ADX Emergency Response Protocols 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a pilot declares a MAYDAY, what is the dispatcher's first priority action?
- Notify company maintenance immediately
- Acknowledge the distress call and confirm the aircraft's position (Correct answer)
- Contact the nearest alternate airport for landing clearance
- File an NTSB preliminary report
Correct answer: Acknowledge the distress call and confirm the aircraft's position
The dispatcher must first acknowledge the distress and confirm position to coordinate rescue and support effectively.
Question 2: A flight experiences rapid decompression at FL350. The dispatcher should expect the crew to descend to approximately what altitude?
- FL180
- 10,000 feet MSL (Correct answer)
- 14,000 feet MSL
- FL250
Correct answer: 10,000 feet MSL
FAA regulations require descent to 10,000 feet MSL (or MEA if higher) following decompression to ensure adequate oxygen without supplemental equipment.
Question 3: Which document must a dispatcher consult when an in-flight fire emergency requires an immediate unplanned landing at a foreign airport?
- Airport Facility Directory
- Operations Specifications (OpSpecs) (Correct answer)
- Aircraft Flight Manual only
- FAR Part 91
Correct answer: Operations Specifications (OpSpecs)
Operations Specifications govern where an air carrier may operate, including authorization for international alternates.
Question 4: An aircraft reports a bird strike that has disabled one engine on departure. The dispatcher's release for the flight was based on two-engine performance. What action is required?
- Amend the dispatch release to reflect single-engine operations
- The captain has full authority; no dispatcher action is needed
- Jointly evaluate the situation with the captain and recommend an appropriate course of action (Correct answer)
- Cancel the dispatch release and issue a new one for the return leg
Correct answer: Jointly evaluate the situation with the captain and recommend an appropriate course of action
Under the joint responsibility doctrine (FAR 121.533), dispatcher and captain must jointly assess changed conditions and agree on a safe course of action.
Question 5: When ATC issues a transponder code of 7700, the dispatcher monitoring the flight should first:
- Immediately notify the FAA operations center
- Attempt to contact the crew on all available frequencies to assess the situation (Correct answer)
- Declare an emergency on behalf of the flight to ATC
- Initiate the airline's emergency response checklist without contacting the crew
Correct answer: Attempt to contact the crew on all available frequencies to assess the situation
The dispatcher should attempt to reach the crew to understand the nature of the emergency before escalating notifications.
Question 6: Under FAR Part 121, which party has the authority to delay a flight due to a safety-of-flight emergency concern identified after departure?
- The airline's operations manager only
- Either the pilot-in-command or the aircraft dispatcher, acting jointly (Correct answer)
- The FAA Flight Standards District Office
- The airline's chief pilot only
Correct answer: Either the pilot-in-command or the aircraft dispatcher, acting jointly
FAR 121.533 grants joint authority over safety-of-flight decisions to both the PIC and dispatcher throughout the flight.
Question 7: A dispatcher learns that volcanic ash has been reported along a flight's planned route mid-flight. What is the correct sequence of actions?
- File a PIREP, then wait for the crew to request rerouting
- Contact the crew immediately, provide SIGMET information, and jointly determine a reroute (Correct answer)
- Issue a new dispatch release and forward it to ATC without contacting the crew
- Notify only the company meteorologist and let the captain decide independently
Correct answer: Contact the crew immediately, provide SIGMET information, and jointly determine a reroute
The dispatcher must immediately relay hazardous meteorological information to the crew and jointly coordinate a safe reroute per FAR 121.601.
ADX Emergency Response Protocols 2
When a pilot declares a MAYDAY, what is the dispatcher's first priority action?