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Welcome to the test Unexpected Situations – 18.
This test contains 3 situations that you can choose from the menu on the left-hand side of this page. Always try to answer before reading the expected answer!
ATC: Shamrock129 Miami Center. Turn left heading 280 right now to avoid the area ahead of you. It’s a prohibited airspace area.
PILOT: Miami Center Shamrock129, no can do, a passenger has just collapsed onboard we assume he has had a heart attack we need to land right away and medical assistance on the ground.
EXAMINER: Now tell me in your own words everything the pilot and controller said.
I understood the controller requested the pilot to turn left heading 280 immediately to avoid the prohibited airspace ahead of them.
The pilot informed that they were not able to deviate to the left due to a medical emergency on board, they assumed that a passenger had had a heart attack.
They requested priority to land and medical assistance on the ground.
EXAMINER: What should the flight attendants do in a situation like this?
As far as I know the flight attendants must inform the captain about the situation, request a doctor onboard, and last but not least apply first aid to the passenger.
EXAMINER: Now listen to situation number 2.
PILOT: Rio Control, Azul485, we heard a strong noise followed by indications of autopilot failure. We need to descend to a visual altitude.
ATC: Azul 485 Roger. Cleared to descend to FL080, inform when reaching FL, and keep us informed about the situation.
EXAMINER: Now tell me in your own words everything the pilot and controller said.
The pilot contacted the controller to inform they have heard a strong noise followed by an indication of auto pilot failure. They needed to descend to a visual altitude.
The controller understood the situation and cleared the pilot to descend to FL080 and to keep them informed about the situation.
EXAMINER:How can auto pilot help the pilots during a flight?
The auto pilot system is an important tool for pilots as it reduces the workload in the cockpit and reduces pilot errors.
EXAMINER: Now situation number 3.
PILOT: Mayday mayday mayday Sydney Approach Qantas97, We were struck by lightning. We lost engine number 4. Request immediate descend and priority to land.
ATC: Qantas97 Roger mayday. Cleared to fly heading Sydney VOR and descend to FL100. We will request assistance on the ground.
EXAMINER: Now tell me in your own words everything the pilot and controller said.
I understood the pilot declared emergency due to a lightning strike. They have lost engine number 4 so the pilot requested immediate descend and priority to land.
The controller understood that the pilots were in an emergency situation and cleared them to fly heading Sydney VOR and descend to FL100. The controller would request assistance on the ground.
EXAMINER: What can a lightning strike cause to the airplane?
A lighting strike can be very dangerous especially to small airplanes because it can cause an engine failure, electrical system failure and even a disaster. Recently there was a well known case that occurred in Russia where many lives were lost.
EXAMINER: Now, considering the three situations you have heard in part three: How would you compare them? You may want to compare them in terms of severity, possible solutions and ways of prevention. Which one do you think is the most difficult to deal with? Why?
In my opinion, diverting due to a prohibited airspace is the least serious situation to deal with because the only necessary action is to avoid the area by requesting a new heading.
The auto pilot failure is worse than the prohibited airspace because the pilot will need to fly the airplane manually increasing the workload in the cockpit.
However, the lightning strike followed by an engine failure is the worst situation to deal with because the pilot must descend and land at the nearest suitable airport as soon as possible to avoid any further situation like an emergency landing.
I believe the best methods of prevention are good maintenance, constant training and reliable backup systems.
EXAMINER: Thank you. That is the end of part three.