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CAX · 5% of the exam

Emergency Operations practice questions

10 free Emergency Operations questions for the Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX) Knowledge Test exam, each with the correct answer and an explanation for every option.

Start the questionsFree 10-question CAX quiz

What this domain covers

Recognising and handling abnormal and emergency situations, from engine failure to system malfunctions and emergency descents.

Exam weight
5%
On a real exam
≈ 5 questions
In our bank
29 questions

Topics that come up most

  • Engine failure and best glide procedures
  • Emergency descents
  • Electrical and landing gear malfunctions
  • Engine and electrical fires
  • Emergency equipment, transponder codes and ELTs

How to study it

Write out the memory items for an engine failure and an electrical fire in order, and explain why each step comes where it does.

Sample Emergency Operations questions

Try each one before opening the answer. Original questions written to the official exam objectives.

  1. Question 1

    After a radio failure on a VFR flight, the transponder code should be:

    • A7500
    • B7700
    • C7600
    • D0000
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) 7600

    • AIncorrect. That's hijacking.
    • BIncorrect. That's a general emergency.
    • CCorrect. Lost communications.
    • DIncorrect. Use 7600.

  2. Question 2

    Before ditching, why should doors be unlatched?

    • ATo let water in slowly
    • BTo reduce drag before landing
    • CTo prevent them from jamming on impact
    • DBecause regulations require it on every landing
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) To prevent them from jamming on impact

    • AIncorrect. The goal is a clear exit.
    • BIncorrect. The goal is escape.
    • CCorrect. It helps everyone get out.
    • DIncorrect. It's a ditching technique.

  3. Question 3

    The general spin recovery technique begins with:

    • AAileron into the spin
    • BFull power
    • CFull back elevator
    • DIdle, ailerons neutral
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) Idle, ailerons neutral

    • AIncorrect. Neutralize ailerons.
    • BIncorrect. Reduce power.
    • CIncorrect. Move it forward.
    • DCorrect. Then opposite rudder and forward elevator (PARE).

  4. Question 4

    In cruise, the oil pressure gauge drops to zero while the oil temperature gauge climbs steadily. What is the most appropriate response?

    • AContinue to the destination at reduced power, since a zero reading usually means a failed pressure gauge
    • BPrepare for a possible engine failure and land at the nearest suitable airport
    • CEnrich the mixture and open the cowl flaps, then continue the planned flight once the temperature stabilizes
    • DIncrease power and climb to gain altitude and boost cooling airflow before deciding what to do
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Prepare for a possible engine failure and land at the nearest suitable airport

    Zero oil pressure with rising oil temperature confirms a real lubrication problem, not a gauge fault. Expect engine failure and land at the nearest suitable airport.

    • AIncorrect. A gauge failure alone wouldn't make oil temperature rise. The two indications together point to a real loss of oil or oil pressure.
    • BCorrect. Losing oil pressure while temperature rises means the engine isn't being lubricated properly and could seize. Land at the nearest suitable airport while keeping a forced-landing area in mind.
    • CIncorrect. These steps can help with ordinary high temperatures. They don't fix a loss of oil pressure, and continuing the flight risks engine seizure.
    • DIncorrect. More power adds heat and load to an engine that is short of lubrication, which can speed up failure. The pilot should head for a landing site now.

  5. Question 5

    For flights for hire over water beyond power-off gliding distance from shore, each occupant needs:

    • ANothing extra
    • BA parachute
    • CAn extra radio
    • DA flotation device
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) A flotation device

    • AIncorrect. Flotation is required.
    • BIncorrect. Flotation is required.
    • CIncorrect. Flotation is required.
    • DCorrect. 14 CFR 91.205.

  6. Question 6

    While starting a piston engine, the pilot sees flames from the induction system, likely caused by overpriming. Unless the POH says otherwise, what is the generally recommended first action?

    • APump the throttle to push the fuel out of the induction system
    • BStop cranking right away and wait for the fire to burn itself out
    • CContinue cranking so the fire is drawn through into the engine
    • DTurn on the electric boost pump to raise fuel pressure for the start
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) Continue cranking so the fire is drawn through into the engine

    For an induction fire during engine start, the generally recommended action, subject to the POH, is to keep cranking so the fire is drawn into the engine. Adding fuel or stopping the engine allows the fire to grow or spread.

    • AIncorrect. Pumping the throttle squirts more fuel into the intake on many engines, which feeds the fire.
    • BIncorrect. Once cranking stops, the fire is no longer drawn into the engine and can spread to the induction system and cowling.
    • CCorrect. For an induction fire during start, the usual guidance is to keep cranking. This pulls the flames into the cylinders, and the engine may start and burn off the excess fuel.
    • DIncorrect. The boost pump sends more fuel to the engine and can make an overpriming fire worse.

  7. Question 7

    A typical single-engine piston airplane has a complete electrical failure at night. Which statement correctly describes the situation?

    • AThe engine will soon stop because the ignition system runs on battery power
    • BThe vacuum-driven attitude and heading indicators will fail with the electrics
    • CThe engine keeps running on its magnetos; a flashlight is needed for lighting
    • DThe airspeed indicator and altimeter stop working because they need power
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) The engine keeps running on its magnetos; a flashlight is needed for lighting

    After a total electrical failure, the magnetos keep the engine running and the pneumatic instruments keep working. At night the pilot needs a flashlight to see the instruments and charts.

    • AIncorrect. Magnetos are self-contained engine-driven generators. Ignition does not depend on the airplane's electrical system.
    • BIncorrect. In a typical light airplane these gyros are driven by an engine-driven vacuum pump, so they keep working.
    • CCorrect. The magnetos keep the engine running. With cockpit lighting gone, the pilot needs a flashlight to see instruments and charts, which is why carrying one on night flights is recommended.
    • DIncorrect. Pitot-static instruments work on air pressure alone and need no electrical power.

  8. Question 8

    In cruise, a pilot notices the distinct odor of burning insulation. A quick check of circuit breakers, avionics, and lights does not reveal which circuit is at fault. If flight conditions permit, what should the pilot do next to remove the likely source of the fire?

    • ATurn off the battery master and the alternator/generator switches
    • BSet the fuel selector off and move the mixture to idle cutoff
    • CReset any tripped circuit breakers to locate the faulty circuit
    • DTurn the magneto switch off to de-energize the electrical bus
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Turn off the battery master and the alternator/generator switches

    If an electrical fire's faulty circuit can't be quickly identified and isolated, the pilot should turn off the battery master and alternator/generator switches, if flight conditions permit, to remove power from the fire's source. Do not reset tripped breakers.

    • ACorrect. The Airplane Flying Handbook says that if the faulty circuit can't be readily found and isolated, and conditions permit, the pilot should turn off the battery master and alternator/generator switches. This removes electrical power from the possible source of the fire.
    • BIncorrect. That is the engine-fire procedure, which cuts off fuel to the fire. It shuts down the engine but does not remove power from an overheating electrical circuit.
    • CIncorrect. A breaker that trips during a suspected electrical fire should not be reset. Resetting it can overheat the wiring again and cause arcing, which feeds the fire.
    • DIncorrect. Magnetos run the ignition and work independently of the airplane's battery and alternator. Turning them off stops the engine but leaves the electrical bus powered.

  9. Question 9

    During a VFR cross-country flight, a pilot is no longer sure of the airplane's position. Which action best matches FAA guidance?

    • AClimb if able, contact ATC or FSS, explain the situation, and follow instructions
    • BDescend to a lower altitude so landmarks and road signs are easier to identify
    • CFly a search pattern for a familiar landmark and wait to call until fuel is low
    • DStay off the radio to avoid an enforcement action and navigate by dead reckoning
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Climb if able, contact ATC or FSS, explain the situation, and follow instructions

    A lost VFR pilot should climb if able, communicate with ATC or FSS, admit being lost, comply with instructions, and conserve fuel, and should do this early.

    • ACorrect. AIM 6-3-2 says to climb if possible for better radio and radar coverage, contact a facility, and comply with the advice and instructions received. Saving fuel by reducing power also helps.
    • BIncorrect. Descending shortens radio and radar range, shrinks the area you can see, and increases the risk of hitting terrain or obstacles.
    • CIncorrect. Waiting burns fuel and options. Ask for help early, while there is still plenty of fuel and time.
    • DIncorrect. ATC and Flight Service exist to help lost pilots. Avoiding them out of fear of enforcement is a hazardous attitude and delays help.

  10. Question 10

    To declare an emergency on the transponder, squawk:

    • A7700
    • B7600
    • C7500
    • D1200
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) 7700

    • ACorrect. 7600 is lost comms; 7500 is hijack.
    • BIncorrect. That's lost communications.
    • CIncorrect. That's unlawful interference.
    • DIncorrect. That's VFR.

Emergency Operations: FAQs

How much of the CAX exam is Emergency Operations?

Emergency Operations is 5% of the CAX exam by the official exam guide's weighting, which on a 100-question form works out to roughly 5 questions. The real exam's exact split varies by form.

What does the Emergency Operations domain cover?

Recognising and handling abnormal and emergency situations, from engine failure to system malfunctions and emergency descents.

How should I study Emergency Operations for CAX?

Write out the memory items for an engine failure and an electrical fire in order, and explain why each step comes where it does.

Where can I practise more Emergency Operations questions?

This page has 10 free Emergency Operations questions with answers. The ExamWize CAX question bank has 29 questions in this domain. Every practice exam result breaks your score down by domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.

Other CAX topics

Also: 15 free questions across all topics, the CAX cheat sheet and the study guide.

Get Emergency Operations exam-ready

The full CAX bank has 29 Emergency Operations questions. Timed practice exams match the real exam's length and domain weights, every result shows your score per domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.

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Not affiliated with FAA; questions are original, written from the official exam outline, and never copied from the real exam.