Operational Procedures
Operational Procedures tests the practical discipline of flight: pre-flight inspection, documentation, fuel and mass checks, normal and emergency procedures, radio failure, interception, security and passenger safety.
Normal operations
- Pre-flight inspection follows the POH checklist; do not rely on memory for critical items.
- Confirm documents, maintenance release, mass and balance, fuel quantity/quality and performance before departure.
- Brief passengers on harnesses, exits, oxygen and action in an emergency; secure loose items.
- Use standard calls and checklists for take-off, climb, cruise, descent, approach and landing.
Emergencies and abnormal operations
- For engine failure after take-off, establish glide, select a landing area, attempt restart only if height and time allow, and commit to the forced landing.
- For radio failure in VMC, squawk 7600, continue VFR, land at the nearest suitable aerodrome and report arrival; in IMC, follow the published lost-communication procedure.
- Interception: comply with signals, squawk 7700 if instructed, and follow the intercepting aircraft.
- Security: CAA Israel and airport security rules may require special handling; flight plans and border-crossing procedures must be correct.
Worked example
Your VFR flight suffers complete radio failure in VMC outside controlled airspace. Set transponder 7600, maintain VFR, avoid controlled airspace unless the published procedure allows entry, land at the nearest suitable aerodrome and telephone ATC to report. Do not continue the planned route as if nothing happened.
Traps that cost marks
- Treating a checklist as optional after the first few flights.
- Continuing into controlled airspace after radio failure without the published procedure.
- Forgetting passenger briefing and loose-object security.
- Rushing an emergency checklist while neglecting to fly the aircraft.