My first flight instructor’s words from decades ago are stuck with me: “Glide, grass, gas,” he said, and then repeated it. “Glide, grass, gas.” He was talking about engine failures, and these three little words are a nice mental checklist for what to do when the engine of a single-engine airplane stops. Glide: Fly at the airplane’s “best glide” speed. Grass: Pick a place to land. Gas: Try to get the engine restarted.
I’ve never had to use Tom’s advice, but I still use his words when I teach my students what to do if an engine fails. “Glide, grass, gas, Steve,” I say, and repeat, “Glide, grass, gas.” If you come to me for a flight review, we’ll review it on the ground and, of course, in the air.
