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Flight Phase

Drift down

A procedure for descending to a safe altitude following engine failure at cruise. Aircraft descends along a planned path ensuring obstacle clearance and safe flight.

Quick answer: A procedure for descending to a safe altitude following engine failure at cruise. Aircraft descends along a planned path ensuring obstacle clearance and safe flight.

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Quick answer

A procedure for descending to a safe altitude following engine failure at cruise. Aircraft descends along a planned path ensuring obstacle clearance and safe flight.

Why it matters

Drift down matters because it supports clear communication in Flight Phase contexts for Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, and Cabin Crew. It also connects to aviation training and exam language such as ICAO Level 4, ICAO Level 5, ICAO Level 6, and EASA FCL.055.

Editorial context

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Questions and answers

Questions and answers

What is Drift down?

In this glossary, Drift down refers to: A procedure for descending to a safe altitude following engine failure at cruise. Aircraft descends along a planned path ensuring obstacle clearance and safe flight.

How is Drift down used in aviation?

In aviation communication, this term appears in contexts such as: "Karena kegagalan mesin, kami melakukan drift down dari FL350 untuk menjaga keselamatan dari hambatan."

Why does Drift down matter in aviation?

Drift down matters because it supports clear communication in Flight Phase contexts for Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, and Cabin Crew. It also connects to aviation training and exam language such as ICAO Level 4, ICAO Level 5, ICAO Level 6, and EASA FCL.055.

Who uses Drift down?

Drift down is mainly used by Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, and Cabin Crew.

What category does Drift down belong to?

In this glossary, Drift down is grouped under Flight Phase. Related pages in this category explain adjacent procedures, commands and operational concepts.

Where does this definition come from?

This definition is sourced from ICAO Doc 9432, FAA PCG and published by Protermify Aviation as a static aviation reference page.

Definition

A procedure for descending to a safe altitude following engine failure at cruise. Aircraft descends along a planned path ensuring obstacle clearance and safe flight.

Operational example

Due engine failure, we are initiating drift down from flight level three five zero to maintain obstacle clearance.

Localized term

Drift down

Localized example

Karena kegagalan mesin, kami melakukan drift down dari FL350 untuk menjaga keselamatan dari hambatan.

Definition language

English reference definition

Source

ICAO Doc 9432, FAA PCG

Category

Flight Phase

Exam relevance

  • ICAO Level 4
  • ICAO Level 5
  • ICAO Level 6
  • EASA FCL.055

Target audience

  • Pilots
  • Air Traffic Controllers
  • Cabin Crew

Related terms

Use the related links below to continue through connected aviation terminology.

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