Operational Procedures
Operational Procedures covers the standard actions and emergency drills that keep normal and abnormal flights safe. It tests checklists, radio calls, fire and engine-failure handling, forced landing, ELT use, search and rescue, dangerous goods and security awareness.
Normal and emergency operations
- Use checklists at the correct phase; memory items are for time-critical emergencies. Keep a sterile cockpit during taxi, take-off, approach and landing.
- Radio failure: squawk 7600, follow the applicable lost-communication procedure and remain clear of controlled airspace unless a clearance was already held.
- Engine failure after take-off: establish best glide, select a landing area, attempt restart if appropriate, transmit MAYDAY, complete the checklist and prepare for a forced landing.
- Fire: shut off fuel and electrical supplies as directed, use the extinguisher, and land as soon as practicable.
- ELT activation and 121.5 MHz are associated with search and rescue; 7700 is the general emergency squawk.
Worked example
At 400 ft after take-off, the engine fails. The pilot lowers the nose to best glide, avoids a sharp turn back to the runway, selects a field within gliding range, checks fuel, mixture, ignition and primer, then transmits: 'MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY, G-ABCD, engine failure, 3 nm east of the airfield, 400 ft, two persons on board, forced landing.' The forced-landing checklist follows, with passenger briefing and doors planned.
Traps that cost marks
Do not attempt a turn back to the runway below a safe height; the stall/spin risk is high. Do not read a checklist while the aircraft is uncontrolled. A PAN PAN is urgency, not distress. Do not assume the ELT transmits on the VHF communication frequency. Dangerous goods carried without approval can invalidate the flight and create serious risk.
Key points
- Memory items for time-critical emergencies; checklists for complete drills.
- Radio failure: squawk 7600 and follow lost-communication procedures.
- Engine failure after take-off: best glide, landing area, restart attempt, MAYDAY, forced landing.
- Fire: fuel and electrical shut-off, extinguisher, land as soon as practicable.
- Distress is MAYDAY; urgency is PAN PAN; 7700 is the emergency squawk.
- ELT and 121.5 MHz support search and rescue; dangerous goods need approval.