Why pilots are always drilled on the ABC's

Find or share aviation knowledge
new reply
User avatar
Oracle427
Chief Master Sergeant
Posts: 3916
Joined: 02 Sep 2013, 19:30
Location: 3N6
Contact:

Why pilots are always drilled on the ABC's

Post by Oracle427 »

This didn't happen to me, but it happened to a friend in a plane we fly regularly.

They were flying along low and early in their cruise climb at 2500AGL when all of the sudden they lost 200 RPM and the engine started running rough.

In order of priority:
A-Airfield
B-Best glide
C-Checklist
D-Declare

In this case, they didn't need B because the engine was still running and producing power, but they needed to recall that data just in case the engine decided to quit altogether. They were still very near the airport so they turned around and landed uneventfully.

It turned out that one of the spark plugs failed with the insulator splitting in half at the base of the electrode.

http://www.dropbox.com/s/pemi7xwk7mtg43 ... 1.jpg?dl=0

It was scary for them for a few moments!
Flight Simmer since 1983. PP ASEL IR Tailwheel
N28021 1979 Super Viking 17-30A

William Hughes
Senior Airman
Posts: 222
Joined: 13 Dec 2014, 11:38
Location: Saskatoon, SK
Contact:

Re: Why pilots are always drilled on the ABC's

Post by William Hughes »

Good for them - can be an unsettling thing and it is always nice to come out the other end of one of these with a good story!

User avatar
MaxZ
Senior Airman
Posts: 174
Joined: 27 Sep 2013, 09:08
Location: LOWL

Re: Why pilots are always drilled on the ABC's

Post by MaxZ »

Hi Oracle427!

We are drilled to follow those steps, guess it is quite the same:
P Power
P Performance
A Analysis
A Action

For example:
(Left engine failure)
  • Is the power sufficient to maintain flight?
    Where are Gear and Flaps, do I have to get them up if they're down?
    Is it really the left engine? What could be the problem? Fuel, Ignition, Oil?
    Shutdown for left engine, power idle, feather propeller.
    Review, did my situation get any better?
Both yours and my procedure follow the good old FORDEC :)

Safe landings,
Maximilian
Public service announcement: You put an aircraft in a hangar, not a hanger.

new reply

Return to “Flight Academy”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests