Operational Procedures
Scope
Operational Procedures tests preflight action, fuel management, passenger safety, radio procedures, emergency handling, wake turbulence, runway incursion, and checklist discipline. The exam favours practical decisions over memorized slogans.
Core rules
- Complete weight and balance, fuel, weather, NOTAM, and aircraft inspection before flight; brief passengers on exits, belts, and smoking.
- Use checklists; memory items only for time-critical emergencies.
- Emergencies: aviate, navigate, communicate. For engine failure after takeoff, pitch for best glide, select a landing area ahead, avoid steep turns, then troubleshoot.
- Wake turbulence: stay above and upwind of a larger aircraft's flight path; land beyond its touchdown point.
- Never enter a runway without clearance at a controlled field; read back hold-short instructions.
Worked example
At 300 ft after takeoff, the engine runs rough and loses power. Reasoning: first lower the nose to maintain best glide and airspeed; do not turn back at low altitude. Choose the clearest landing area ahead, then check fuel selector, mixture, carburettor heat, and ignition as the checklist allows. Communicate only when the aircraft is under control.
Traps
Turning back to the runway after a low-altitude engine failure. Troubleshooting before establishing glide speed. Forgetting passenger briefing. Crossing a hold-short line because the runway looks clear. Following a heavy aircraft too closely.