Cessna 172S G1000 Emergency Operations — PPL Oral Exam Questions

DPE oral questions · emergency operations

24 questions a DPE may ask in this section

1. 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

   SourceAFH FAA-H-8083-3C Chapter 17; Aircraft POH Section 3 (Emergency Procedures)

2. 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

   SourceAircraft POH Section 3 (Emergency Procedures)

3. 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

   SourceAFH FAA-H-8083-3C; PHAK Chapter 17

4. 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

   SourceAircraft POH Section 3; PHAK

5. 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)

   Source14 CFR 91.205(c)

6. 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

   SourceAFH Chapter 18; ACS Task IX.B

7. 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)

   SourcePOH Section 3; ACS Task IX.C

8. 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

   SourceAFH Chapter 18; POH Section 3

9. 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

   SourceAFH Chapter 18; POH Section 3

10. 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

    SourceACS Task IX.C; POH Section 3

11. 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

    SourcePOH Section 3; ACS Task IX.B

12. 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

    SourceAFH Chapter 18; ACS Task IX.B

13. 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

    SourcePOH Section 3; ACS Task IX.C

14. 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

    SourcePOH Section 3; ACS Task IX.C

15. 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

    SourcePOH Section 3; ACS Task IX.C

16. 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)

    SourcePOH Section 3; ACS Task IX.C

17. 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

    SourceACS Task IX.C; POH Section 3

18. 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

    SourcePOH Section 3; ACS Task VIII.E

19. 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

    SourcePOH Section 3; ACS Task IX.C

20. 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

    SourcePOH Section 3; ACS Task IX.C

21. 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

    SourcePOH Section 3/7

22. 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°)

    SourceACS Task IV.N; POH Section 4

23. 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

    SourcePOH Section 3; ACS Task IX.C

24. 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

    SourceAFH Chapter 18; ACS Task IX.B