Here's the third in our video series about what you could do if your engine fails shortly after takeoff. In the last videos (found here and here) we first looked at what would happen if the pilot attempted to return to the airport, with disastrous results. Next we tried to land straight ahead in a field and while that worked a little better, it was clear that this doesn't have a great chance if you're departing in a place where there's any kind of ground clutter around.
In this next video, we'll have Mike perform the wisest of the 3 options: he'll use the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System after a quick attempt to get the engine back online:
This is scenario is one that offers pilots very little time to react. If Mike didn't know his engine failure checklist by heart, he'd have spent too long trying to do that and lost too much altitude for the parachute to be a viable option. If he hadn't been trained to use the chute quickly, he may also have missed the window.
Would Mike have survived? I think we have enough data from low altitude parachute deployments to say that he has a pretty good chance in this scenario. So long as he uses the CAPS option above 500 feet (his engine failed at 700 feet) and is in normal controlled flight (not falling rapidly), then he's probably going to walk away. The airplane is totaled, but that should be the last consideration in a situation like this. Machines and money are temporary and replaceable. You aren't.
My next video will be featuring a VFR departure briefing procedure, I'll post that next week
If you have seen our other videos, you'll remember that we're now offering a program that will allow pilots unlimited access to an instructor and our simulator for a really low price. You can find out more about the program by clicking here.
The short form is that for the price of 3,295 you get all the simulator training and instruction that you want for a year. This is equal to about two and a half days of training so if you could find an excuse to do even that much, you'd be ahead. Spouses are allowed to attend training and take part in a pinch-hitter style course at no cost. We're also working with Starr Aviation Underwriters to offer a 10% discount off your insurance premiums.
Give us a call at (866) 557-1501 or an email at info@theflightacademy.com if you'd like to talk about this program. Don't forget to view our options for people from out of town and some examples of the training you can receive found under the tab along the top titled Unlimited Simulator.
Safe flying!
John Fiscus
Chief Pilot, The Flight Academy
www.theflightacademy.com 
Posted
18 Dec 2009 13:00
by
John Fiscus