When performing a one engine inoperative approach and landing, when should the flaps be set to 30 degrees?

When performing a one engine inoperative approach and landing, when should the flaps be set to 30 degrees?

• A. At the start of the approach.
• B. When it is certain there is no possibility of a go-around.
• C. At glideslope capture.
• D. Immediately after selecting initial flap.

Answer: (B)

When performing a one-engine-inoperative approach, you want to keep the airplane in the most favorable configuration for energy and maneuver margins until you are definitely committed to landing. Extending flaps to 30 degrees adds a lot of drag and reduces climb performance. If a go-around becomes necessary, that extra drag makes it harder to achieve a positive climb with only one engine. So the flap setting to 30 should be delayed until there is no possibility of a go-around—i.e., you are on a stable approach and a safe landing is assured. This preserves your options and ensures you can safely execute a go-around if needed.

When performing a one-engine-inoperative approach, you want to keep the airplane in the most favorable configuration for energy and maneuver margins until you are definitely committed to landing. Extending flaps to 30 degrees adds a lot of drag and reduces climb performance. If a go-around becomes necessary, that extra drag makes it harder to achieve a positive climb with only one engine. So the flap setting to 30 should be delayed until there is no possibility of a go-around—i.e., you are on a stable approach and a safe landing is assured. This preserves your options and ensures you can safely execute a go-around if needed.