ATPL Human Performance and Limitations 3

Question 1

'Get-there-itis' (plan continuation bias) is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

The unconscious tendency to continue a plan despite new information indicating it should be abandoned

Answer

Plan continuation bias (get-there-itis) is the cognitive tendency to continue with an original plan even when changing circumstances make it unsafe, driven by commitment to the initial goal.

Question 2

Effective crew communication during abnormal procedures requires what primary technique?

Accepted Answer

Using closed-loop communication with readbacks and hearbacks

Answer

Closed-loop communication — where the sender verifies the receiver understood correctly through readback or confirmation — is the standard technique to ensure accurate information transfer in high-stress environments.

Question 3

Which model best describes a pilot's decision-making under time pressure?

Accepted Answer

DECIDE model (Detect, Estimate, Choose, Identify, Do, Evaluate)

Answer

The FAA's DECIDE model provides a structured framework for aeronautical decision-making: Detect, Estimate, Choose a course of action, Identify, Do, and Evaluate the outcome.

Question 4

Incapacitation of a pilot in a multi-crew cockpit is best handled by:

Accepted Answer

Immediately taking control, declaring an emergency, and requesting priority handling

Answer

The standard response is for the remaining pilot to immediately assume control, declare an emergency with ATC, and request priority handling to land as soon as safely possible.

Question 5

The 'Swiss Cheese Model' of accident causation (Reason's model) illustrates that accidents occur when:

Accepted Answer

Holes in multiple defensive layers align simultaneously

Answer

James Reason's Swiss Cheese Model shows that accidents require the simultaneous alignment of failures (holes) across multiple defensive barriers — latent and active failures must align for an accident to reach the end-state.

ATPL - Airline Transport Pilot License Practice Test

ATPL - Airline Transport Pilot License Practice Test

ATPL Human Performance and Limitations 3