CPC Flight Planning & Fuel Management Concepts 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a pilot declares 'minimum fuel,' what obligation does this create for ATC?
- Immediately divert the aircraft to the nearest airport
- Declare an emergency on behalf of the aircraft
- Acknowledge and ensure the aircraft is not subjected to undue delay (Correct answer)
- Issue priority handling identical to an emergency
Correct answer: Acknowledge and ensure the aircraft is not subjected to undue delay
A minimum fuel declaration is advisory, informing ATC that any undue delay may cause an emergency; controllers must acknowledge and avoid adding delay.
Question 2: A pilot declares 'Mayday, Mayday, Mayday — fuel emergency.' How does this differ from a minimum fuel advisory in terms of ATC response?
- No difference — both receive the same priority
- A Mayday fuel emergency triggers emergency handling, crash/fire/rescue notification, and priority clearance (Correct answer)
- The Mayday only applies when below 1,000 lb of fuel
- Only the destination airport is notified
Correct answer: A Mayday fuel emergency triggers emergency handling, crash/fire/rescue notification, and priority clearance
A declared fuel emergency (Mayday) requires ATC to provide immediate priority, notify crash/fire/rescue services, and coordinate priority handling with all facilities involved.
Question 3: What does 'EDTO' (Extended Diversion Time Operations) relate to in IFR flight planning?
- Extended range operations for twin-engine aircraft over remote areas requiring diversion planning (Correct answer)
- Emergency descent to oceanic alternate
- Extended fuel reserves for polar routes
- Equipment redundancy for oceanic track systems
Correct answer: Extended range operations for twin-engine aircraft over remote areas requiring diversion planning
EDTO governs twin-engine aircraft operations on routes where diversion to an alternate may take longer than 60 minutes, requiring specific fuel, equipment, and planning standards.
Question 4: In IFR flight planning, what is the significance of the MEA (Minimum Enroute Altitude)?
- It guarantees terrain clearance and navigational signal reception along the entire route segment (Correct answer)
- It is the lowest safe altitude only for visual conditions
- It guarantees ATC radar contact only
- It applies only to RNAV routes
Correct answer: It guarantees terrain clearance and navigational signal reception along the entire route segment
The MEA assures obstacle clearance (1,000 ft in non-mountainous areas, 2,000 ft mountainous) and acceptable navigational signal coverage along the entire airway segment.
Question 5: What is an OROCA (Off-Route Obstruction Clearance Altitude) and when might a controller reference it?
- An altitude that guarantees communication coverage off-airways
- An altitude providing 1,000/2,000 ft obstacle clearance in a grid square but no signal guarantee (Correct answer)
- The minimum altitude for radar vectoring only
- An altitude used only during LOC approaches
Correct answer: An altitude providing 1,000/2,000 ft obstacle clearance in a grid square but no signal guarantee
OROCA provides 1,000 ft (2,000 ft in mountainous areas) obstacle clearance within the grid square but does not guarantee navigation signal coverage, used for off-airway operations.
Question 6: When may a controller clear an IFR aircraft below the MEA?
- Never under any circumstances
- Only if the pilot requests and accepts responsibility
- When radar contact is maintained and the controller applies the MOCA or MVA as appropriate (Correct answer)
- Only above FL180 where terrain is not a factor
Correct answer: When radar contact is maintained and the controller applies the MOCA or MVA as appropriate
Controllers may clear aircraft below the MEA down to the MOCA (which ensures obstacle clearance but not signal coverage) when radar contact is maintained and the MVA provides obstacle clearance.
CPC Flight Planning & Fuel Management Concepts 2
When a pilot declares 'minimum fuel,' what obligation does this create for ATC?