ACE Airfield Operations and Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An airport operations employee notices a foreign object (FOD) near the runway edge during a routine inspection. What is the correct immediate action?
- Document it and report at the next shift briefing
- Remove it immediately and log it in the inspection record (Correct answer)
- Notify the FAA regional office before removing it
- Photograph it and leave it until a supervisor authorizes removal
Correct answer: Remove it immediately and log it in the inspection record
FOD must be removed immediately during inspection to prevent aircraft damage, then documented in the inspection record.
Question 2: Under 14 CFR Part 139, how often must a certificated airport conduct a self-inspection of the entire movement area?
- Once every 24 hours at a minimum (Correct answer)
- After every aircraft operation
- Once per week during daylight hours only
- Only when weather conditions change significantly
Correct answer: Once every 24 hours at a minimum
Part 139.327 requires a daily inspection of the movement area and obstacle-free zones at least once every 24 hours.
Question 3: What does a flashing yellow light signal from the control tower mean to a vehicle operator on the movement area?
- Stop immediately and contact ground control
- Exercise extreme caution (Correct answer)
- Cleared to proceed through the intersection
- Return to your original starting position
Correct answer: Exercise extreme caution
A flashing yellow light signal to a vehicle on the movement area means exercise extreme caution.
Question 4: Which document serves as the primary reference for airport pavement marking standards in the United States?
- FAA Advisory Circular 150/5340-1 (Correct answer)
- 14 CFR Part 77
- ICAO Annex 14
- FAA Order 7110.65
Correct answer: FAA Advisory Circular 150/5340-1
FAA AC 150/5340-1 (Standards for Airport Markings) is the primary U.S. reference for all airfield pavement marking standards.
Question 5: A taxiway centerline lead-off line painted in yellow and black is intended to guide aircraft from the runway to the taxiway. What color scheme indicates an enhanced taxiway centerline near a runway?
- Solid yellow only
- Alternating yellow and black (Correct answer)
- White and yellow stripes
- Green and yellow alternating
Correct answer: Alternating yellow and black
Enhanced taxiway centerline markings use alternating yellow and black paint to warn pilots they are approaching a runway hold-short position.
Question 6: When is a Runway Condition Report (RCR) required to be filed per FAA regulations?
- Only during declared snow emergencies
- Whenever runway contaminants may affect aircraft braking performance (Correct answer)
- Only when requested by an inbound aircraft crew
- Quarterly as part of the airport self-certification process
Correct answer: Whenever runway contaminants may affect aircraft braking performance
An RCR must be filed whenever contaminants such as snow, ice, slush, or water may affect aircraft braking performance on the runway.
Question 7: The protected area called the 'Obstacle Free Zone' (OFZ) over a runway is measured how?
- From the runway surface up to 35 feet AGL centered on the runway centerline (Correct answer)
- From the runway threshold extending 200 feet beyond each end
- From runway edge lighting inward to centerline
- From the approach surface down to the runway holding position mark
Correct answer: From the runway surface up to 35 feet AGL centered on the runway centerline
The OFZ is a defined volume of airspace above the runway and its approach/departure areas, generally extending up to 150 feet above the runway surface.
ACE Airfield Operations and Compliance 3
An airport operations employee notices a foreign object (FOD) near the runway edge during a routine inspection.
What is the correct immediate action?