Chapter 7 - Operational Procedures

These notes are exam-focused for CASA PPL operational procedures with practical, scenario-based emphasis.

7.1 Preflight Actions and Threat Briefing

• Confirm legal/operational readiness:
  • Pilot documents and fitness
  • Aircraft status and defects
  • Weather/NOTAM/airspace constraints
  • Fuel/oil quantity and quality
  • W&B and performance margins
• Conduct a short threat briefing:
  • Weather threats
  • Terrain/airspace complexity
  • Runway and crosswind considerations
  • Alternate/diversion strategy.

7.2 Walk-Around and Cockpit Preparation

• External inspection should be systematic and repeatable.
• Fuel checks:
  • Correct grade
  • Sufficient quantity
  • Contamination-free sample
• Cockpit setup:
  • Documents, checklists, frequencies, nav setup
  • Controls free/correct
  • Safety equipment available and serviceable.

7.3 Passenger Briefing and Cabin Safety

• Minimum briefing content:
  • Seat belts/harnesses
  • Doors/windows and emergency egress
  • Sterile cockpit expectations
  • Sick bag/fire extinguisher/ELT location if relevant
• Passenger management is a safety task, not just courtesy.

7.4 Ground Operations and Runway Safety

• Taxi with active lookout and speed discipline.
• Prevent runway incursions:
  • Read back and verify clearances/instructions
  • Hold short compliance
  • Sterile cockpit near runway environment
  • Positional awareness at all times.
• Account for propwash/jet blast and surface hazards.

7.5 Takeoff and Climb Procedures

• Use a departure brief every flight:
  • Runway, wind, flap/configuration
  • Abort plan
  • Engine failure actions by phase
• Apply short/soft field techniques only as required and per POH.
• Noise abatement and local procedures must be integrated without compromising safety margins.

7.6 Cruise Procedures and En Route Management

• Systematic cruise scan:
  • Engine instruments
  • Fuel state and tank management
  • Navigation accuracy and timing
  • Traffic and weather monitoring
• Keep updated escape options for weather/terrain/airspace issues.

7.7 Descent, Approach, and Stabilization

• Start descent planning early:
  • Height/lateral profile
  • Circuit/approach integration
  • Configuration schedule
  • Go-around triggers.
• Stabilized approach principles:
  • Correct speed/path/configuration by gate
  • If unstable, go around early.

7.8 Landing Techniques

• Understand normal, crosswind, short-field, and soft-field goals and trade-offs.
• Crosswind control:
  • Maintain centerline
  • Use coordinated aileron/rudder inputs through rollout
• After landing:
  • Maintain directional control
  • Clear runway promptly and safely.

7.9 Emergency and Abnormal Procedures

• Immediate action hierarchy:
  • Maintain control
  • Analyze and act via memory items/checklist
  • Communicate and plan landing
• Core scenarios:
  • Engine failure after takeoff
  • Engine failure in cruise
  • Fire/smoke
  • Electrical failure
  • Instrument failure
  • Inadvertent IMC
  • Forced landing/precautionary landing.

7.10 Survival, SAR, and Post-Flight

• Carry suitable survival equipment for route/area risk.
• ELT and signaling awareness is examinable.
• Post-flight actions:
  • Secure aircraft
  • Record defects accurately
  • Review fuel/performance outcomes for learning.

7.11 SOP Discipline and TEM Application

• SOPs reduce variability and errors.
• TEM in operations:
  • Anticipate threats
  • Trap errors early
  • Build margins before high-workload phases.
• Checklist usage must be timely, not rushed or deferred beyond safe points.

7.12 Key Definitions and Practical Examples

• Sterile cockpit: no non-essential conversation/actions during critical phases of flight.
  • Example: during taxi, takeoff, approach, and landing, only operational communication is allowed.
• Stabilized approach: aircraft is on correct path, speed, power/configuration by a defined point.
  • Example: if unstable at gate, immediate go-around is safer than salvage.
• Go-around: discontinued approach/landing followed by climb-out and re-sequencing.
  • Example: another aircraft still on runway or unstable speed/path on short final.
• Precautionary landing: controlled landing made due to deteriorating conditions before emergency develops.
  • Example: weather lowering ahead with limited alternates and daylight remaining.
• Forced landing: landing without engine power available.
  • Example: complete engine failure in cruise requiring immediate field selection/checklist actions.

Scenario: unstable final approach

• On final: high and fast, significant crosswind correction still changing, touchdown zone likely missed.
• Correct action: go around early, re-brief approach, and reattempt with improved spacing/configuration.

7.13 Common Operational Procedures Exam Traps

• Forgetting to prioritize control of aircraft in emergency questions.
• Delaying go-around despite unstable approach cues.
• Treating checklist as optional under pressure.
• Poor runway/taxi situational awareness assumptions.
• Ignoring passenger briefing as a compliance/safety requirement.

7.14 Rapid Revision Checklist (Pre-Exam)

• Can structure a full preflight legal/safety check sequence.
• Can brief takeoff including failure contingencies.
• Can identify stabilized approach criteria and go-around triggers.
• Can prioritize emergency actions in correct order.
• Can explain runway incursion prevention techniques.

References (Primary)

• FAA PHAK (airport operations, emergencies, procedures): https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak
• CASA VFR guide copy (supportive operational context): https://www.kempseyflyingclub.com.au/Docs/Visual%20Flight%20Guide%202020.pdf