PSTAR Emergency Procedures and Regulations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under FAR 91.3, what authority does a pilot in command have during an emergency?
- None — must follow ATC instructions at all times
- May deviate from any FAR to the extent necessary to meet the emergency (Correct answer)
- May deviate from ATC instructions only
- May deviate only from airspace rules
Correct answer: May deviate from any FAR to the extent necessary to meet the emergency
FAR 91.3 grants the PIC authority to deviate from any regulation to the extent necessary to handle an emergency, with a duty to report the deviation if requested.
Question 2: What is the first priority during an inflight emergency?
- Declare emergency on radio
- Squawk 7700
- Aviate, Navigate, Communicate — fly the aircraft first (Correct answer)
- Complete emergency checklist
Correct answer: Aviate, Navigate, Communicate — fly the aircraft first
Aviate, Navigate, Communicate is the priority order — maintaining aircraft control always comes before navigation or radio work.
Question 3: What is the recommended procedure for an engine failure immediately after takeoff?
- Attempt to turn back to the runway at any altitude
- Land straight ahead or with minimal turns within the available field (Correct answer)
- Climb to 1,000 feet then turn back
- Apply full power and climb steeply
Correct answer: Land straight ahead or with minimal turns within the available field
Engine failure after takeoff is best handled by landing straight ahead or with shallow turns — attempting to return to the runway at low altitude is typically fatal.
Question 4: If a pilot receives a light gun steady red signal while on final approach, what should the pilot do?
- Proceed with the landing normally
- Execute a go-around and continue circling (Correct answer)
- Give way to other aircraft and continue circling
- Land immediately — it's an emergency clearance
Correct answer: Execute a go-around and continue circling
A steady red light to an aircraft in flight means the airport is unsafe — the pilot should not land and must go around.
Question 5: What action should a pilot take if experiencing radio failure in VFR conditions?
- Land at the nearest airport immediately
- Squawk 7500, continue to destination
- Squawk 7600, continue under VFR, and land at the destination (Correct answer)
- Climb to 18,000 feet and await ATC contact
Correct answer: Squawk 7600, continue under VFR, and land at the destination
With radio failure in VFR conditions, squawk 7600 and continue the VFR flight — land at the destination and notify ATC by other means.
Question 6: What is the recommended memory item for an electrical fire in flight?
- Open all windows, maintain altitude
- Master switch OFF, all avionics OFF, land as soon as practical (Correct answer)
- Climb to 10,000 feet for cooler air, use fire extinguisher
- Declare emergency, request vectors to nearest airport only
Correct answer: Master switch OFF, all avionics OFF, land as soon as practical
For an electrical fire, the primary action is to remove the power source by turning off the master switch and all avionics, then land as soon as practical.
PSTAR Emergency Procedures and Regulations 1
Under FAR 91.3, what authority does a pilot in command have during an emergency?