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An emergency descent is flown how?

Choices

  • At the specified airspeed and configuration without exceeding structural limitscorrect

    A rapid descent must stay within airspeed and configuration limits.

  • By exceeding never-exceed speed to lose altitude fastest

    Exceeding structural limits can damage or destroy the airframe.

  • By climbing first to gain gliding distance

    An emergency descent loses altitude; it does not climb.

  • At full power in level flight

    An emergency descent reduces power to lose altitude, not maintain it.

Why

An emergency descent reduces power, configures per the flight manual, and descends at the specified airspeed while staying within all structural and configuration limits.

FAA source: Airplane Flying Handbook / emergency descentbrowse the reference library →

This is taught in Fire, Smoke and Electrical Failures study the lessons free, then practice with grading and mastery tracking.

Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.

An emergency descent is flown how? · PPL Free Ground School