Engine-Failure Risks

It fascinates me that many GA pilots of single-engine airplanes cruise at such low altitudes. Theyre apparently oblivious to the fact that they are flying behind a single engine and if it fails you are on short final to somewhere! Extra altitude not only increases your radius of action, it also adds extra time for trouble shooting (which might eliminate the initial problem altogether) and increases the probability that a Mayday call might be heard. The side benefits include greater aircraft efficiency, cooler temperatures in the summer and possibly a smoother ride, in addition to less-congested airspace. Those long, low, flat, power-on final approaches can put you in the trees if your engine even coughs on short final. Keep a little energy in the bank and make it SOP to shoot for a reasonable aiming point on the runway.

Editorial Staff

Sunday, January 27, 2019 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Pilots of single-engine aircraft should fly at higher altitudes to provide more time and options for troubleshooting or emergency landings in case of engine failure, and generally avoid night flying due to significantly reduced survival chances.
Effective risk mitigation includes wearing personal flotation devices over water (with auto-inflate disabled) and being prepared for potential emergencies by having adequate survival equipment.
When encountering icing, pilots should employ practical strategies such as carefully monitoring accumulation rates, seeking warmer altitudes or clear air, and being prepared to descend quickly if conditions worsen.

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Kudos to Robert Wright for his terrific article (“The Real Risks Of Engine Failures,” November 2018) on engine failure risk management! I guess it struck a resonant chord with me because it embodies all the risk-mitigating factors that I have tried to follow after getting back into general aviation 20 years ago, following 36-plus years of airline flying.

It fascinates me that many GA pilots of single-engine airplanes cruise at such low altitudes. They’re apparently oblivious to the fact that they are flying behind a single engine and if it fails you are on short final to somewhere! Extra altitude not only increases your “radius of action,” it also adds extra time for trouble shooting (which might eliminate the initial problem altogether) and increases the probability that a Mayday call might be heard. The side benefits include greater aircraft efficiency, cooler temperatures in the summer and possibly a smoother ride, in addition to less-congested airspace. Those long, low, flat, power-on final approaches can put you in the trees if your engine even coughs on short final. Keep a little energy in the bank and make it SOP to shoot for a reasonable aiming point on the runway.