SDEA TRAINING • PART 3
Unexpected Situations – Test 04
Practice Unexpected Situations – Test 04 through three operational scenarios. Listen carefully, report what you heard, answer the examiner’s questions, and compare the three situations at the end.
04
TEST
3
SITUATIONS
✓
FINAL COMPARISON
TEST STRUCTURE
Complete the three situations step by step
This test contains three different operational situations. Listen carefully to each pilot–ATC communication, report what you heard, answer the examiner’s question, and complete the final comparison after the three situations.
01
Listen and report
Listen carefully to the pilot–ATC communication and report everything you heard, including the relevant operational details.
02
Answer the question
Listen to the examiner’s question and provide a clear, organized and well-supported response
03
Complete the final comparison
After listening to all three situations, compare them in terms of severity, possible solutions and ways of prevention.
TEST 04
Complete the three situations
Part 3 Instructions
Listen carefully to the examiner's instructions before starting the three unexpected situations.
Part Three: “Unexpected Situations”. In this part of the test, you will listen to three different communications between pilots and air traffic controllers.
The recordings will be played twice. There is a five-second pause before the recording is repeated. After listening to the recording, you should tell me everything that the pilot and the controller said. I will then ask you a question.
At the end of Part Three, I will ask you to compare the three situations, so please take notes. All information is important. Do you have any questions?
Situation 1
Listen carefully to the communication, report what you heard, and then answer the examiner's question.
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, London Approach, Easyjet 2341. We have [fire in the hold], [we are descending to flight level one two zero]. [Request emergency landing] at Heathrow. [We have sixteen and a half tons of fuel on board].
Easyjet 341, London Approach, roger. [Descend (at your discretion) to flight level one two zero], [report reaching]. [Firefighters will be called upon]. When able, [report persons on board].
According to the exchange, the pilot reported a fire in the hold and said they were descending to Flight Level 120. He requested (asked for) an emergency landing at Heathrow and informed ATC that they had sixteen and a half tons of fuel on board.
Then, the controller instructed the crew to descend at their discretion to Flight Level 120 and report reaching it. He also said that firefighters would be called and asked the crew to report the number of persons on board when able.
According to the communication, the pilot let London Approach know (informed London Approach) that a fire had broken out (started) in the hold and that they were coming down to (descending to) Flight Level 120. He asked for (requested) an emergency landing at Heathrow and passed on (provided) that they had sixteen and a half tons of fuel on board.
In response, ATC told the crew to come down to (descend to) Flight Level 120 at their discretion and report when they reached it. The controller added that firefighters would be called out (summoned) and asked the crew to pass on (report) the number of persons on board when able.
In this situation, the crew should identify the source of the fire, follow (go through) the appropriate checklist, use the fire-extinguishing system, and declare an emergency. They should also land as soon as possible.
In a cargo hold, the problem could be related to dangerous goods, batteries, or an electrical fault.
From a safety perspective, if a fire breaks out (starts) onboard, the crew should deal with (manage) it immediately, carry out (perform) the appropriate checklist, and try to put it out (extinguish it) using the available systems.
They should work with (coordinate with) ATC to get the aircraft down (land the aircraft) as soon as possible. In a cargo hold, a fire could break out (start) because of dangerous goods, an overheating battery, or an electrical problem.
Situation 2
Listen carefully to the communication, report what you heard, and then answer the examiner's question.
Piper 418, Cleveland Approach. [We are closed to all operations]. There is a [hot air balloon over the field]. [Beware: CBs in the vicinity] of the aerodrome. Say your intentions.
Cleveland Approach, roger. [Request diversion to Detroit], [we are carrying a human organ for transplant]. Request to fly direct to Detroit, Piper 418.
According to the exchange, the controller informed Piper 418 that the airport was closed to all operations because there was a hot air balloon over the field. He also warned the pilot about CBs near the aerodrome and asked for their intentions.
After that, the pilot requested (asked for) a diversion to Detroit and explained that they were carrying a human organ for transplant. He also requested (asked to go) direct to Detroit.
According to the communication, ATC let Piper 418 know (informed Piper 418) that the airport had shut down (closed) all operations because a hot air balloon was over the field. The controller also pointed out (warned) that CBs were in the vicinity and asked the pilot to pass on (state) their intentions.
In response, the pilot asked to divert to Detroit and pointed out (explained) that they were carrying a human organ for transplant. He also asked to go (requested to fly) direct to Detroit.
In general, airports may close because of severe weather, runway problems, security issues, accidents, or obstacles near the airport.
For example, balloons or fireworks close to the flight path may create a collision risk or reduce visibility, so operations may need to be suspended (shut down) for safety.
From an operational standpoint, an airport may shut down (close) whenever something makes normal operations unsafe, such as severe weather, runway contamination, security concerns, or an obstacle near the field.
For example, a balloon could drift into (enter) an approach path, while fireworks being set off (launched) nearby could affect visibility or distract crews, so ATC might need to keep traffic away (prevent traffic from entering) until the risk has cleared up (disappeared).
Situation 3
Listen carefully to the communication, report what you heard, and then answer the examiner's question.
Pan Pan, Pan Pan, Pan Pan, Dubai Approach, Turkish 15. We have [total electrical failure]. [Request immediate return]. We have [thirty-minute battery power].
Turkish 15, roger. Turn right [heading one eight zero], [vectors to ILS approach] [runway one two right]. [You are number one for landing].
According to the exchange, the pilot reported a total electrical failure and requested (asked for) an immediate return. He also said that they had thirty minutes of battery power remaining.
Then, the controller instructed the crew to turn right heading 180, provided vectors for the ILS approach to runway 12R, and informed them that they were number one for landing.
According to the communication, the pilot let Dubai Approach know (informed Dubai Approach) that the aircraft had suffered a total electrical failure and asked to go back (requested an immediate return). He added that they were running on (operating with) only thirty minutes of battery power.
In response, ATC gave them heading 180, set them up for (provided vectors for) the ILS approach to runway 12R, and put them first in line (gave them number-one priority) for landing.
In this situation, an electrical failure may affect communication, navigation, cockpit displays, lighting, and other electrical equipment.
The crew should follow (go through) the appropriate checklist, use the available backup power, inform ATC, and land as soon as practical.
From an operational standpoint, an electrical failure can knock out (disable) communication equipment, navigation systems, cockpit displays, and lighting.
The crew should switch over to (use) the available standby power, shut down (deactivate) non-essential equipment, carry out (perform) the appropriate checklist, and let ATC know (inform ATC) about the problem. From there, they would work with (coordinate with) ATC to get the aircraft back on the ground (land the aircraft) as soon as practical.
Final Comparison
Compare the three situations in terms of severity, possible solutions, and ways of prevention, and explain which one would be the most difficult to deal with.
In my view, the fire onboard was more critical than the other two situations because it could spread quickly and required an immediate landing. The electrical failure was also serious, especially because the crew had limited battery power, but they could use (fall back on) backup systems and coordinate (work with) ATC.
By comparison, the airport closure was less dangerous, although the organ transport made the diversion more urgent. For example, another suitable airport could solve (sort out) that problem. Overall, the fire was the most difficult to deal with because the situation could become worse very quickly.
From a safety perspective, a fire breaking out (starting) onboard would be the most critical of the three situations because it could quickly get out of control (become uncontrollable) and force the crew to get the aircraft down (land the aircraft) immediately. The electrical failure was also more serious than the airport closure because the crew was running on (operating with) limited battery power, although they could fall back on (use) backup systems and work with (coordinate with) ATC.
By comparison, the airport closure was less dangerous and easier to work around (manage), even though carrying a human organ made the diversion more urgent. Overall, the onboard fire would be the hardest situation to deal with and probably the one with the greatest potential to become worse very quickly.
I’ve never experienced any of these situations personally. However, I’ve trained for abnormal and emergency situations, so I understand how important quick decision-making, clear communication, and situational awareness can be.
End of Part 3
You have completed the Unexpected Situations section. Listen to the examiner and choose what you would like to do next.