Definition
A simulated approach to landing flown at low airspeed with reduced power, used during training to practice the configuration and handling required if engine power were lost or significantly reduced. The maneuver places the airplane in a nose-high, low-airspeed condition typical of the final stage of an emergency landing approach.
Plain English
A practice approach that mimics how the airplane would feel and fly during a real emergency landing, flown slow and with little power so the pilot learns to handle that situation safely.
Context Anchor
You will see this term in emergency landing training, power-off landing practice, and discussions of what can happen if power is added during a slow, trimmed approach.
Derivation
Forced' here means the landing was not chosen by the pilot — circumstances forced it, typically a power loss. 'Approach' is the segment of flight leading to landing. Together: practicing the approach you would fly if you had no choice but to land.
Why Pilots Care
Correct setup determines whether the aircraft arrives at the landing spot with enough altitude and airspeed to flare and touch down safely.
Grounding Statement
Picture the engine no longer helping you climb or cruise, so every turn and descent is aimed at arriving at one safe landing spot.
Intuition Check
“Forced” does not mean forcing the airplane onto the runway. Here it means the landing is required because the airplane cannot safely continue normal flight.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor set up a forced-landing approach to demonstrate how the airplane behaves when full power is applied from a slow, trimmed-up condition.
Example Sentence 2
During practice, the instructor called for a simulated engine failure and the student flew a forced-landing approach to the chosen spot.