Pilot's tip of the week

Engine Failure: #1 Rule

Featuring Bob Martens

Subscriber question:

"Simple question: What's the most important thing for surviving total engine failure? A simple answer would be appreciated." — Peter A.

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Bob:

“You absolutely have to be sure that you don’t stall the airplane!

I’ve been to many aircraft accident scenes, I’ve evaluated hundreds and hundreds of accidents and pilots are NOT killed when they fly their airplane to the ground under control. They ARE killed when they stall an airplane into the ground.

So maintaining an airspeed safely above stall speed right on down to the ground is so very, very important.”

Have you ever had to make an off-airport landing?

(If so, what's the #1 thing that made it a success?)

(NEW) VFR Mastery scenario #97 “Keeping Your Cool at Hot Springs” is now available. Two years ago, you bought a 172M with a 180 HP conversion a bit past TBO. After 100 hours you decided to overhaul, and added an engine monitor. That revealed consistently high CHTs, often hitting 430°F in the climb. Today you’re at Hot Springs, SD, with the family. It’s 85°F with density altitude near 6000′. You know that if you lean for best power the engine will get super hot. Maybe that’s fine for a short time. Or maybe keeping things cool matters more, and a full rich takeoff is safer as long as performance is adequate. Or is there a middle ground? If you wait for cooler weather, it’ll be awhile. Watch the Intro video.

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