THE SCHIFF SHOW Episode 15 – "ENGINE FAILURE! Prevention, Identification, and Confrontation"
Hosted by renowned pilot and aviation expert CAPTAIN BRIAN SCHIFF
With special guest presenter MARK TOMICICH
We’ll start with a familiar scenario: a VFR cross-country after refueling that turns into an engine problem and an emergency approach in low ceilings and mist. Using the accident sequence—from the first vibration and oil-pressure anomaly through the last-ditch approach to Flagler County—we’ll focus on recognizing engine trouble early, choosing a landing option when options are limited, and avoiding a stall while “stretching” the glide near the ground.
VFR content will cover preflight and maintenance red flags, fuel and configuration decisions, realistic personal weather minimums, and procedures to follow if you lose power near marginal VFR or rising terrain.
IFR content will focus on clear, unambiguous communication with ATC, assessing whether vectors and approach geometry keep the runway within glide range, and controlling airspeed and altitude from cloud break to touchdown. Throughout, we’ll turn the investigation’s findings on oil-starvation engine failure, weak maintenance documentation, and pilot–controller miscommunication into practical checklists, briefing habits, and training scenarios any pilot can use on their very next flight.
What you’ll learn:
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Our special guest is MARK TOMICICH
Mark Tomicich, a retired senior FAA attorney, will provide a clear regulatory and legal perspective to the case study. Drawing on his agency experience, he will explain how the FAA assesses pilot decision-making, maintenance oversight, and ATC roles in incidents like this.
He’ll discuss what you should (and should not) do or say after an incident or accident. He’ll highlight what “looks good” and what raises red flags to investigators, describe how the post-accident process typically proceeds, and explain how to align your VFR and IFR operations with both the letter and the spirit of the regulations.
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The Schiff Show is a monthly aviation education variety show hosted by Brian Schiff and sponsored by AVEMCO. It is offered for FAA WINGS credit. Brian will discuss a specific theme across five program segments on the second Thursday of each month. The themes will be chosen from a hit list of common accident causes. Each episode will be one hour long and focus on a particular causal accident factor, and will include the following segments:
Registration is not required. Go to TheSchiffShow.tv at 7:00 PM Central Time on the second Thursday of the month and join the show. All episodes are archived on TheSchiffShow.tv and available to watch (for WINGS credit) anytime after the original air time. (NOTE: you must be watching live to participate in the game show portion.)
The Schiff Show promises to be an hour well spent, which will fly by while you have fun and learn to be a safer pilot.
COURSE RESOURCES for "Engine Failure! Prevention, Identification, and Confrontation"
TO ACCESS EACH RESOURCE - CLICK ON THE RELATED LINK BELOW
Brian Schiff is a captain for a major US airline and is type-rated on the Airbus A320, Boeing 727, 757, 767, DC-9 (MD-80), CL-65, LR-JET, and G-V. Schiff’s roots are deeply planted in general aviation where he has flown a wide variety of aircraft. His total flying time is over 21,000 hours.
He is a Gold Seal flight instructor and FAASTeam Representative and holds several flight instructor ratings. He is recognized for his enthusiasm and ability to teach in a way that simplifies complex procedures and concepts. He has been actively instructing since earning his flight and ground instructor certificates in 1985. Schiff also has been an FAA-designated examiner.
He attended San Jose State University, and earned his B.S. degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and his M.S. Degree in Aviation Safety from the University of Central Missouri. He regularly teaches and conducts seminars about aviation safety and techniques to student and professional pilots.
CLICK HERE to learn more on Captain Schiff's Website!
Mark Tomicich is the Managing Member at Beartooth Aviation Law.
Mark retired from the FAA Office of the Chief Counsel with 34 years of service. Mark provided counsel on aviation accident investigations and lawsuits arising from those accidents. Mark has represented the FAA at dozens of on-site accident investigations and NTSB Public Hearings, including major accidents, such as:
Mark is a member of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI) and continues to teach a portion of the Advanced Aircraft Accident Investigation Course at the DOT’s Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) in Oklahoma City.
Mark holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Airplane Multi-Engine Land and instrument ratings.
SINGLE WINGS CREDIT
Click below to access the course quiz and earn immediate WINGS Credit
CLICK HERE to go to the WINGS Quiz
Step 1 - Login to your FAASafety WINGS account
Step 2- Take Quiz - Receive Immediate WINGS Credit
If you are not registered on the FAASafety website you may do so below
CLICK HERE to register on the FAA Safety website
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FLIGHT REVIEW / PHASE OF WINGS
The contents of this program can be used to complete a flight review.
A WINGS based flight review helps assure both student and instructor that a complete and well documented flight review in category and class of aircraft has been accomplished.
CLICK HERE to access a copy of the Theme Based TSS #15 Flight Review and Phase of WINGS Guide
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CLICK HERE to view past presentations and earn WINGS Credit!