Operational Procedures
Operational procedures test your ability to apply standard practices under normal and abnormal conditions. Begin with pre-flight planning: weather minima, fuel requirements, alternate selection, and the take-off and landing performance checks. Know the standard operating procedures for normal take-off, climb, cruise, descent, approach, and landing, and the callouts associated with each.
Emergency procedures are central. Learn the memory items for engine failure after take-off, engine fire, and forced landing, and understand the decision altitude concept. Know the meaning of V1, Vr, V2, Vmca, and Vne, and how each constrains the operation. Understand the purpose of checklists and the discipline of challenge-and-response.
Worked example
An engine fails shortly after take-off below the decision speed. The correct response is to reject the take-off, reduce power, maintain directional control, and brake. Above decision speed, continue the take-off and climb to a safe altitude before addressing the failure.
Traps include mixing memory items with checklist items, choosing a response that ignores the decision speed, and overlooking the need to maintain control before troubleshooting.