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Exercise 12b — Lesson 13

Glide Approach and Landing

Practice the glide (power-off) approach and landing — essential for engine failure scenarios and precision flying.

Private Pilot 11C
Traffic Pattern — No-Flap & Engine Failure
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Skill Items

Skill D P 1 2 3 4 5 6
Preflight Inspection
Engine Starting
Taxi & Before Takeoff Check
Radio Communications
Normal Takeoff & Departure
General Handling
Traffic Pattern Entry
Altitude Speed Config & Trim
Approach Planning & Altimeter Setting
Normal/ Crosswind Landing
No-Flap Landing
Simulated Engine Failure After Takeoff
Side Slip Technique
After Landing Parking and Securing

Radio Communication Scenarios

Practice VFR radio calls for this lesson. Listen to the scenario, then formulate your response before revealing the full exchange.

1 Special VFR in Reduced Visibility KMFD
AirportMansfield Lahm Municipal (KMFD)
Position15 miles south, inbound
FrequencyTower 118.9
TypeClass D, ATIS Kilo (visibility 2 mi)

You are in N106ST, 15 miles south of Mansfield Lahm Municipal Airport. ATIS reports only 2 miles visibility — below VFR minimums for Class D. You need to enter the airspace to land. You must request Special VFR; the controller cannot suggest it. Under SVFR you need 1 mile visibility and clear of clouds.

Your Turn

Request Special VFR. This is a critical decision scenario — if visibility drops below 1 mile or you can't remain clear of clouds, you cannot use SVFR and must divert.

  • You (Pilot)"Mansfield Tower, november-one-zero-six-sierra-tango, one-five south, request Special VFR into the Class Delta."
  • Mansfield Tower"november-one-zero-six-sierra-tango, Mansfield Tower, Special VFR approved. Maintain Special VFR conditions at or below two thousand five hundred. Report three miles south."
  • You (Pilot)"Special VFR approved, at or below two thousand five hundred, will report three south, six-sierra-tango."
  • You (Pilot)"Mansfield Tower, november-one-zero-six-sierra-tango, three miles south."
  • Mansfield Tower"november-one-zero-six-sierra-tango, runway one-four, cleared to land."
  • You (Pilot)"Cleared to land runway one-four, six-sierra-tango."
2 PIREP and Diversion KIRK
AirportDeparted Kirksville Regional (KIRK)
Position10 NE of Kirksville, 4,500 ft
FrequencyFlight Watch 122.0
TypeEn route (emergency weather)

You are in N106ST and have just departed Kirksville Regional in Missouri. You encounter unforecast light icing and decide to return to the airport. Before you turn back, report the icing conditions to Flight Watch on 122.0 so other pilots are aware.

Your Turn

Give a PIREP and state your diversion intentions. Include: location, altitude, aircraft type, conditions encountered, and that you're returning to departure airport. PIREPs help other pilots make safe decisions.

  • You (Pilot)"Flight Watch, november-one-zero-six-sierra-tango, PIREP."
  • Flight Watch"november-one-zero-six-sierra-tango, Flight Watch, go ahead."
  • You (Pilot)"november-one-zero-six-sierra-tango, PA-28, one-zero northeast of Kirksville, four thousand five hundred. Encountering light rime icing, unforecast. Returning to Kirksville."
  • Flight Watch"november-one-zero-six-sierra-tango, roger, PIREP received. Kirksville weather, ceiling three thousand broken, visibility five miles, temperature minus two. Recommend descend to three thousand for warmer air."
  • You (Pilot)"Descending to three thousand, six-sierra-tango. Thank you."

These lesson plans are provided as supplementary training guidance only. They do not supersede FAA publications, aircraft manufacturer documentation, or your instructor's direction. Always refer to the FAA Instrument Flying Handbook, Airplane Flying Handbook, AIM, and applicable POH/AFM as the official sources.