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PA.VIII.A.R2FAA-S-ACS-6C · Nov 2023Risk management

When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.

ACS element text (the applicant demonstrates understanding of)

When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.

Bottom line

In a deteriorating chain of events, each poor decision leaves the pilot with fewer and fewer options. A pilot with a problem can request assistance from ATC, which provides pilots with traffic advisories, radar vectors, and assistance in emergency situations. A pilot should declare an emergency, if necessary, before the situation deteriorates beyond the pilot's ability to recover.

FAA references

  1. AIH ch. 1 (p. 1-20) — FAA-H-8083-9B
  2. IFH ch. 11 (p. 11-7) — FAA-H-8083-15B
  3. PHAK ch. 8 (p. 8-22) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  4. RMH ch. 6 (p. 6-4) — FAA-H-8083-2A
  5. IFH ch. 8 (pp. 8-16–8-17) — FAA-H-8083-15B
  6. PHAK ch. 2 (p. 2-23) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  7. AFH ch. 2 (p. 2-14) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  8. AIH ch. 1 (p. 1-25) — FAA-H-8083-9B
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