Area IX — Emergency Operations
Cessna 152 Emergency Operations — PPL Oral Exam Questions Engine failures, fires, system malfunctions, lost comms, and emergency descent procedures the DPE will scenario. Below are real DPE-style questions for the Cessna 152 . Every answer cites a primary FAA source — no fabricated regulations, no shortcuts.
24 questions POH Section 3 AFH Chapter 18 AFH Chapter 17
DPE oral questions · emergency operations
24 questions a DPE may ask in this section Question 1 · PA.IX.A.K1
Explain the immediate actions for an engine failure after takeoff. What a DPE expects to hear
Do NOT attempt to return to the runway if insufficient altitude (below approximately 500-700 feet AGL depending on aircraft and situation) Best glide speed — pitch for it immediately Land straight ahead or slight turn — within 30-45 degrees Run checklist only if time permits: fuel selector, mixture rich, mags to both, carb heat if applicable, primer in and locked If time permits: declare emergency, squawk 7700 Land in best available area — flaps as needed for field approach Source AFH FAA-H-8083-3C Chapter 17; Aircraft POH Section 3 (Emergency Procedures)
Question 2 · PA.IX.B.K1
What would you do in the event of an engine fire in flight? What a DPE expects to hear
Mixture: cut off (ICO) Fuel selector: OFF Throttle: closed Master switch: OFF (electrical systems off — starve fire of ignition source) Cabin heat/air: closed (prevent smoke entry) Best glide speed Land as soon as possible Refer to aircraft POH for specific checklist Source Aircraft POH Section 3 (Emergency Procedures)
Question 3 · PA.IX.C.K1
What are the steps for VFR flight into IMC — you've accidentally entered clouds? What a DPE expects to hear
Immediate 180-degree turn — maintain level flight or gentle bank using attitude indicator Do NOT continue into IMC Contact ATC — declare emergency if necessary Request vectors to VFR conditions or nearest airport Trust instruments — do not chase the 'feel' of the airplane The longer you stay in IMC, the more likely spatial disorientation becomes incapacitating Source AFH FAA-H-8083-3C; PHAK Chapter 17
Question 4 · PA.IX.E.K1
What would you do if you experienced a loss of oil pressure? What a DPE expects to hear
Oil pressure is engine life — act immediately Low oil pressure: reduce power, land at nearest suitable airport as soon as possible Zero oil pressure: expect imminent engine failure — prepare for forced landing Note: some low-oil-pressure indications are gauge failure, not actual pressure loss — check oil temp (if rising too, it's real) Do not delay — engine seizure can occur in minutes Source Aircraft POH Section 3; PHAK
Question 5 · PA.IX.F.K1
What equipment is required by regulation for VFR night flight? What a DPE expects to hear
All required day VFR equipment PLUS: Approved position lights (anti-collision lights): red left, green right, white tail Anti-collision light (rotating beacon or strobe) Adequate source of electricity (alternator/battery) Spare fuses if installed Aviation white lights are NOT required by regulation but highly recommended (pilot should carry a flashlight) Source 14 CFR 91.205(c)
Question 6 · PA.IX
Cockpit fills with smoke. There is a huge lake to the right and a small narrow pond straight ahead. Which do you pick? What a DPE expects to hear
Best chance of safe stop — consider survivability not just size Large lake = easier to hit but aircraft sinks Smaller site near road/help may be better depending on circumstances No single right answer — evaluate tradeoffs Source AFH Chapter 18; ACS Task IX.B
Question 7 · PA.IX
The engine starts running rough enroute. What are your first three actions? What a DPE expects to hear
1) Adjust Mixture (rich or lean) 2) Apply Carb Heat (check for icing) 3) Check Magnetos (one may have failed) Source POH Section 3; ACS Task IX.C
Question 8 · PA.IX
Engine fails at 300 feet AGL just after takeoff. Why shouldn't you try to turn back to the runway? What a DPE expects to hear
Altitude and airspeed rarely sufficient for 180-degree gliding turn Attempting it often leads to stall/spin Land straight ahead or slightly to either side Source AFH Chapter 18; POH Section 3
Question 9 · PA.IX
We've just rotated and we're at 300 feet AGL when the engine goes quiet. What is your very first move? What a DPE expects to hear
Lower nose immediately to maintain airspeed and establish glide attitude Land straight ahead with only small changes in direction Altitude and airspeed rarely sufficient for 180° turn back Source AFH Chapter 18; POH Section 3
Question 10 · PA.IX
We're halfway down the runway on takeoff roll. Airspeed indicator is still at zero. What do you do? What a DPE expects to hear
Abort the takeoff immediately — retard throttle to idle, apply heavy braking Source ACS Task IX.C; POH Section 3
Question 11 · PA.IX
Cruising at 4,500 feet, engine stops completely. Walk me through trying to get it restarted. What a DPE expects to hear
Establish best glide speed FIRST Restart check: Fuel shutoff ON, Fuel selector BOTH, Mixture RICH, Aux fuel pump ON, Ignition BOTH or START Source POH Section 3; ACS Task IX.B
Question 12 · PA.IX
Engine is dead. Dense forest to the left, small narrow pond to the right. Where are you landing and why? What a DPE expects to hear
Best chance of safe stop — evaluate survivability not just size Large lake = easier to hit but aircraft sinks Consider proximity to help and stopping distance Source AFH Chapter 18; ACS Task IX.B
Question 13 · PA.IX
Ten miles from airport, oil pressure in the red and oil temp rising rapidly. Can we make it? What a DPE expects to hear
No — total oil pressure loss with rising temp = engine failure imminent Reduce power immediately, select nearest suitable field, don't stretch it Source POH Section 3; ACS Task IX.C
Question 14 · PA.IX
You see flames and black smoke from the cowling edges. First three memory items? What a DPE expects to hear
1) Mixture — idle cut-off 2) Fuel shutoff valve — OFF 3) Master switch — OFF ORDER IS AIRCRAFT-SPECIFIC — always follow your POH emergency checklist Source POH Section 3; ACS Task IX.C
Question 15 · PA.IX
You smell burning insulation and see smoke from the radio stack. Immediate action? What a DPE expects to hear
Master switch OFF Keep all other switches (except ignition) OFF Close vents and cabin heat to deprive fire of oxygen Source POH Section 3; ACS Task IX.C
Question 16 · PA.IX
VOLTS light just illuminated and ammeter shows discharge. We're 30 minutes from home. What's your plan? What a DPE expects to hear
Check ALT circuit breaker first, then attempt reset per POH procedure Try to reset by recycling Master switch If doesn't reset: Alternator OFF, pull all non-essential equipment, conserve battery for landing (flaps, landing light) Source POH Section 3; ACS Task IX.C
Question 17 · PA.IX
We're flying at night and the whole cockpit goes pitch black. How do you get us down safely? What a DPE expects to hear
Use flashlight for cockpit illumination Use handheld radio if available or look for light gun signals at towered airport Fly approach slightly higher — electric flaps may be inoperative Source ACS Task IX.C; POH Section 3
Question 18 · PA.IX
We just flew into a thick cloud. Suction gauge is zero and AI is tilted 45°. How do you keep wings level? What a DPE expects to hear
Partial panel — rely on Turn Coordinator (electrically powered) for wings level Use altimeter and VSI to maintain altitude Source POH Section 3; ACS Task VIII.E
Question 19 · PA.IX
In light rain, ice starting to bridge the leading edge gap. We're not rated for this. What's the escape plan? What a DPE expects to hear
Pitot heat ON immediately Change altitude or turn back to find warmer air or leave visible moisture Land at nearest airport, potentially with flaps retracted to avoid tailplane stall Flap restriction in icing is aircraft-specific — verify in your POH Source POH Section 3; ACS Task IX.C
Question 20 · PA.IX
You pull back and the nose doesn't move — elevator cable snapped. How do you control pitch to land? What a DPE expects to hear
Use throttle and elevator trim to control pitch Establish glide using power adjustments Use trim to set landing attitude — full nose-up at flare Source POH Section 3; ACS Task IX.C
Question 21 · PA.IX
Immediately after takeoff the passenger door pops open. What is your priority? What a DPE expects to hear
FLY THE AIRPLANE An open door does not affect aircraft's ability to fly Do not rush to close it Trim the airplane, fly normal pattern, land to secure it Source POH Section 3/7
Question 22 · PA.IX
We're in the flare about to touch down when a vehicle pulls onto the runway. Is it too late to go around? What a DPE expects to hear
NO — go-around can be initiated at any point until landing roll is established Apply full power, transition to climb attitude, retract flaps to intermediate setting (usually 20°) Source ACS Task IV.N; POH Section 4
Question 23 · PA.IX
You suspect the right main tire is flat. What is your plan for approach and touchdown? What a DPE expects to hear
Fly normal approach, land on the GOOD tire first Use aileron to hold flat tire off ground as long as possible Use brake on good wheel for directional control Source POH Section 3; ACS Task IX.C
Question 24 · PA.IX
Engine fails over a dark rural area at night. Where are you aiming and why? What a DPE expects to hear
Maintain control and glide toward lit area (road or town) if possible to see obstacles — be careful of power lines If no lit area, aim for flat-appearing dark area but prepare for unknown terrain Source AFH Chapter 18; ACS Task IX.B
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