College

When the test switch is momentarily pressed, a self-test of the GCAS is initiated if the airplane is on the ground or airborne above ________.

a) 500 feet AGL
b) 1000 feet AGL
c) 1500 feet AGL
d) 2000 feet AGL

Answer :

Final answer:

The GCAS initiates a self-test at a certain altitude to avoid interference with regular flight operations, with the specific altitude depending on the aircraft's operation protocols and system design.

Explanation:

The subject of this question pertains to the Ground Collision Avoidance System (GCAS) often used in aviation. When the test switch for the GCAS is momentarily pressed, it is designed to initiate a self-test. The altitude at which this self-test can be initiated while the airplane is airborne varies, depending on the aircraft's specific operating procedures and the design of the GCAS.

While specific protocols can differ by aircraft and system, one common benchmark for GCAS test initiation in the air is above a certain altitude to ensure that the test does not interfere with normal flight operations or cause false alarms. The GCAS self-test initiation while airborne is typically allowed above a certain altitude to prevent interference with flight operations.

The stipulated altitude level ensures that there's ample time to recover from any unintended activations resulting from the test and to prevent nuisance warnings close to the ground.

Without specific data for the GCAS in question, one cannot definitively answer this multiple-choice question. However, the concept behind these altitude restrictions is to maintain flight safety during testing routines.