← All explained questions · Supplemental · IX — Emergency Operations
After an engine failure in cruise, the FIRST action a Private Pilot should take is
Choices
declare an emergency on 121.5 immediately.
Comms can wait seconds; airplane control cannot.
✓ establish best-glide airspeed (Vbg) and pitch for that speed.correct
Pitch for best-glide IS THE FIRST action — it maximizes time and distance available to find a landing site. Then: pick a field, attempt restart (fuel, mixture, mags, primer/throttle, carb heat), declare emergency, secure the engine if no restart, brief passengers, land. Pitch first because every second of slow reaction at incorrect AoA loses glide range.
deploy the parachute (if equipped).
Some Cirrus aircraft have CAPS, but for most GA the answer is Vbg.
shut off all electrical equipment.
Electrical off may be needed later (fire), not immediately.
Why
Pitch for best-glide IS THE FIRST action — it maximizes time and distance available to find a landing site. Then: pick a field, attempt restart (fuel, mixture, mags, primer/throttle, carb heat), declare emergency, secure the engine if no restart, brief passengers, land. Pitch first because every second of slow reaction at incorrect AoA loses glide range.
FAA source: AFH Ch 18, POH Emergency Procedures; AFH Chapter 18 — Emergency Proceduresbrowse the reference library →
Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.