Definition
A landing approach flown with the engine at idle power, where the airplane glides from a chosen point in the traffic pattern down to the runway using only altitude and airspeed management to reach the touchdown point. It is used to practice judgment of glide distance, descent rate, and energy management without relying on engine thrust to extend or correct the approach.
Plain English
A landing where the pilot pulls the throttle back to idle and glides the airplane down to the runway, controlling the descent with pitch and flight path rather than power.
Context Anchor
Used during glide practice, simulated engine-failure training, and landing practice where the pilot must judge whether the airplane can reach the runway or another safe landing area without power.
Why Pilots Care
Develops the judgment and skills needed to reach a suitable landing area after an engine failure.
Grounding Statement
Picture the throttle pulled back and the airplane descending toward the runway as a glider, with the pilot adjusting the path by controlling speed and turning as needed.
Intuition Check
Power-off does not mean the airplane is turned off or powerless in every way. Here it means the engine is not being used to carry the airplane to the landing area.
Example Sentence 1
On downwind abeam the touchdown point, the instructor reduced the throttle to idle and said, 'Make this a power-off landing approach.'
Example Sentence 2
After the simulated engine failure, the pilot executed a power-off landing approach to the nearest suitable runway.