Which GPWS mode is correctly paired with its description?

Which GPWS mode is correctly paired with its description?

• A. Mode 3 — Altitude loss after T/O or G/A
• B. Mode 1 — Excessive rate of descent
• C. Mode 4 — Unsafe terrain clearance when not in landing configuration
• D. Mode 2 — Excessive terrain closure rate

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is how GPWS warns for different kinds of terrain and altitude issues, each tied to a specific condition. The description “Excessive rate of descent” matches the GPWS warning that is triggered when the aircraft is descending faster than it should for the current phase of flight. This is a direct, clear signal to the crew to arrest the descent and level off, because a steep downward speed greatly increases the risk of hitting terrain. The other pairings describe other GPWS functions—warnings tied to altitude loss after takeoff or go-around, excessive terrain closure rate, and unsafe terrain clearance when not in landing configuration—but the description given aligns most unambiguously with the descent-rate warning.

The key idea here is how GPWS warns for different kinds of terrain and altitude issues, each tied to a specific condition. The description “Excessive rate of descent” matches the GPWS warning that is triggered when the aircraft is descending faster than it should for the current phase of flight. This is a direct, clear signal to the crew to arrest the descent and level off, because a steep downward speed greatly increases the risk of hitting terrain.

The other pairings describe other GPWS functions—warnings tied to altitude loss after takeoff or go-around, excessive terrain closure rate, and unsafe terrain clearance when not in landing configuration—but the description given aligns most unambiguously with the descent-rate warning.