DADE DADE Emergency Procedures & Abnormal Operations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct dispatcher response when a flight reports total electrical failure in flight?
- Assume the flight will land normally and take no action
- Coordinate with ATC for visual approach assistance, alert airport emergency services, and prepare for a possible communications-out aircraft arrival (Correct answer)
- Cancel all other flights from the operations center
- Request another aircraft to shadow the affected flight
Correct answer: Coordinate with ATC for visual approach assistance, alert airport emergency services, and prepare for a possible communications-out aircraft arrival
Total electrical failure eliminates all radio communication, so the dispatcher must coordinate with ATC for a visual approach, alert airport emergency services, and prepare for a NORDO aircraft arrival.
Question 2: Under what circumstances may a Part 121 PIC deviate from any rule in 14 CFR Part 121?
- Never — Part 121 rules cannot be deviated from under any circumstances
- Only with prior written FAA approval
- In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action for safety (Correct answer)
- When the dispatcher authorizes the deviation
Correct answer: In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action for safety
A PIC may deviate from Part 121 rules only to the extent necessary to meet an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action for the safety of the aircraft and occupants.
Question 3: What is a 'sterile cockpit' requirement, and how does it affect dispatcher-pilot communications?
- Requires a UV-sanitized flight deck before each flight
- Prohibits non-essential communications and activities below 10,000 feet AGL — dispatchers must avoid non-safety communications during critical phases (Correct answer)
- Restricts all communications to VHF radio only
- Requires dispatchers to use encrypted communications only
Correct answer: Prohibits non-essential communications and activities below 10,000 feet AGL — dispatchers must avoid non-safety communications during critical phases
The sterile cockpit rule prohibits non-essential activities during critical flight phases (taxi, takeoff, landing, below 10,000 feet), so dispatchers must limit communications to safety-critical information only during these phases.
Question 4: When an aircraft is overdue and communication has been lost, what organization should the dispatcher contact first?
- The destination airport's tower only
- The FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) and initiate the carrier's missing aircraft procedures (Correct answer)
- The TSA security operations center
- Passenger family notification services only
Correct answer: The FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) and initiate the carrier's missing aircraft procedures
When an aircraft is overdue and communication is lost, the dispatcher contacts the ATCSCC and initiates the carrier's established missing aircraft procedures.
Question 5: What does 'decompression emergency' require from the dispatcher's perspective?
- No action until the pilot requests assistance
- Coordinate ATC priority handling for emergency descent, alert appropriate airports, and support the crew with MEL information on pressurization systems (Correct answer)
- Log the event for post-flight review only
- Initiate immediate aircraft grounding procedures
Correct answer: Coordinate ATC priority handling for emergency descent, alert appropriate airports, and support the crew with MEL information on pressurization systems
A decompression emergency requires dispatcher coordination with ATC for priority emergency descent clearance, alerting appropriate airports, and supporting the crew with relevant aircraft system information.
Question 6: Following any aircraft accident or serious incident, what must the dispatcher do regarding their records?
- Destroy all records to protect company liability
- Preserve all dispatch records, communications logs, and flight plans related to the flight pending investigation (Correct answer)
- Immediately file a report with the local police
- Return all records to the filing system for normal processing
Correct answer: Preserve all dispatch records, communications logs, and flight plans related to the flight pending investigation
All dispatch records, communications, weather documents, and flight plans related to an accident or serious incident must be preserved and protected for investigation purposes.
DADE DADE Emergency Procedures & Abnormal Operations 2
What is the correct dispatcher response when a flight reports total electrical failure in flight?