Commercial pilot · ACS CA.XI.A
After Landing, Parking, and Securing
A flight ends when the airplane is secured, the passengers are safe, and every discrepancy is written up.
Why this one matters
Ramp accidents (walking into a propeller, a hand-propped engine, an unsecured airplane in wind) happen after the flight is "over". A commercial pilot is responsible for the passengers until they're safely off the ramp and for leaving the airplane ready and safe for the next pilot.
Can’t miss
- •After landing: keep control, slow to taxi speed, clear the runway and stop beyond the holding-position marking, then the POH after-landing checklist (never while rolling, when it's easy to grab the wrong control). Park where propwash and wingtips won't hit anything, and follow the marshaller: stop (arms crossed overhead), cut engines (a slash across the throat), chocks in, all clear.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Postflight; AIM 4-3-25)
- •Shut down by your POH checklist, in its order. Before shutdown, at idle, check the magneto grounding: switch momentarily OFF (the engine should start to die) and back to BOTH. If it keeps running with the switch OFF, a P-lead is broken: stop it with mixture cutoff, leave the switch off, treat the propeller as live, and write it up.(Your airplane's POH/AFM)
- •Passengers: keep them seated until the propeller stops, then walk them away from the propeller and other traffic on the ramp.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Postflight)
- •Do a postflight inspection: leaks, damage, tire wear, oil, fuel for the next flight.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Postflight)
- •Write up every discrepancy, then decide airworthiness: with an MEL, follow it; without one, 91.213(d) allows flight only if the item isn't required by the type certificate, equipment list or KOEL, 91.205 or another rule, or an AD, and it is removed or deactivated, placarded and recorded, and judged no hazard.(14 CFR 91.213)
- •Secure the airplane: control lock, chocks, tiedowns or hangar, pitot cover, doors locked.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Postflight)
- •Follow airport security procedures: gate codes, badges, escorting passengers, keeping the ramp gates closed.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Postflight)
What you should know
Shutdown and inspection K1 · K2
- The POH shutdown checklist controls. A typical example: parking brake set, throttle idle (about 1,000 RPM), turbocharger cool-down if applicable, a momentary magneto grounding check, propeller as equipped, avionics and alternator off, mixture idle cutoff, magnetos off and key out, master off.(Your airplane's POH/AFM)
- Parking brake until the chocks are in, then release it per the POH: never trust it alone for an unattended airplane (pressure bleeds off), and be careful setting it with hot brakes or in freezing conditions.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Postflight)
- Walk around: oil, fuel leaks, tires, brakes, damage, bird or hail strikes, lights.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Postflight)
- Record discrepancies and servicing needs (oil, fuel, a burned-out light) on the squawk sheet or logbook so the next pilot and maintenance know.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Postflight)
Passengers, ramp and security R1 · R2 · R3 · R4
- Distractions are at their peak after landing (relief, conversation, the passengers): use the checklist, not memory.(Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A))
- Don't let anyone off until the propeller is stopped; escort passengers across the ramp, away from propellers, fuel trucks and taxiing airplanes.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Postflight)
- Follow the airport's security rules: badges, gate codes, escorting non-badged people, closing gates behind you.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Postflight)
Securing
- Control lock, chocks, tiedowns at the wing and tail rings at about 45° per the POH (chains with a little slack, about an inch; ropes snug, not loose and not bar-taut; natural-fiber rope shrinks when wet), pitot cover, cowl plugs if used, doors locked.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Postflight)
- Park into the wind if strong winds are forecast, or hangar the airplane.(Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Postflight)
Scenarios
Decide what you would do first, then see the worked answer.
You notice a small oil leak on the postflight.
What do you do? See the worked answer
Write it up and tell maintenance before the next flight; don't assume it's normal.
Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Postflight
Strong winds are forecast overnight.
How do you secure the airplane? See the worked answer
Hangar if possible; otherwise tie down wings and tail into the wind, with the control lock and chocks.
Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Postflight
The magneto check at shutdown shows the engine keeps running with the key off.
What does that mean? See the worked answer
A P-lead is broken and a magneto is hot: the propeller is live. Stop the engine with mixture cutoff, leave the switch off, write it up, warn everyone, and keep people clear.
Your airplane's POH/AFM
Common mistakes
Unloading passengers with the engine running.
Propeller strikes.
Instead: Shut down first.
Skipping the postflight walk-around.
Problems go unreported.
Instead: Inspect and write up.
Leaving the airplane unsecured.
Wind damage or theft.
Instead: Lock, chock, tie down.
Now train it
Say it out loud, hear it asked, and take the quick check in this lesson’s practice pack. It tracks your shaky spots.
Got it?
When it feels solid, practice after landing, parking, and securing out loud with our examiner.
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Go to the source (free)
Teaching this? The instructor lesson plan →
Sources
- Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C): Postflight
- 14 CFR 91.213: Inoperative instruments and equipment
- Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A)
- Commercial Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-7B): Area XI
- Your airplane's POH/AFM: Normal Procedures (shutdown)
Study aid, not FAA guidance. Regulations change; check the current text at eCFR and the ACS. Checked against current sources 2026-11-13.