Detection of an engine fire requires which of the following?

The correct approach to detecting an engine fire relies on both detection loops sensing an overheat condition. This redundancy is crucial because it ensures a higher level of reliability and accuracy in detecting a potential fire. Each loop operates independently, enabling the system to verify an overheat condition through confirmation from both sensors. If only one loop detected an overheat, there could be a false alarm or a failure in detection, potentially compromising safety.

In contrast, relying on just one detection loop would not provide the necessary confirmation to indicate a genuine fire hazard, as it could lead to missed detections if the single loop were to fail or malfunction. A manual check by the pilot or a visual inspection from the ground are not comprehensive methods for fire detection, as they do not utilize the built-in system's capabilities designed specifically for this purpose. The automated detection system, with its dual-loop configuration, is the most effective means of ensuring engine fire safety onboard the aircraft.