Plain English Meaning

Things going wrong with the airplane itself in flight -- the engine, the instruments, the gear, the electrics, and so on -- and how a pilot recognizes and handles each one.

Full Definition

A category of in-flight abnormalities in which an airplane system or piece of equipment fails to operate as designed, requiring the pilot to recognize the problem, apply the correct procedure, and continue the flight safely. Examples include partial or total power loss, landing gear or flap failures, electrical or hydraulic system problems, instrument failures, smoke or fire, pitot-static blockages, and door or window opening in flight. In flight instructor training, this is a of instruction in which the CFI must be able to teach a student how to recognize each and respond using the manufacturer's and sound .