SAR REVIEW – ALERTING PHASES: DEFINITIONS AND EXAMPLES QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | LATEST STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
Uncertainty Phase (INCERFA) definition - correct answer ✔✔Doubt exists as to the safety of an
aircraft and its occupants
Alert Phase (ALERFA) definition - correct answer ✔✔Apprehension exists as to the safety of an
aircraft and its occupants
Distress Phase (DETRRESFA) definition - correct answer ✔✔There is reasonable certainty that an
aircraft and its occupants are threatened by grave and immediate danger and require
immediate assistance
A MAYDAY call, or a MAYDAY CDPLC message is recieved - correct answer ✔✔Distress Phase
The pilot is unable to use appropriate Navaids - correct answer ✔✔Uncertainty Phase
A flight restricted to daylight operations is operating at night - correct answer ✔✔Alert Phase
An aircraft is not on its proper track or at its appropriate level - correct answer ✔✔Uncertainty
Phase
A surveillance emergency indication is recieved - correct answer ✔✔Distress Phase
Information is received which indicates that the operating efficiency of an aircraft has been
impaired to the extent that a forced landing is likely - correct answer ✔✔Distress Phrase
AND ANSWERS | LATEST STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
Uncertainty Phase (INCERFA) definition - correct answer ✔✔Doubt exists as to the safety of an
aircraft and its occupants
Alert Phase (ALERFA) definition - correct answer ✔✔Apprehension exists as to the safety of an
aircraft and its occupants
Distress Phase (DETRRESFA) definition - correct answer ✔✔There is reasonable certainty that an
aircraft and its occupants are threatened by grave and immediate danger and require
immediate assistance
A MAYDAY call, or a MAYDAY CDPLC message is recieved - correct answer ✔✔Distress Phase
The pilot is unable to use appropriate Navaids - correct answer ✔✔Uncertainty Phase
A flight restricted to daylight operations is operating at night - correct answer ✔✔Alert Phase
An aircraft is not on its proper track or at its appropriate level - correct answer ✔✔Uncertainty
Phase
A surveillance emergency indication is recieved - correct answer ✔✔Distress Phase
Information is received which indicates that the operating efficiency of an aircraft has been
impaired to the extent that a forced landing is likely - correct answer ✔✔Distress Phrase
