General Flight Regulation Policies

Question 1

What are the Company speed restrictions?

Answer 1

An aircraft speed shall not exceed 250 kts below 10,000ft AGL or minimum clean speed , whichever is greater, unless a specific speed has been assigned by ATC, in which case speed shall not be greater than 250 kts below 5000ft AGL or minimum clean speed , whichever is greater

Question 2

What are the maximum allowable bank angles during takeoff?

Answer 2

10 degrees below 300ft AGL
15 degrees at/above 300ft AGL
30 degrees at/above 500ft AGL

Question 3

What are the maximum permissible rates of climb/descent?

Answer 3

During climb or descent, the maximum vertical speed shall not exceed
2000ft/min when within 2000ft of the cleared FL / Alt
1500ft /min when within 1000ft of the cleared FL/ ALt

These rates are maximum allowable: therefore, aircraft performance must be taken into account when adjusting V/S during a high level climb or descent

These rates are intended to minimize the generation of TAs and RAs and are therefore only applicable when other traffic is within 5nm and +-2000ft of your aircraft. If not applicable crews will utilize MANAGED auto flight functions to capture the assigned level

Question 4

Maximum vertical speeds approaching Terrain / Obstacles

Answer 4

Below 10,000 ft AGL , at no time must rates of descent exceed :

 5000 ft/min  down to an altitude 5000 ft AGL
 4000 ft/min  down to an altitude 4000 ft AGL 
 3000 ft/min down to an altitude 3000  ft AGL
 2000 ft/min down to an altitude 2000 ft AGL
 1500 ft/min down to an altitude 1000 ft AGL

Question 5

What are the Company stabilization approach criteria?

Answer 5

An approach is considered stabilized when the following parameters
1. Aircraft is on the correct path
2.Pitch is within +10 and 0 degrees (Airbus)
3. Bank is not more than 7
4. Speed is within target speed +10 kts & VREF/VLS excluding minor deviations due to gusty conditions on final approach
5. Aircraft is in correct and briefed landing configuration
6. Sink rate not more than
1000 ft / min CAT C aircraft
1200 ft / min CAT D aircraft
If higher rate of decent required by aircraft configuration approach procedure other specific conditions, it shall be briefed during approach preparations
7. Thrust / power appropriate for configuration and attitude. Significant changes are only allowed for gust compensation. Brief reductions to idle power are acceptable as long as all other stabilization criteria are met
8. All briefings and Checklist completed
9. ILS - within one dot Glide slope and Localizer
Non precision approaches - 1/2 dot or 2.5 deg for VOR
And 5 deg for NDB

Question 6

What is the latest point at which the stabilization approach criteria must be met during precision and non-precision approaches?

Answer 6

1500ft RA (recommended Altitude)
1000 RA is the latest point .
A Go Around must be executed if the Stabilization are not met by 1000ft RA
ONLY as a consequence of ATC a deviation of the speed / thrust is permitted below 1000ft RA down to 500ft RA
In this case , the stabilized speed criteria and the associated thrust setting must be reached by 500ft RA at the latest.

Question 7

What is the latest point at which the stabilization approach criteria must be met during a straight-in instrument approach which is cleared to be concluded visually?

Answer 7

1000ft RA

Question 8

What is the latest point at which the stabilization approach criteria must be met during circling approaches and visual circuits?

Answer 8

500ft AAL

Question 9

What is Etihads policy regarding orbits on final approach?

Answer 9

Orbit on the approach segment , below 2000ft AGL , is prohibited for any purpose, including losing of height , speed or increasing the track miles , even when requested by ATC

Question 10

What is Etihads policy regarding landing within the touchdown zone?

Answer 10

The desired touchdown zone lies between 300 to 600m from the landing threshold
If touchdown cannot be accomplished within the desired touchdown zone, a missed approach should normally be initiated with due regard to the remaining runway length
Spool up of engines aircraft speed and pitch attitude must be considered carefully

Question 11

What is Etihads policy regarding the decision to execute a go-around?

Answer 11

A decision to initiate a GO-around rests with the commander as long as the aircraft is higher than 1000ft AAL

Below 1000ft AAL a GO-around shall be executed as soon as any active crew member calls out GO AORUND , regardless of who is PF/PM

Question 12

When is the sterile cockpit Policy in force?

Answer 12

The Commander shall ensure the “sterilize cockpit policy “ is in force

: from commencement of pushback (engine start when no pushback required) , to top of CLimb (TOC)
: from TOD until engine shutdown on stand

Question 13

What is the no contact period and when is it valid?

Answer 13

During the no contact period there shall be no contact with the flight deck crew from the cabin crew
The no contact period is from:
The application of takeoff power until the under carriage is retracted
The extension of the under carriage prior to landing until the aircraft has vacated the runway .

Question 14

What is the priority of tasks for the PF in Normal & abnormal situations?

Answer 14

During all phases of flight, the PF duties must be clearly assigned to one cockpit crew member, who must refrain from performing non-essential duties . PF shall always prioritize tasks as follows:
Aviate
Navigate
Communicate

Question 15

What is the priority of tasks for the PM?

Answer 15

Monitoring flight progress
Assistance and supervision of PF
Airspace observation
Monitoring aircraft system’s
Operating aircraft systems in accordance with task sharing
R/T communication and correct use of checklist
Keeping the necessary flight records
Setting, identifying and checking navigational aids according to the instructions of PF

Question 16

What should be done in case of uncertainty about a clearance given by ATC?

Answer 16

Both flight crew members shall monitor ATC clearances and have a responsibility to query any clearance that is not understood, incorrectly received, or incomplete
Any uncertainty about a clearance must be resolved by asking ATC to repeat the clearance

Question 17

Can a pilot request ATC for a lateral or vertical flight path change if one pilot is absent from the cockpit?

Answer 17

It is mandatory that , when one pilot is absent from frequency no request for lateral or vertical change of the flight path is made to ATC

Question 18

What are the applicable procedures when a pilot needs to leave the flight deck for physiological reasons or otherwise?

Answer 18

Prior to leaving the cockpit, both pilots will cross check that the radio panels are configured with the active frequency on set 1 and the guard frequency (121.5) on set 2 including appropriate volume setting.
During the absence from the cockpit sterile cockpit rules apply and the remaining pilot at the controls should be wearing head phones and have the full seat harness securely fastened
The remaining pilot must refrain from performing non essential duties (ie reading of iPad , etc) and have unobstructed vision to the flight instruments at all times.

Question 19

What are the mandatory altitude checks and call outs during climb and descent phases of flight ?

Answer 19

Altitude awareness is achieved by the active attention of the Flight crew. This awareness with associated continuous monitoring is the primary means of ensuring the cleared altitudes are adhered to and clearances are not infringed. The mandatory checks and calls are
10,000 above airport level
Every 10,000 ( FL 200 and above , in climb and descent):
Passing ALT/FL…climbing/ descending FL/ALT…”
1000’ before reaching the cleared altitude or Flight level :
“ one thousand to go “

Question 20

What critical actions shall be cross checked and confirmed by the flight crew?

Answer 20

Engine thrust levers
Fuel master or control switches
Engine fire handles or switches
Engine fire extinguisher switches
IDG disconnect switch
Aircraft configuration changes (landing gear, flaps, speed brakes)
Altimeter bug and airspeed bug settings , as applicable
Altimeter sub scale setting
Altitude window settings
Transfer of control of the aircraft
Changes to the automatic flight system AFS / FMS and radio navigation aids during departure and approach phase in flight
Weight/mass and balance calculations and associated AFS/FMS entries
Performance calculations or inputs , including AFS/FMS entries
System resets