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FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S MANUAL 

117 

In giving simulated forced landings from altitudes of a thousand feet or over, the instructor should insist on the following routine procedure: 
1. Relax all controls. 
2. Automatically assume a normal glide while-- 
3. Looking for a field, or checking to be sure that the field which was, or should have been, in the pilot's mind at the time as the best available is the best selection. 
This checking should be done first to the side from which it is easiest for the pilot to observe, then ahead, then to the other side, and last to the rear. If several fields are available, the one to be selected is the one which appears--
(a) To be sufficiently large.
(b) To be in a favorable direction for landing into the wind and afford the easiest approach.
(c) By judgement of terrain, to be entirely suitable.
4. If the field is large enough, select the center as the "landing spot." If not, select a spot well within the boundary. This will compensate for reasonable errors in judgement of the effect of the wind in maneuvering, and in judgement of glide.
5. Maneuver to the "key position" on the leeward side of the field (see discussion of "key position" under accuracy landings) so that the landing can be made from a 90º turn in the glide. Arrival at the "key position" at the correct altitude is important. The student must be warned not to depend on his altimeter in estimating this altitude or in maneuvering to it. 
6. In continuing the approach from this key position--
(a) Make a closer estimate of the probable length of glide and make any corrections necessary.
(b) Make a more accurate estimate of obstacles to be cleared or avoided.
(c) Pick the best available portion of the field after evaluating factors (a) and (b) and maneuver to a landing, or a landing position, on it.
Unless the instructor is familiar with the field, an actual landing should not be made. However, it is important that the approach be continued as long as is consistent with safety and to a point where it is clear to the student that he either would or would not have made it and what his errors were.
Once a field has been selected, the student should be required to indicate it and not be allowed to change his mind. He should be required to make every effort to land on it as only by this means can his errors be determined, made apparent to him, and corrected.
Many times a better field immediately adjacent to the one selected will be seen while the approach is being made and the student will naturally want to change his mind. However, he must be impressed that it is better to stick to his original selection and suffer minor damage than to try to stretch into another field and miss both, which would probably result in a bad crash.
A constant gliding speed must be maintained, even though slightly fast, since variations of gliding speed nullify all attempts at accuracy in judgement of gliding distance and the landing spot.