ACE - Airport Certified Employee Airfield Lighting and Maintenance Questions and Answers

Question 1

An airport maintenance technician performing a nightly check on a precision instrument runway observes that the runway centerline lights change from all white to alternating red and white. What does this color change indicate to a pilot?

Accepted Answer

The aircraft has 3,000 feet of runway remaining.

Answer

According to FAA standards, on a precision instrument runway, the centerline lights are white until the last 3,000 feet. For the next 2,000 feet (from 3,000 ft to 1,000 ft remaining), the lights alternate red and white. For the last 1,000 feet, all centerline lights are red. This provides pilots with a visual indication of the remaining runway distance.

Question 2

A maintenance work order is generated for an unserviceable Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) system on Runway 18. According to FAA Advisory Circular 150/5340-26C, which of the following is a critical maintenance task to ensure the PAPI provides accurate vertical guidance?

Accepted Answer

Verifying and adjusting the unit's aiming angle with a certified clinometer.

Answer

The most critical maintenance task for a PAPI system is to ensure its vertical alignment is correct, as this directly affects the glide path information given to pilots. FAA Advisory Circulars and maintenance best practices require the use of a specialized tool, a clinometer, to verify and accurately adjust the aiming angle of the PAPI units.

Question 3

Which of the following lighting systems is specifically designed to provide pilots with a rapid and positive identification of the approach end of a runway, especially when it's surrounded by other lights or lacks contrast with the terrain?

Accepted Answer

Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL)

Answer

Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL) are a pair of synchronized, high-intensity flashing lights located on each side of the runway threshold. Their specific purpose is to help pilots quickly and unmistakably identify the approach end of the runway.

Question 4

While performing maintenance on a taxiway that intersects with a runway, a technician notes a set of alternately flashing yellow lights installed on each side of the taxiway at the runway holding position. What are these lights called and what is their primary purpose?

Accepted Answer

Runway Guard Lights; to enhance the conspicuity of the runway holding position.

Answer

These lights are Runway Guard Lights (RGLs). They consist of either elevated flashing yellow lights or a row of in-pavement yellow lights at the runway holding position. Their primary function is to make the holding position more conspicuous and warn pilots and vehicle operators that they are approaching an active runway.

Question 5

An airport operations team discovers a complete outage of the Medium Intensity Runway Lights (MIRL) for Runway 9/27. After confirming the outage cannot be immediately repaired, what is the required administrative action?

Accepted Answer

Issue a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) detailing the outage.

Answer

Whenever a critical airport lighting system becomes unserviceable and cannot be repaired immediately, the airport operator is required to issue a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM). This ensures that all flight personnel are aware of the abnormal status of the lighting system, which is essential for flight safety, especially during night or low-visibility operations.

(ACE) Airport Certified Employee Practice Test

(ACE) Airport Certified Employee Practice Test

ACE - Airport Certified Employee Airfield Lighting and Maintenance Questions and Answers