← All explained questions · Aeromedical Factors

A pilot notices a headache and the smell of exhaust with the cabin heater on. What is the best immediate action?

Choices

  • ✓ Shut off the cabin heater, open fresh-air vents, and use oxygen if availablecorrect

    This removes the CO source and restores clean air, the correct response to suspected CO.

  • Turn the heater up to burn off the fumes

    Increasing heater use worsens CO intake.

  • Close all vents to keep the cabin warm

    Closing vents traps the contaminated air.

  • Do nothing; carbon monoxide is harmless in small amounts

    CO is dangerous and binds strongly to hemoglobin even at low concentrations.

Why

Carbon monoxide often leaks from a defective exhaust or heater. On suspicion, shut off the heater, open fresh-air vents, and use oxygen if available.

FAA source: PHAK Ch. 17 / carbon monoxide poisoningbrowse the reference library →

This is taught in Oxygen and the Gases That Hurt You: Hypoxia, Hyperventilation and CO — 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.

A pilot notices a headache and the smell of exhaust with the cabin he… · PPL Free Ground School