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

What happens if the backup generator switch is turned OFF?

1. The backup system remains active

2. The backup generator powers all systems

3. The BACKUP GEN "OFF" light will not illuminate

4. The backup generator will be disabled

The correct answer is: The backup generator will be disabled

Turning the backup generator switch OFF disables the backup generator system. This means that any redundancy or alternate power source that the backup generator could provide to critical systems is no longer active. The main systems that depend on the backup generator for continuity of power will instead rely solely on the primary power source. In this scenario, safety and operational readiness are affected because, without the backup generator operational, any interruption to the primary power supply could result in a loss of critical systems. Understanding the implications of disabling the backup generator is crucial for ensuring that aircraft operations can proceed safely without unexpected power failures. The other options do not accurately reflect the effects of turning the backup generator switch OFF. If the backup system remains active or powers all systems, it contradicts the action of turning the switch OFF. Similarly, if the BACKUP GEN "OFF" light does not illuminate, it would suggest that the generator is still operational, which is not the case when the switch is turned OFF.