In cruise in a single-engine airplane, a bird hits the windshield. The windshield cracks badly but stays in place, and the pilot is startled but uninjured. What should the pilot do first?

Keep control of the airplane, slowing to a moderate airspeed, then plan a landing at the nearest suitable airport

Squawk 7700 right away and call ATC for help before assessing the airplane's condition

Increase power and airspeed to reach the nearest airport sooner, before the damage can get worse

Continue to the planned destination, since a cracked windshield in an unpressurized airplane is only cosmetic

In the PARE memory aid for recovering from an upright spin (used when the POH gives no different procedure), what does each letter call for?

Power to idle, Ailerons neutral, Rudder full opposite the rotation, Elevator briskly forward

Power to full, Ailerons opposite the rotation, Rudder neutral, Elevator back

Power to idle, Ailerons into the rotation, Rudder with the rotation, Elevator forward

Power to idle, Ailerons neutral, Rudder neutral, Elevator full back

According to FAA guidance, what is the main emphasis of stall/spin awareness training for pilots?

Recognizing the situations that lead to an inadvertent stall or spin and preventing them

Practicing intentional spins until recovery can be done without referring to the AFM/POH

Using the stall warning device as the main cue that a spin is about to happen

Stopping spin rotation by applying full aileron opposite to the direction of the spin

After a total electrical failure at night, what should a pilot use for lighting?

A flashlight carried for that purpose

The instrument panel lights on the battery bus

When ditching in swells, how should the airplane usually be landed?

Directly into the face of a swell

A VFR pilot loses radio contact near a towered airport. What should the pilot do?

Squawk 7600 and watch for tower light signals

Climb above 10,000 feet and circle until contact returns

FIA · 5% of the exam

Emergency and Night Operations practice questions

10 free Emergency and Night Operations questions for the Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA) Knowledge Test exam, each with the correct answer and an explanation for every option.

Start the questions Free 10-question FIA quiz

What this domain covers

The smallest domain in this guide: handling emergencies such as engine failure, and the extra demands of flying at night.

Exam weight: 5%
On a real exam: ≈ 5 questions
In our bank: 31 questions

Topics that come up most

Engine failure and emergency approach and landing
Systems and equipment malfunctions
Emergency equipment and survival gear
Night vision and dark adaptation
Aeroplane and airport lighting for night flight

How to study it

Learn how the eye adapts to darkness and why off-centre viewing works at night; these points come up repeatedly in the night operations questions.

Sample Emergency and Night Operations questions

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

Question 1
In cruise in a single-engine airplane, a bird hits the windshield. The windshield cracks badly but stays in place, and the pilot is startled but uninjured. What should the pilot do first?
- AKeep control of the airplane, slowing to a moderate airspeed, then plan a landing at the nearest suitable airport
- BSquawk 7700 right away and call ATC for help before assessing the airplane's condition
- CIncrease power and airspeed to reach the nearest airport sooner, before the damage can get worse
- DContinue to the planned destination, since a cracked windshield in an unpressurized airplane is only cosmetic
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) Keep control of the airplane, slowing to a moderate airspeed, then plan a landing at the nearest suitable airport
After a bird strike, first keep control of the airplane, using a moderate airspeed to limit loads on damaged structure. Then land as soon as practical. Talking to ATC comes after control is secure, and the damage should never be dismissed as cosmetic.
- ACorrect. Aviate first: hold a safe attitude and airspeed. A slower airspeed reduces the air load on the damaged windshield. Then pick the nearest suitable airport and land as soon as practical.
- BIncorrect. Calling for help is appropriate, but it comes after aircraft control is assured (aviate, navigate, communicate). Startled pilots who focus on the radio first can lose control.
- CIncorrect. More airspeed means higher dynamic pressure on an already cracked windshield, which makes it more likely to fail completely. A moderate airspeed is the safer choice.
- DIncorrect. A cracked windshield may fail without warning and can hide other strike damage. The airplane should land as soon as practical so it can be inspected.
Question 2
On what frequency can a pilot call for help in an emergency?
- A121.5 MHz
- B122.8 MHz
- C118.0 MHz
- D135.0 MHz
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) 121.5 MHz
- ACorrect. It's monitored by many facilities.
- BIncorrect. That's a common UNICOM frequency.
- CIncorrect. That isn't the emergency frequency.
- DIncorrect. That isn't the emergency frequency.
Question 3
If an induction fire occurs during engine start, the pilot typically should:
- AStop and leave the engine wet
- BKeep cranking
- CPump the throttle
- DOpen the cowling
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) Keep cranking
- AIncorrect. Follow the POH; cranking is common.
- BCorrect. To draw the fire into the engine (per POH).
- CIncorrect. That adds fuel.
- DIncorrect. Follow the POH.
Question 4
After engine failure at altitude, the first step is usually to:
- APitch for best glide
- BCall ATC first
- CRestart immediately
- DLower the flaps
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) Pitch for best glide
- ACorrect. Then pick a field and troubleshoot.
- BIncorrect. Aviate first.
- CIncorrect. Establish glide first.
- DIncorrect. That adds drag.
Question 5
In the PARE memory aid for recovering from an upright spin (used when the POH gives no different procedure), what does each letter call for?
- APower to idle, Ailerons neutral, Rudder full opposite the rotation, Elevator briskly forward
- BPower to full, Ailerons opposite the rotation, Rudder neutral, Elevator back
- CPower to idle, Ailerons into the rotation, Rudder with the rotation, Elevator forward
- DPower to idle, Ailerons neutral, Rudder neutral, Elevator full back
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) Power to idle, Ailerons neutral, Rudder full opposite the rotation, Elevator briskly forward
PARE is Power idle, Ailerons neutral, Rudder opposite the rotation, Elevator forward. Once rotation stops, neutralize the rudder and recover from the dive, and always follow the POH if it differs.
- ACorrect. FAA guidance says to close the throttle, neutralize the ailerons, apply full opposite rudder, then move the elevator forward to break the stall. The POH procedure takes precedence.
- BIncorrect. Power tends to flatten the spin and adds altitude loss. Aft elevator keeps the wing stalled, and opposite aileron does not stop rotation and can make it worse.
- CIncorrect. Rudder with the rotation keeps driving the yaw that sustains the spin. Recovery needs rudder opposite the rotation and neutral ailerons.
- DIncorrect. Holding the elevator back keeps the angle of attack above critical, and neutral rudder does nothing to stop the yaw. The spin continues.
Question 6
If the engine fails shortly after takeoff at low altitude, the pilot should generally:
- ATurn back to the runway
- BLand nearly straight ahead
- CClimb to restart
- DExtend gear and flaps fully
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) Land nearly straight ahead
- AIncorrect. That risks a stall-spin.
- BCorrect. Turning back is dangerous at low altitude.
- CIncorrect. There's no power to climb.
- DIncorrect. Fly the airplane first.
Question 7
According to FAA guidance, what is the main emphasis of stall/spin awareness training for pilots?
- APracticing intentional spins until recovery can be done without referring to the AFM/POH
- BUsing the stall warning device as the main cue that a spin is about to happen
- CRecognizing the situations that lead to an inadvertent stall or spin and preventing them
- DStopping spin rotation by applying full aileron opposite to the direction of the spin
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C) Recognizing the situations that lead to an inadvertent stall or spin and preventing them
Stall/spin awareness training stresses recognizing and avoiding the conditions that lead to an inadvertent stall or spin. If a spin does happen, recovery follows the AFM/POH, generally with ailerons neutral and full opposite rudder.
- AIncorrect. Recovery must follow the AFM/POH for the specific airplane. Also, the emphasis is on recognizing and avoiding spins, not on repeated spin practice.
- BIncorrect. Pilots are taught to recognize the flight conditions and multiple cues that lead to a stall or spin, not to rely on one warning device.
- CCorrect. FAA guidance focuses on recognizing situations, often involving realistic distractions, that could lead to an inadvertent stall or spin, so the pilot can avoid them and recover if needed.
- DIncorrect. The general recovery technique is to neutralize the ailerons and apply full rudder opposite the rotation. Aileron input can make a spin worse.
Question 8
After a total electrical failure at night, what should a pilot use for lighting?
- AThe strobe lights
- BThe landing light
- CThe instrument panel lights on the battery bus
- DA flashlight carried for that purpose
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D) A flashlight carried for that purpose
- AIncorrect. They need electrical power.
- BIncorrect. It needs electrical power.
- CIncorrect. They need electrical power.
- DCorrect. Night flight should include a flashlight.
Question 9
When ditching in swells, how should the airplane usually be landed?
- AWith the gear extended
- BDirectly into the face of a swell
- CDownwind at high speed
- DParallel to the swells
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D) Parallel to the swells
- AIncorrect. Gear can cause a flip.
- BIncorrect. That can cause a violent stop.
- CIncorrect. Touch down slowly.
- DCorrect. Landing into a swell face is dangerous.
Question 10
A VFR pilot loses radio contact near a towered airport. What should the pilot do?
- ASquawk 7500 and land anywhere
- BSquawk 7600 and watch for tower light signals
- CClimb above 10,000 feet and circle until contact returns
- DTurn off the transponder
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) Squawk 7600 and watch for tower light signals
- AIncorrect. 7500 means hijacking.
- BCorrect. Enter the pattern as appropriate.
- CIncorrect. That doesn't help.
- DIncorrect. Keep it on.

Emergency and Night Operations: FAQs

How much of the FIA exam is Emergency and Night Operations?

Emergency and Night Operations is 5% of the FIA 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 and Night Operations domain cover?

The smallest domain in this guide: handling emergencies such as engine failure, and the extra demands of flying at night.

How should I study Emergency and Night Operations for FIA?

Learn how the eye adapts to darkness and why off-centre viewing works at night; these points come up repeatedly in the night operations questions.

Where can I practise more Emergency and Night Operations questions?

This page has 10 free Emergency and Night Operations questions with answers. The ExamWize FIA question bank has 31 questions in this domain. Every practice exam result breaks your score down by domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.

Get Emergency and Night Operations exam-ready

The full FIA bank has 31 Emergency and Night 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.