AirlinePilotPrep

AIRLINE PILOT PREP

Study-guide preview

Public question bank derived from approved gouges.

Answer

Maintain sterile cockpit and do not answer non-emergency cabin calls on final. If windshear is reported and storms are over LAX, go around or avoid continuing into unsafe conditions. The captain should positively transfer controls to the FO if they need to manage the problem, then coordinate with ATC, dispatch, and the FA. With many clear airports nearby, decide early and divert, such as Ontario, before fuel and workload deteriorate. Declare minimum fuel if appropriate and make the captain decision clearly.

Retrospective

Key feedback: sterile cockpit discipline, positive transfer of controls, earlier diversion decision, and assertive captain leadership.

Answer

Use all three roles. Assign the jumpseater to cabin/company coordination if appropriate so CA and FO can focus on flying, ATC, fuel, and decision-making. Declare the medical emergency, assess alternates such as KSNA/KBUR/ONT against runway, terrain, weather, fuel, and medical/security support, and avoid hoping LAX works if arrivals are going missed for windshear. Keep talking, delegate, and reach a plan before fuel is critical.

Retrospective

Debrief emphasized everyone talking, interacting, delegating, and CRM-ing rather than a single perfect answer.

Answer

Fly the go-around first, then immediately assign tasks. Ask ATC for runway/EFC information, evaluate fuel and alternates, and notify dispatch. When the FA reports a passenger slumped over, declare medical emergency if warranted and ask for medical help onboard. If ORD is saturated, alternate covered by storms, MDW busy, and other airports at fuel edge, state fuel status clearly and choose the safest reachable airport with medical support. Keep FA/passengers informed.

Retrospective

This is a classic seven-minute group CRM cascade: weather, runway closure, medical, fuel, and busy alternates.

Answer

Declare a medical emergency and coordinate with FAs, ATC, and dispatch for EMS. Do not ignore a hail report on the runway/approach path. Ask for more information, runway alternatives, vectors, and weather. If another runway or brief delay provides safer access without materially delaying medical care, use it; otherwise divert to a suitable nearby airport. Keep the crew aligned and ready to explain what could have been done differently.

Retrospective

Scenario timed out after hail report; evaluation was on immediate prioritization and communication.

Answer

Keep one pilot flying and stabilize after the go-around. Treat the cabin injury as a medical/cabin safety issue, get FA details, and require passengers seated. With a storm moving toward LAX, an airport emergency on the ground, and one hour of fuel, evaluate the three nearby alternates immediately. Coordinate ATC and dispatch, choose the safest suitable divert, and make a clear PA when workload permits.

Retrospective

Reported decision was diverting to Santa Barbara after the go-around; lesson was to make a timely plan under distractions.

Answer

Start looking for diverts immediately because there is no extra fuel beyond required reserve. When the FA reports a sick passenger, declare medical emergency if appropriate and ask ATC whether priority straight-in is available. Coordinate with dispatch, ATC, and FAs, but if weather drops below minimums, do not continue illegally. Choose the safest reachable airport before fuel options disappear.

Retrospective

FO report emphasized good radio work, communication, and moving toward a good outcome before the timer expired.

Answer

Do not open the cockpit door or send the jumpseater/cockpit crewmember back while cleared for takeoff. Reject or cancel takeoff plans as needed, coordinate with tower, and return to gate or maintenance if the smell could be fumes, smoke, sanitation, or safety-related. Have FAs assess and report from the cabin. Keep the flight deck secure and use maintenance/dispatch.

Retrospective

Specific learning point: offering for the jumpseater to go back was a big mistake. Never open cockpit door for this.

Answer

Fly each windshear escape/go-around first, then reassess fuel, weather, alternates, and runway options. When a seizure is reported, coordinate with FAs and onboard medical help, declare medical emergency if needed, and request EMS. Decide whether to continue attempting ORD or divert to the safest suitable airport with medical support. Communicate the plan to ATC, dispatch, FAs, and passengers.

Retrospective

No single right answer; expected behavior is CRM, decisive plan, and use of resources.

Answer

Assign roles and keep communicating. Gather passenger medical status, monitor storm movement and fuel, and coordinate with ATC/dispatch. If LAX becomes unavailable due a disabled aircraft and weather is worsening, divert early to a suitable nearby airport such as Ontario. Brief FAs/passengers and request medical support if needed.

Retrospective

Seven minutes passed quickly; debrief focused on teamwork and communications.

Answer

Use the published power/profile numbers and keep speeds controlled; do not fly too fast in the Frasca. Depart LAX heading 240 to 2000, handle level-offs and vectors, then set up the ILS 24R carefully. If unstable inside the marker or parameters become dicey, execute the missed approach rather than forcing the landing. Be ready for holding as published, alternate holds, navaid switching for the MAP/hold, and a self-critique afterward.

Retrospective

Simulator advice: pitch is very sensitive, throttle back, and a missed approach is acceptable when unstable.

Answer

Set up avionics and brief ILS 6 before departure. Ask for weather/clearance, confirm no takeoff alternate/nonstandard-minimum issue, and call for checklists. Depart runway heading to 4000, switch departure through 800, climb to 3000 direct Yardley VOR, identify the hold entry, and when cleared follow the feeder route. Over the OM, fly the hold in lieu of procedure turn, descend as published, configure in increments, gear down before landing checklist, and land if visual above minimums.

Retrospective

Specific sim profile: evaluator does checklists if asked and may prompt if gear is missed.

Answer

Maintain altitude precisely in the touchy Frasca, but also keep terrain awareness near Burbank. After runway 8 departure, climb/turn as assigned, track VOR/DME, recognize mountains, and identify hold entries. If radar contact is lost before the approach, cross the VOR and fly the full procedure/hold in lieu of procedure turn to line up with the localizer. Follow published altitudes and land when stable and legal.

Retrospective

Evaluator was looking for mountain awareness, hold entries, full procedure after lost radar, and accurate localizer/glideslope tracking.