Emergencies and Abnormal Events

Question 1

Things to make sure you know about an aircraft which is in an emergency. (9 things)

Answer 1

Aircraft ID.
Aircraft type.
Nature of emergency.
Intentions of the flight crew.
Aircraft position.
Aircraft level.
Number of persons on board.
Amount of fuel remaining.
Presence of hazardous materials.

Question 2

Definition of a strayed aircraft.

Answer 2

An aircraft which has deviated significantly from its intended track, or which reports that it is lost.

Question 3

Definition of an unidentified aircraft.

Answer 3

Any aircraft which has been observed or reported to be operating in a given area, but whose identity has not been established.

Question 4

Steps to follow if you get an unidentified aircraft. (5 steps)

Answer 4

Try to establish 2 way comms.
Ask other ATS units in the FIR if they know anything.
Ask the adjacent FIRs if they know anything.
Ask other aircraft in the area if they can see anything.
Contact the military or other relevant authority.

Question 5

What should you advise a strayed VFR flight to do if comms are weak or distorted?

Answer 5

Climb to a higher flight level, provided met conditions are suitable.

Question 6

What information needs to be obtained from a strayed VFR flight? (10 things)

Answer 6

Aircraft flight conditions (IMC or VMC).
Position if known, and level.
Airspeed and heading since last known position.
Pilot experience.
Navigation equipment carried and if any nav aids can be read currently.
SSR mode and squawk, if selected.
ADS-B capability.
Departure and destination aerodromes.
Number of persons on board.
Endurance.

Question 7

When providing navigational assistance to a strayed VFR flight, what caveats must be considered.

Answer 7

Do not route him into a cloud.

You must agree on the type of assistance beforehand (e.g. radar vectoring).

Question 8

What to do in the event of a ground radio equipment failure. (5 things)

Answer 8

If aircraft are required to keep a listening watch on 121.5, use that.
Tell all adjacent ATC units that your comms have failed.
Describe your traffic situation to adjacent units.
Request their assistance, if practical, in ensuring separation.
Hold or re-route all flights to your airspace.

Question 9

How to contact an aircraft which is blocking your frequency. (5 ways)

Answer 9

121.5.
SELCAL
Company frequency.
Air-to-air comms frequency.
Send somebody to shout at it if it is on the ground.

Question 10

What will a VFR flight do if it loses all comms? (4 things)

Answer 10

Squawk 7600.
Continue the flight in VMC.
Land at the nearest suitable aerodrome.
Report the arrival time at that aerodrome as quickly as possible to the nearest ATC unit.

Question 11

What will an IFR flight do if it loses all comms?

Answer 11

Squawk 7600.

Maintain last assigned speed and level, or minimum IFR cruising level, for 7 minutes, from the latest of the time the most recently assigned level or minimum flight altitude was reached, or the time the transponder is set to 7600, or the time at which the aircraft fails to report its position at a mandatory reporting point.

After this 7 minutes, proceed in the most direct possible manner to rejoin the planned flight route. Fly to the planned initial approach fix.

Hold over the initial approach fix until the most recent ETA, and then attempt a landing.

If landing is not possible, proceed to your planned alternate aerodrome.