Pilot Blueprint
Just getting started your flight training journey or havenât taken the leap just yet? Donât miss The Private Pilot Blueprint – your definitive roadmap to saving both time and money on your private pilot certificate. This essential guide is packed with tips, strategies, and step-by-step advice to help you. BecauseâŠa good pilot is always learning!