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Problems - Reading them

Page history last edited by Béatrice H. Alves 14 years ago

Pick a problem and think of how you would handle the situation.

 

 

  1. While flying level at a cruise altitude of 29,000 feet, you hear and see a warning on the annunciator panel. The instruments show that cabin pressure is steadily decreasing. Efforts to maintain the required pressure are unsuccessful and it will take another 2 hours to reach your destination.  How would you handle this problem?

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  2. Descending from a higher altitude, you notice that the altimeter and the air speed indicator are giving unrealistic numbers. Just a few minutes ago, the altimeter was indicating an altitude of 29,000 feet. Despite having been descending for awhile now, the altitude reading remains at 29,000 feet. Your co-pilot’s instruments are also affected. The controller is now expecting you to make a level report.  How would you handle this problem?

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  3. You are the pilot in command of a passenger jet on a twelve-hour flight. Halfway through your flight at 37,000 feet altitude, a warning light in the panel illuminated. The warning signifies that the airplane is now fuel critical. You are sure, however, that the aircraft was refueled with reserves prior to your departure. In this situation, what would you do?

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  4. Immediately after takeoff, the number four engine of your passenger jet suffered an engine surge. You and your cockpit crews successfully carried out the shutdown procedure. You made a radio call to base engineers, who advised that continuing the flight to your destination is an option, but that the final decision lies with you. As the pilot in command, would you decide to return to the point of origin or continue with the eight-hour flight to your destination?

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  5. Minutes after take-off, you are leveling at cruise altitude when your airplane begins experiencing intermittent but serious loss of electric power. Electrical power shuts down then returns after a minute. This on and off cycle of the electrical system continues despite the measures you have taken to solve the problem. This condition also affects the flight instruments and flight computer management system (FCM). What would you do in this situation?

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  6. You are the captain of a passenger jet which is now cruising at 39,000 feet. At your present speed, you still have 6 hours before your next stop. Moments later, an attendant calls you over the intercom, informing you that the passengers are feeling very uncomfortable because of the freezing temperature in the cabin. Checking the instruments, you find that the air conditioning system is not functioning. All other systems are normal however, including the pressurization system. You tried to reset and adjust the temperature control but the problem still continue. If you were in this situation, would you proceed to your destination or do something else?

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  7. You are the pilot in command of a passenger jet on a twelve-hour flight. Halfway through your flight at 37,000 feet altitude, a warning light in the panel illuminated. The warning signifies that the airplane is now fuel critical. You are sure, however, that the aircraft was refueled with reserves prior to your departure. In this situation, what would you do?

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  8. En route to your destination, one of your engines fail for an unknown reason. You declared an emergency and the air traffic controller directed you to the nearest suitable airport for landing. While on final towards the nearest airport, you were successful in restarting the dead engine. Will you continue to land or resume your flight to your original destination?

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  9. You have a scheduled flight on this cold and snowy morning. During the pre-flight, you noticed that the rudder pedal required more pressure for full rudder deflection. You decided to takeoff anyway. Accelerating for takeoff, the 200-seat aircraft began to deviate to the left of the runway centerline. This movement couldn’t be completely countered by applying rudder. The aircraft’s velocity is still below the decision speed but braking action might be poor due to some wet patches along the 2.4 kilometer runway. Will you continue the flight or abandon the takeoff?

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  10. You are taking off in extremely cold weather. The acceleration is normal but as you get airborne, your airspeed indication differs from your first officer’s instrument airspeed indication. The vertical speed indicator shows zero rate of climb but you know that you’re climbing at more than a thousand feet a minute. What would you do in this situation?

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  11. After a successful touchdown, your aircraft is now rolling along the runway. As you move the throttle levers rearwards the flight-idle position to reduce thrust, the throttle jams, preventing the airplane from slowing down. You are now nearing the end of the runway. What would you do in this situation?

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  12. While flying at cruise altitude, you briefed your passengers about the weather forecast, estimated time of arrival at the destination airport, and other pertinent data about the flight. Moments later, you learn from a flight attendant that they did not hear any cabin announcement from the flight deck. After some checking and testing, you find out that the passenger announce system is inoperative. What would you do now to relay your message to the passengers?

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  13. It is dark and you are flying the heavy passenger jet. You have reached your destination and have been cleared to land with a precision approach procedure. You are already on final and are just passing over the outer marker when all your instruments suddenly fail, including your ILS. How would you handle this situation?

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  14. As you taxi the airplane from the ramp to the runway for takeoff, you hear from your cabin crew that some passengers are protesting and demanding that you stop the flight. They claim that the airplane is not safe to fly because fuel is leaking from the tanks in the left wing. What would you do in this situation?

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  15. Imagine that you are the pilot of a small, private jet carrying a very important guest and you were instructed to provide the safest flight possible. While taxing to the runway for take-off, you realize that one of your radios is malfunctioning. However your other radio seems to be working fine. Would you still continue with the flight? Why or why not?

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  16. While flying en route to your destination at 35,000 feet altitude, you receive a pilot report that a storm has developed along your route. You intend to maintain your route and fly around the weather when you get near to it. When you check your weather radar, however, you find that it is not working properly. Would you still continue with your plan to fly around the storm? Why or why not?

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  17. You are now approaching your destination airport. You have learned from the ATIS broadcast that arriving aircraft should use VOR/DME Runway 12 approach. While attempting to intercept the inbound course, you learn that your VOR/RNAV is out of order. What would you do in this situation?

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  18. You are now descending for the approach at your destination airport. The controller cautioned you of poor braking action due to patches of ice on the runway. When you try to extend the flaps and reduce speed, however, you find that the flaps cannot be extended. What would you do in this situation?

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  19. While flying a passenger jet, you are surprised to smell something burning. A moment later, you see smoke coming out of the airplane’s instrument panel. Now, you can hardy see the instruments because of the smoke. What would you do in this situation?

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  20. You are the pilot of a twin engine airplane. While you were flying, one of the passengers said that it looked like fuel was leaking. You checked your fuel gauge but you could not find anything unusual. What will you do in this situation?

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  21. While taking off, your airplane’s main tires burst due to foreign objects on the runway. Since you have already reached the decision speed V1, you continue and are able to take off successfully. However, your aircraft now has severely damaged tires. How would you handle this problem?

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  22. You are the captain of a passenger aircraft which is about to take an 8-hour flight. You wait for almost an hour before receiving takeoff clearance, due to the great number of departing aircraft. While climbing after takeoff, a warning light on the panel illuminates, to indicate that a passenger door is open.Will you return to the airport or proceed with the flight?

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  23. You are now leveling at FL350 when you notice that the altimeters, airspeed indicators, and vertical speed indicators are fluctuating. Other instruments are working normally however. Since the outside air temperature is below freezing, you suspect that the anti-icing system is not functioning.How would you handle this problem?

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  24. Minutes after takeoff, while climbing to cruise altitude, you notice that your aircraft is turning to the right on its own. You think that you are just disoriented but your first officer confirms the directional instability of the aircraft. You are sure that this is a case of an uncommanded rudder.How would you handle this problem?

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  25. You are the pilot in command of a big passenger jet. Prior to takeoff, you note abnormalities with the airplane clocks. You are able to correct them, so you proceed with the flight. While en route, the airplane experiences numerous electrical abnormalities where various warning lights would illuminate, and then extinguish.How would you handle this problem?

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  26. During climb out in a thunderstorm, you and your crew smell a very strong electrical burning odor. The flight attendants also report the same odor and the passengers express worry about the odor as well.How would you handle this problem?

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  27. You are flying at cruising altitude with the autopilot engaged. You have been encountering some light occasional turbulence when the aircraft suddenly starts to shake violently. It feels to you like the nose of the aircraft is bouncing up and down without any roll movement. The control column is moving back and forth in a very violent but distinctive cyclic pattern.How would you handle this problem?

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  28. After takeoff, you hear a high frequency vibration that can also be felt in the feet and control column. There are no messages on the engine indicating an alerting system however. The vibration starts mildly but slowly increases in intensity, and lasts about 30 seconds. You are able to climb to 17,000 feet when the plane suddenly starts to roll to the right.How would you handle this problem?

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  29. While on approach for a landing at an airport, lightning strikes your airplane. Immediately after the lightning strike, the onboard ILS and the communication radio become inoperative. How would you handle this problem?

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  30. You are now leveling at FL 280 minutes after takeoff. As you engage the autopilot, a warning light illuminates, indicating hydraulic system malfunction. Checking the instruments, you learn that hydraulic pressure is slowly decreasing.How would you handle this problem?

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  31. A couple of hours after leveling at your assigned flight level, the senior flight attendant is on the intercom. According to him, there is a foul odor in the passenger cabin and some passengers are complaining of dizziness and vomiting. It takes about 3 hours more to reach your destination airport.How would you handle this problem?

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  32. You are flying a four-engine passenger airplane. As you descend for a landing, the left outboard engine goes out of control and over speeds, producing maximum thrust. Because the other engines are set to lower settings, there is unequal thrust between the left and right sides of the airplane, resulting in a right yaw movement. You are supposed to intercept the ILS signal for a landing now.How would you handle this problem?

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  33. You are the captain of an aircraft on final approach. Due to poor visibility, you opt to abort the landing. As you climb for the 360 degree orbit, you notice that the rudder response time is abnormally long. According to the controller, another pilot from the ground had seen a part of your aircraft’s rudder separate during the climb. Landing for the second time will surely make it harder for your airplane in stormy weather like this. How would you handle this problem?

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  34. It is raining hard as you roll for takeoff. After climbing out and leveling at cruise altitude, you engage the autopilot. Moments later, you notice that the passenger aircraft is oscillating in pitch. You manage to stabilize the aircraft a few seconds after disengaging the autopilot. Engaging the autopilot a second time, the aircraft begins to oscillate again. You intend to fly it manually but you can hardly move the control column. You notice that the outside air temperature is below zero degrees Celsius.How would you handle this problem?

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  35. You are the pilot of an aircraft which is suffering from partial loss of control because the ailerons are not working properly. Adhering to the manual, you decide to land at the nearest airport. The air traffic controller warns you that the alternate airport is not equipped with a precision landing system but the runway can accommodate a passenger airplane like yours. Nearing the airport, you spot lightning several miles ahead of your intended course. You talk to the air traffic controller and he confirms that there is storm activity in the vicinity of the airport.How would you handle this problem?

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  36. As you approach your destination airport on a sunny afternoon, you notice that there is an imbalance between the left and the right wings of the airplane. An attendant reports that several passengers had seen fuel leaking from the right wing. Moments later, the right engine fails, probably due to fuel starvation. Flying with one engine, you declare an emergency. Realizing your situation, the controller immediately clears you to land. Descending on the runway for approach, you see a B747 which has just landed but is clearing the runway. Wake vortex suddenly races through your mind.How would you handle this problem?

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  37. One evening, due to unfavorable weather conditions at your destination airport, you are diverted to another airport which is unfamiliar to you. You estimate that you have just enough fuel remaining to reach the alternate airport. 40 miles from the airport, you try to contact the Approach Control repeatedly but you receive no response. To make things worse, your navigation receivers are not picking up any signal from the VOR and NDB stations which are supposed to guide you to the alternate airport.How would you handle this problem?

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  38. You are the captain of an aircraft. During take off, the landing gears fail to retract and they stay in their deployed position. You continue to climb however, since the flight will only take an hour and you are confident that the problem will be corrected before landing. Doing this will enable you to reach your destination on time. Your first officer, however, thinks otherwise. According to him, the problem might be more complicated and recommends that you go back and land at the origin as soon as possible before the situation gets worse.How would you handle this problem?

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  39. You are the pilot of an aircraft that is cruising at FL 370 with autopilot engaged. Suddenly, a flight attendant reports that the passengers are complaining about a strange odor. You check the cabin and there is indeed a very strange odor. The instruments are all reading normal however. You discuss this with your captain.. Your captain suggests that you continue the flight since there is no indication of any malfunction and there is nothing in the quick reference manual (QRM) that suggests that the flight should be canceled.How would you handle this problem?

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  40. You are cruising at 37,000 feet en route to your destination. Suddenly, a flight attendant calls you on the interphone and reports that they heard a loud noise and that the passenger’s cabin is now filled with fog and debris. The flight attendant also informs you that she is starting to feel dizzy.How would you handle this problem?

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