Operational Procedures
Operational Procedures tests standard operating procedures, pre-flight and fuel planning, alternates, emergencies, aerodrome operations and the practical conduct of a flight under Mauritian conditions. Questions favour a sequence of actions and a clear decision point.
Pre-flight and fuel
Check weather, NOTAM, performance, mass and balance, fuel, documents and emergency equipment. Fuel planning includes taxi, trip, contingency, alternate and final reserve. The final reserve is typically 30 minutes at holding speed, but confirm the operator and national requirement. Do not plan to land with less than the reserve.
Emergencies
Know the immediate actions and memory items for engine failure, fire, depressurisation and rejected takeoff. Fly the aircraft first, then navigate, communicate and manage the checklist. A MAYDAY is for distress; PAN PAN is for urgency. Give position, altitude, fuel, persons on board and nature of the problem.
Aerodrome operations
At a controlled aerodrome such as Plaisance, obtain clearance before entering the control zone or manoeuvring area, read back runway and altitude instructions, and report field in sight when asked. Be prepared for bird activity, noise-abatement requirements, sea breeze changes and cyclone preparedness.
Worked example
At 10,000 ft the cabin altitude warning sounds. The immediate actions are: oxygen masks on, establish crew communication, check pressurisation, and if cabin altitude is uncontrolled, commence an emergency descent to 10,000 ft or the minimum safe altitude, whichever is higher. Advise ATC with MAYDAY, giving position and intentions. Do not delay the descent to troubleshoot.
Traps
Delaying an emergency descent; using PAN PAN for a life-threatening emergency; omitting the readback of a hold-short or runway instruction; planning an alternate without checking its weather and fuel.