How can a pilot identify an ADC failure?

Identifying an Air Data Computer (ADC) failure is crucial for maintaining situational awareness and safety during flight operations. A pilot can recognize such a failure primarily through checking for discrepancies or abnormalities in critical flight data, such as indicated airspeed (IAS), altitude (ALT), and vertical speed (V/S). These parameters are directly influenced by the ADC, which processes data from various sensors to inform the flight instruments.

If the ADC is malfunctioning, readings for IAS, ALT, and V/S may exhibit unusual fluctuations or indicators that deviate from expected values, often appearing as red flags on the instruments. These anomalies serve as significant alerts that can prompt the pilot to investigate further, ensuring safety and proper response protocols are activated based on the data accuracy.

In contrast, the other options involve parameters or issues that are not directly related to the ADC’s function and would not reliably signal an ADC failure. Changes in cabin pressure, fluctuations in engine RPM, and variations in fuel temperature may indicate different problems unrelated to the air data systems, making them less effective indicators for detecting an ADC failure.