Operational Procedures
The Operational Procedures paper tests the practical sequence of a flight, from pre-flight preparation to shutdown and reporting. It covers documents, weather and NOTAM checks, mass and balance, fuel, passenger briefing, checklists, taxi and departure, emergencies, and arrival at an international airport.
Pre-flight and departure
Confirm licences, medical, aircraft documents, maintenance release, W&B, fuel and weather. Check AIP, NOTAMs and the flight plan. Brief passengers on exits, belts, smoking and emergency equipment. Use written checklists; do not rely on memory. At FIMP, obtain clearance before taxi and read back hold-short instructions.
Abnormal and emergency
Engine failure after takeoff: maintain control, establish best glide, select a landing area, attempt restart, transmit MAYDAY, secure the aircraft and prepare for evacuation. For radio failure in controlled airspace, follow the published procedures, squawk 7600 and remain clear of controlled airspace unless cleared.
Worked example
On climb-out at 400 ft, the engine runs rough and loses power. The pilot lowers the nose to maintain flying speed, selects a field within gliding range, checks fuel selector, mixture, carburettor heat and ignition, then transmits MAYDAY. Turning back to the runway is rejected because the aircraft is too low and downwind. The reasoning is: control first, then navigate, then communicate.
Traps
Skipping the passenger briefing; omitting a departure alternate; not closing a flight plan; entering a runway without a clearance; and using checklists only when convenient.