SPC Preflight and Emergency Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which color designates aviation gasoline (AVGAS) 100LL on aircraft fuel caps and placards?
- Red
- Green
- Blue (Correct answer)
- Purple
Correct answer: Blue
100LL AVGAS is dyed blue to allow easy identification and prevent misfueling with other fuel types.
Question 2: If the flight controls feel stiff or restricted during preflight control checks, what should the pilot do?
- Apply more force to free the controls
- Check that control locks have been removed and inspect for obstructions (Correct answer)
- Reduce control movement range during flight
- Note it in the logbook and proceed with caution
Correct answer: Check that control locks have been removed and inspect for obstructions
Restricted controls may indicate gust locks were not removed or a foreign object is in the control system — both require resolution before flight.
Question 3: A pilot notices heavy smoke in the cockpit unrelated to an engine fire. What is the immediate action?
- Declare an emergency, don oxygen if available, and land as soon as possible (Correct answer)
- Open all vents to clear smoke and continue to destination
- Turn off the master switch and glide to the nearest airport
- Reduce power and climb above the smoke layer
Correct answer: Declare an emergency, don oxygen if available, and land as soon as possible
Cockpit smoke indicates a potential electrical or cabin fire requiring immediate landing and emergency declaration.
Question 4: During preflight, which condition would require the pilot to REJECT a flight?
- Tires slightly below maximum pressure
- A navigation light bulb that is burned out for a daytime VFR flight
- A loose fuel cap that cannot be secured properly (Correct answer)
- An inoperative outside air temperature gauge
Correct answer: A loose fuel cap that cannot be secured properly
A fuel cap that cannot be secured poses risk of fuel siphoning and possible fuel starvation in flight.
Question 5: What emergency squawk code should a pilot set when experiencing radio failure during flight?
- 7500
- 7600 (Correct answer)
- 7700
- 7000
Correct answer: 7600
Squawk 7600 is the international code for radio failure (NORDO), alerting ATC to the communication issue.
Question 6: Before engine start, why should the pilot visually check that the propeller area is clear?
- To prevent prop wash from disturbing nearby aircraft
- To avoid injury or death to people near the rotating propeller (Correct answer)
- To verify the aircraft is properly chocked
- To check for loose gravel that could cause propeller damage
Correct answer: To avoid injury or death to people near the rotating propeller
A rotating propeller is nearly invisible and can cause fatal injury — verifying the area is clear is a critical safety step.
Question 7: If a pilot inadvertently flies into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), what is the recommended action for a VFR-only pilot?
- Continue straight and level until the clouds clear
- Execute a 180-degree turn and return to VFR conditions (Correct answer)
- Climb above the cloud layer immediately
- Descend below the clouds using the altimeter only
Correct answer: Execute a 180-degree turn and return to VFR conditions
A 180-degree turn is recommended to exit IMC and return to VFR conditions as quickly as possible.
SPC Preflight and Emergency Procedures 3
Which color designates aviation gasoline (AVGAS) 100LL on aircraft fuel caps and placards?