ACE Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ACE facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which agency is responsible for airport security screening in the U.S.? → TSA
2. Which FAA advisory circular provides standards for airport pavement design, including flexible and rigid pavement thickness requirements? → AC 150/5320-6
3. Which FAA advisory circular provides guidance on sustainable airport planning, including energy, water, and waste management? → AC 150/5100-17
4. What document must U.S. airports comply with to maintain certification under Part 139? → Airport Certification Manual
5. Pavement Condition Index (PCI) scores range from 0 to 100; a score between 10 and 25 indicates pavement in which condition category? → Very Poor / Failed
6. Which of the following is a key performance indicator (KPI) for airport parking facility management? → Occupancy rate and revenue per available parking space
7. What is a common way to handle customer complaints effectively? → Acknowledge concerns and offer resolution
8. Which area of an airport typically requires the highest security clearance? → SIDA zone
9. Airport landside planners use demand forecasting primarily to: → Estimate future vehicle and passenger volumes to size facilities appropriately
10. A Transportation Network Company (TNC) is best described as: → A company that operates app-based rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft
11. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides federal grants for airport development and planning through which primary program? → Airport Improvement Program (AIP)
12. An airport's Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan is required when above-ground oil storage exceeds: → 660 gallons in a single container or 1,320 gallons aggregate
13. What is a common method to restrict unauthorized access to airfield areas? → Access control systems
14. Aircraft deicing fluid runoff is a major environmental concern at airports primarily because it can: → Deplete dissolved oxygen in receiving waters
15. According to 14 CFR Part 139, what is the minimum frequency for conducting a self-inspection of the airfield for a certificated airport? → Daily, and also at night if the airport serves air carriers during hours of darkness.
16. Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), an airport that generates more than 1,000 kg of hazardous waste per month is classified as a: → Large Quantity Generator
17. A Preventive Maintenance (PM) program for airfield lighting systems should be based primarily on: → Manufacturer-recommended intervals and lamp burn-hour data
18. Inter-terminal transportation systems such as Automated People Movers (APMs) primarily serve to: → Move passengers between terminals or remote concourses efficiently
19. Airport capacity analysis tools such as the FAA Airport Capacity Model estimate capacity in terms of: → Annual Service Volume (ASV) and hourly capacity for runway configurations
20. Which of the following is a primary function of the Logistics Section within the Incident Command System (ICS) during an airport emergency? → Arranging for personnel, supplies, and equipment.
21. Which document establishes an airport's framework for managing noise impacts on surrounding communities? → Airport Noise Compatibility Program (Part 150 Study)
22. How can airports accommodate travelers with special needs? → Offer inclusive accessibility services
23. The EPA's Tier system for aircraft engine emissions standards under 40 CFR Part 87 applies to engines with thrust above: → 26.7 kN (6,000 lbf)
24. What is the purpose of airport security drills? → To evaluate emergency response capabilities
25. What is the primary function of the landside area of an airport? → Passenger and vehicle access to the terminal
26. Contaminated soil and groundwater from historical jet fuel spills at an airport are typically remediated under oversight of the: → State environmental agency under EPA-delegated authority
27. According to FAA standards, what color are taxiway edge lights? → Blue
28. Why is wildlife management important at airports? → To avoid aircraft-wildlife collisions
29. Which part of FAA regulations governs airport certification? → Part 139
30. An Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) is installed at the end of a runway to: → Decelerate aircraft that overrun the runway end