When a pilot reports an inflight equipment malfunction, controllers must determine the ___.

• A. Nature and cost of special handling desired
• B. Cause of and possible solution to the equipment malfunction
• C. Nature and extent of special handling desired
• D. Model and manufacturer of malfunctioning equipment

Answer: (C)

When a pilot reports inflight equipment malfunction, the controller’s job is to determine the nature and extent of the special handling the flight desires. This means clarifying what kind of support the crew needs and how much, so ATC can adjust routing, priority, and services to keep the flight safe and efficient. The focus is on what help is required, not on diagnosing the cause or fixing the equipment. Details like the model or manufacturer aren’t relevant to ATC actions, and cost isn’t a factor in determining handling. If, for example, the crew needs to rely on alternate navigation methods or requires a different approach, the controller coordinates that level of support accordingly.