Operational Procedures
Operational Procedures tests standard operating practice in normal, abnormal and emergency situations. The exam focuses on decision speed, checklist discipline, diversion and the difference between urgent and precautionary actions.
Core procedures
- Before takeoff, brief the rejected-takeoff decision. Before V1, reject for a significant abnormality; after V1, continue unless the aircraft cannot fly.
- After an engine failure after V1, maintain control, climb to the approved acceleration altitude, clean up as required and run the checklist. Do not turn back low and slow.
- Memory items are for time-critical actions; the full checklist follows. Do not skip checklist confirmation.
- “Land immediately” means the landing is imminent; “land as soon as possible” allows a nearby suitable aerodrome; “land as soon as practicable” permits more planning.
- Diversion considers weather, fuel, runway, emergency services and passenger welfare.
- In a depressurisation, oxygen masks and emergency descent take priority over radio calls.
Worked example
At 100 kt before V1, a loud bang and directional control problem occur. Reject: close throttles, maintain directional control, use brakes and reverse as available, and stop on the runway. If the same failure occurs after V1, continue the takeoff, establish climb and deal with the failure using the checklist.
Traps
Treating V1 as a “maybe” speed; turning back to the departure runway after a low-altitude engine failure; reading the checklist before flying the aircraft; and confusing the three “land” phrases.