GPC - Glider Pilot Certificate Abnormal and Emergency Procedures Questions and Answers

Question 1

During a winch launch, the cable breaks when the glider is at an altitude of approximately 150 feet AGL with a steep nose-up attitude.
Which of the following actions is the most critical and must be performed FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Promptly and positively lower the nose to establish a safe flying speed.

Answer

Attempt a gentle 180-degree turn to land back at the launch point.

Answer

Transmit a radio call declaring the emergency.

Answer

Pull the cable release handle twice to ensure the remaining cable is jettisoned.

Question 2

A pilot recognizes that their glider is in a spiral dive, indicated by a steep bank, a low pitch attitude, and a rapidly increasing airspeed. Which sequence of actions is correct for recovery?

Accepted Answer

Close the spoilers, use coordinated aileron and rudder to level the wings, and then gently ease the control stick back to recover from the dive.

Answer

Apply full rudder opposite to the direction of the turn and move the stick forward.

Answer

Pull back hard on the control stick to bring the nose up to the horizon as quickly as possible.

Answer

Deploy full spoilers to create drag and slow the aircraft before taking any other action.

Question 3

A VFR-rated glider pilot inadvertently flies into a cloud and loses all outside visual references. To prevent a spiral dive and exit the instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), what is the most appropriate course of action?

Accepted Answer

Trust the instruments, make a gentle 180-degree turn, and maintain a constant airspeed, keeping control inputs smooth.

Answer

Pull back on the control stick to slow the aircraft down to near stall speed, minimizing control sensitivity.

Answer

Deploy full spoilers/airbrakes immediately to increase stability and descend out of the cloud.

Answer

Ignore the instruments and rely on the feeling of G-forces to keep the wings level.

Question 4

While on the final approach for landing, a pilot finds that the spoilers/airbrakes are jammed and will not extend. The glider is currently high on the ideal glide path. What is the recommended corrective action?

Accepted Answer

Initiate a forward slip to increase drag and steepen the descent path without a significant increase in airspeed.

Answer

Increase the pitch attitude to slow the glider down and reduce the glide ratio.

Answer

Perform a series of S-turns on the final approach to extend the flight path.

Answer

Maintain normal approach speed but plan for a much longer landing roll and potential overshoot.

Question 5

A pilot inadvertently enters a spin to the left. Which of the following describes the most widely accepted and correct recovery procedure for most gliders?

Accepted Answer

Apply full right rudder, neutralize ailerons, and move the control stick forward until rotation stops.

Answer

Apply full right aileron and pull the control stick back to increase the angle of attack.

Answer

Deploy full spoilers/airbrakes and apply full right rudder.

Answer

Neutralize all controls and wait for the glider to self-recover.

Question 6

During an off-field landing, the pilot establishes a "high key" position. What is the primary purpose of this specific point in the emergency landing pattern?

Accepted Answer

To act as a high-altitude reference point from which a shortened circuit can be reliably flown, ensuring the field is reachable.

Answer

To serve as the final go/no-go decision point for committing to the chosen field.

Answer

To signal to other aircraft the intention to land by flying directly over the center of the field.

Answer

To be the point where the pre-landing checklist is initiated for the first time.

During a winch launch, the cable breaks when the glider is at an altitude of approximately 150 feet AGL with a steep nose-up attitude.Which of the following actions is the most critical and must be performed FIRST?

During a winch launch, the cable breaks when the glider is at an altitude of approximately 150 feet AGL with a steep nose-up attitude.
Which of the following actions is the most critical and must be performed FIRST?