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PA.IX.E.K1FAA-S-ACS-6C · Nov 2023Knowledge

Factors affecting minimum control airspeed with an inoperative engine (VMC).

ACS element text (the applicant demonstrates understanding of)

Factors affecting minimum control airspeed with an inoperative engine (VMC).

Bottom line

Minimum control speed (VMC)—the minimum flight speed at which a light, twin-engine aircraft can be satisfactorily controlled when an engine suddenly becomes inoperative and the remaining engine is at takeoff power.

Key numbers

Key numbers for Factors affecting minimum control airspeed with an inoperative engine (VMC).
NumberWhat it means
more than 3 knots per degree of bank less than 5 degreesBank penalty
loss of control up to almost 20 knots above published VMCLevel wings
within 20 degrees of original headingHeading change
5 degrees into the operative engineMax bank

FAA references

  1. PHAK ch. 8 (p. 8-10) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  2. FAA-P-8740-66, Flying Light Twins Safely — FAA-P-8740-66
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