General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) Practice Exam

Under what conditions does the engine fire switch unlock?

1. When the fuel control switch is in TOGA

2. Automatically for a fire warning only

3. Only manually by crew override

4. When the engine is shut down

The correct answer is: Automatically for a fire warning only

The condition in which the engine fire switch unlocks relates to safety protocols designed to allow the crew to address an emergency without inadvertently activating other systems. When the aircraft's systems detect a fire, the engine fire switch is designed to unlock automatically in response to a fire warning. This automatic function ensures that the crew can act quickly in emergencies, providing a rapid response when a fire is detected without requiring an additional manual action in an already stressful situation. While it's important for the engine fire switch to be under crew control, the automatic unlocking feature during a fire warning is a critical safety measure that prioritizes rapid access to necessary emergency procedures. This method aligns with standard aviation training, which emphasizes expeditious responses to fire conditions onboard. The other options do not pertain to the specific safety protocols designed to provide quick access under the most urgent circumstances, highlighting why this automatic response is the correct scenario for the engine fire switch unlocking.