This course presents some of the most important and common aircraft performance issues that are involved in aircraft accidents. The course is designed to give the investigator a relatively “low-tech, non-mathematical” introduction to the highly specialized and complex subjects of performance analysis and aerodynamics. The participants will be introduced to basic concepts of performance anomalies and how to recognize them in an accident situation. The emphasis is on pragmatic performance deficiency recognition and how to evaluate the significance of such a deficiency during an accident investigation. The classroom discussion centers on those aspects of aircraft performance that are known to contribute to aircraft accidents. Problems such as icing, weight and balance, and wind shear will be described as well as the accident clues to these factors. The course will draw heavily on accident case studies to illustrate and amplify the subjects under discussion.

This course is for investigators not trained as aeronautical engineers, who need to better understand the performance aspects of aircraft accidents and incidents. It is also valuable for engineers who need a basic understanding of how their specialty is involved in aircraft accident investigation.

• You will learn the basic steps in conducting an effective investigation of aircraft performance.
• You will review specific situations where aircraft performance factors have led to aircraft accidents and see how to recognize these factors from evidence at the accident scene.
• You will gain an understanding of how to evaluate aircraft performance as a part of an accident.
• You will learn the role of the technical expert in aircraft accident investigation.
• You will learn the elements of an effective technical investigator’s report and how this report relates to the final aircraft accident report.
• You will use case studies and practical exercises to reinforce and illustrate the subjects covered in the course.
• The API course is an elective for the Certificate in Aircraft Accident Investigation.
• The Board of Certified Safety Professionals accepts this course for Continuation of Certification Credit.
• SCSI will award 3.6 CEUs to each participant who successfully completes this course.

• Loads and Stresses on Aircraft.
• The Aircraft Flight Envelope.
• Determining Aircraft Performance
• Takeoff and Landing Performance Degradation
• Stalls and Spins
• Downwash and Wingtip Vortex Hazards.
• Loss of Performance.
• Ground Operations Hazards.
• Stability and Control.
• Icing.
• High Speed Flight.
• Preparing the Technical Report.
• Case Studies and Practical Exercises in Aircraft Performance and Material Factors Investigation.

Taught at the DoubleTree Hotel on the waterfront in San Pedro in Southern California, the Aircraft Performance Investigation Course consists of 4.5 days (36 hours) of instruction. Students receive a textbook, lecture outlines, additional reference material and a Certificate of Completion. Classes begin daily at 0800 and end at noon on Friday.