No matter where you are at in your aviation education, there is a chance that you may be forced to perform an emergency landing. Regardless of how many checks you perform, there is a risk that your engine will fail. However, with the right knowledge, you will be able to land your plane safely through an emergency landing.

Determining Where To Land

One of the challenges is determining where to land. Two of the most common places to perform an emergency landing are on a road and a field. Both present hazards that can be difficult to avoid. With a road landing, there is a risk of encountering oncoming traffic. Also, roads are narrow and it is important to be very precise with where your plane lands. Also, your airplane runs the risk of coming in contact with power lines and signs.

The challenge of landing in a field is that the surface conditions of a field can vary greatly. A large number of planes that land in fields nose over. It can be much easier to land on a road even if there are then ground obstructions that must be dealt with.

Maintaining Glide Speed

The first thing that you must to is maintain the airplane's best glide speed. This is found in the operating handbook of the airplane. Determining the best glide speed will allow you to provide yourself with the most time possible so that you can set up the perfect landing.

Performing The Landing

In some cases, you will not be able to find a road or field to land on. Regardless, you will want to choose a location that will move you as far away from buildings and people as possible in order to reduce the risk that the landing ends in a disaster. For example, while not ideal, it may be necessary to land in a large ditch.

Completing The Checklists

Performing your emergency check list should only occur last, right before performing the actual landing. Then, you will want to perform the power-off checklist. All of this will increase the chances that the landing will be successful.

One of the first things that pilots are taught at aviation school is how to perform an emergency landing. Therefore, if you are concerned about the prospect of performing an emergency landing, you should be comforted to know that you will be well-prepared in the event that you must perform one.