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Commercial pilot · ACS CA.XI.A · lesson pack

After Landing, Parking, and Securing

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.

1 · Know these cold

  • •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)

2 · The lesson

Shutdown and inspection
  • 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
  • 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)

Want it all on one page, with scenarios? Read the full lesson.

3 · Say it out loud

Answer each one out loud, then check yourself and mark how it went.

  1. Remember Recall it

    “When may passengers leave the airplane?”

  2. Understand Explain why

    “Why write up a small discrepancy?”

  3. Apply Use it on a flight

    “After a charter, three passengers want to walk straight to the terminal across the ramp. What do you do?”

4 · 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.

5 · Quick check

Answer, then reveal. Flag anything you want to see again.

  1. 1. What should you check during the postflight inspection?

  2. 2. When do you let passengers disembark?

  3. 3. Why document discrepancies?

  4. 4. What items secure the airplane?

  5. Scenario5. The engine keeps running after the mags are off. What do you do?

Trained it? Now prove it: practice after landing, parking, and securing out loud with our examiner.

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Study aid, not FAA guidance. Sources: Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C); 14 CFR 91.213; Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A); Commercial Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-7B); Your airplane's POH/AFM. Checked against current sources 2026-11-13.