English
Welcome to the test Unexpected Situations – 02.
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!
PILOT: Miami centre, Delta 2129, we have a pilot incapacitation the captain has passed out we request to divert to the nearest suitable airport with medical assistance on the ground.
ATC: Delta 2129 you are cleared to divert to Orlando international airport. Turn right heading 270 and descend to flight level 100. Medical assistance will be provided upon arrival in Orlando international airport.
EXAMINER: Now tell me in your own words everything the pilot and controller said.
The pilot informed Miami centre that they had a pilot incapacitation and the captain had passed out. He requested to divert to the nearest airport and medical assistance upon landing. The controller cleared Delta 2129 to divert to Orlando international airport and to turn right heading 270 and descend to flight level 100. The controller told the pilot that medical assistance would be provided upon arrival in Orlando international airport.
EXAMINER: What are the procedures for a pilot incapacitation?
There are specific procedures for a pilot incapacitation.
They are to first of all, call a flight attendant, then secure the pilot’s hands and arms and fasten his seat belt and push the seat back to prevent him from falling onto the panel or yoke.
After that we must check if there is a doctor on-board and finally, initiate the procedure written in the standard operating procedures manual (SOP).
EXAMINER: Now listen to situation number 2.
PILOT: Dubai centre, German Cargo 512 we have an engine vibration we need to descend to a lower altitude and we request to divert to the nearest airport.
ATC: German Cargo 512, cleared to descend to flight level 250. You are cleared to divert to Abu Dhabi international airport.
EXAMINER: Now tell me in your own words everything the pilot and controller said.
The pilot reported that they had an engine vibration and they needed to descend to a lower altitude and then requested to divert to the nearest airport. The controller cleared German Cargo 512 to descend to flight level 250 and cleared German Cargo 512 to divert to Abu Dhabi international airport.
EXAMINER: What can cause an engine vibration?
An engine vibration can be caused by a deformation of the blades caused by an ingestion, ice accumulation and a compressor stall can cause an engine vibration.
EXAMINER: Now listen situation number 3.
PILOT: Curitiba centre, PR – STK, we have had a navigation failure. Request vectors to fly to Curitiba airport.
ATC: PR – STK, roger turn right heading 170 and descend to flight level 300.
EXAMINER: Now tell me in your own words everything the pilot and controller said.
PR – STK reported that they had a navigation failure and requested vectors to fly to Curitiba airport. The ATC told PR – STK to turn right heading 170 and cleared to descend to flight level 300.
EXAMINER: If faced with a similar situation what actions would you take?
If I were the pilot I would use the raw data navigation and would use the VOR and the ADF.
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 the least difficult situation is the navigation system failure because there are other devices in the cockpit to navigate. An engine vibration is worse than a navigation failure because the pilots need to reduce the thrust to decrease the vibration and in some situations the pilots need to cut off the engine. But I would consider the pilot incapacitation the worst situation because this is normally an emergency situation. The workload is increased in the cockpit and finally it’s a very stressful situation for the pilot flying.
EXAMINER: Thank you. That is the end of this part.