What is the first action to take when an aircraft reports a NAVAID malfunction?

• A. Notify maintenance
• B. Get another report from a second aircraft
• C. Request the pilot to land
• D. Change the aircraft's route

Answer: (B)

The most effective initial action upon receiving a report of a NAVAID malfunction is to obtain a verification from a second aircraft. This approach helps to confirm the validity of the reported issue. If only one report is received, it could be a misinterpretation or an isolated problem with that specific aircraft, while another aircraft may still be receiving accurate navigation signals. Gathering additional reports before taking further action ensures that decisions made regarding safety and operations are based on cross-verified information.

In scenarios like this, it is crucial to confirm the malfunction before engaging additional protocols or responses, such as notifying maintenance or changing flight operations, as these actions can be more disruptive and based on potentially unverified claims.