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When the engine fails at cruise altitude, what should the pilot do first?

Choices

  • ✓ Establish and hold best glide airspeedcorrect

    Securing best glide first preserves the most distance and options.

  • Immediately shut off the fuel selector

    Shutting off fuel is not the first step and would prevent a restart.

  • Radio a mayday before controlling the aircraft

    Aviate first; communication comes after control is established.

  • Lower full flaps to slow down

    Full flaps increase drag and reduce glide range.

Why

At altitude, fly the airplane first: establish best glide airspeed to maximize distance, then select a field and run the restart flow and checklist.

FAA source: Airplane Flying Handbook / engine failure in flightbrowse the reference library →

This is taught in Engine Failure: After Takeoff and at Altitude — study the lessons free, then practice with grading and mastery tracking.

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Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question. Reviewed by a panel of three CFIs + AI review.

When the engine fails at cruise altitude, what should the pilot do fi… · PPL Free Ground School