English
Welcome to the test Unexpected Situations – 01.
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: HEATHROW GROUND, Speedbird 12, we need to de-ice the aircraft because we have ice over the ailerons and horizontal stabilizer. Request instructions to return and start the de-icing procedure.
ATC: Speedbird 12, Roger I understood you need to return because you need to do the de-icing procedure. Cleared to return via taxiway Bravo , report before apron 1.
EXAMINER: Now tell me in your own words everything the pilot and controller said.
I understood that the pilot of Speed Bird 12 contacted Heathrow ground and informed them that they needed to start the de-icing procedure because they had ice over the ailerons and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot requested to return and start the de-icing procedure.
The controller understood that Speed Bird 12 needed to return because they needed to do the de-icing procedure and cleared them to return via taxiway Bravo and report before apron 1.
EXAMINER: What problems can ice cause to the airplane on the ground?
If the de icing procedure is not done before take off the aircraft controls can become stuck and the pilots can experience problems during take off such as loss of lift possibly resulting in a disaster.
EXAMINER: Now listen to situation number 2.
PILOT: MIAMI CENTER, N47480, WE HAVE AN ENGINE VIBRATION IN THE RIGHT HAND ENGINE. WE NEED TO DESCEND TO FLIGHT LEVEL 260 AND VECTORS TO DIVERT TO THE NEAREST SUITABLE AIRPORT.
ATC: N47480, YOU ARE CLEARED TO DESCEND TO FLIGHT LEVEL 260. TURN RIGHT, HEADING 240. YOU ARE DIVERTING TO ORLANDO AIRPORT. INFORM WHEN REACHING FLIGHT LEVEL 260.
EXAMINER: Now tell me in your own words everything the pilot and controller said.
The pilot of N47480 said that they had an engine vibration in the right hand engine and needed to descend to flight level 260 and vectors to divert to the nearest suitable airport.
The controller cleared N47480 to descend to flight level 260 and turn right heading 240, then informed N47480 they were diverting to Orlando airport and requested N47480 to inform when reaching flight level 260.
EXAMINER: What are the procedures for an engine vibration?
In general the pilots must reduce the thrust and then follow the appropriate check list for an engine vibration.
EXAMINER: Now listen situation number 3.
PILOT: MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MIAMI CENTER, American 405, WE HAVE RAN OUT OF FUEL DUE TO A FUEL LEAK. WE ARE GOING TO DITCH THE AIRCRAFT AND WE REQUEST EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.
ATC: American 405, ROGER, CHANGE THE FREQUENCY TO 121,50. CONFIRM YOUR POSITION AND WE WILL SEND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.
EXAMINER: Now tell me in your own words everything the pilot and controller said.
The pilot of American 405 declared an emergency to Miami center, They had a fuel starvation due to a fuel leak and were going to perform a ditching and requested emergency assistance.
The controller told American 405 to change the frequency to 121.50 and confirm their position to send emergency assistance.
EXAMINER: What are the consequences of a fuel leak?
The consequences of a fuel leak can be very serious as in this situatuion the pilots may not have enough fuel to reach an airfield. A fuel leak can also cause flight divertions and serious delays.
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 de-icing procedure is not so serious as it’s a normal procedure.
The second situation the engine vibration is worse than the de-icing as it happens during the flight and it can cause loss of thrust in one engine and cause the flight to divert.
But I would consider the fuel starvation the worst situation as the consequences can cause the pilots to perform a forced landing resulting in a total loss of the aircraft and deaths.
EXAMINER: Thank you. That is the end of this part.