ADX ADX Airport Operations and Ground Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'alternate airport' mean in the context of US domestic dispatch?
- An airport listed in the dispatch release where the flight may land if the destination becomes unusable (Correct answer)
- The originating airport used as a backup if departure is delayed
- Any nearby airport with a fuel cache for emergency refueling
- The FAA-designated diversion point for overwater flights
Correct answer: An airport listed in the dispatch release where the flight may land if the destination becomes unusable
An alternate airport is filed in the dispatch release as a contingency landing site if the destination airport cannot be used due to weather or other conditions.
Question 2: What is an Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) approach and when would a dispatcher consider it?
- A radar-vectored instrument approach used when ILS or other precision approaches are unavailable (Correct answer)
- A visual approach used during clear day operations only
- A ground radar system used to track baggage carts on the ramp
- A satellite-based approach procedure requiring no ground equipment
Correct answer: A radar-vectored instrument approach used when ILS or other precision approaches are unavailable
An ASR approach uses ground radar to vector the aircraft to the runway, providing a non-precision approach option when precision approaches are out of service.
Question 3: Under FAR Part 121, what is the minimum fuel requirement a dispatcher must ensure is aboard a domestic flight?
- Enough fuel to reach the destination, fly to the alternate, and have 45 minutes of reserve at cruise speed (Correct answer)
- Enough fuel to reach the destination with 30 minutes reserve only
- Full tanks regardless of flight distance
- Fuel for destination plus 1 hour at holding speed with no alternate required
Correct answer: Enough fuel to reach the destination, fly to the alternate, and have 45 minutes of reserve at cruise speed
FAR 121.639 requires domestic Part 121 flights to carry enough fuel for the destination, the alternate, plus 45 minutes at normal cruise consumption.
Question 4: What is a 'sterile cockpit' rule and how does it affect dispatcher communications?
- Below 10,000 feet, crew must focus on flight duties; dispatchers should avoid non-essential calls during this phase (Correct answer)
- Dispatchers are prohibited from contacting the cockpit without TSA clearance
- The cockpit door must remain locked during all dispatcher radio calls
- Pilots must silence all ACARS messages during approach
Correct answer: Below 10,000 feet, crew must focus on flight duties; dispatchers should avoid non-essential calls during this phase
The FAA sterile cockpit rule prohibits non-essential communications and activities below 10,000 feet, so dispatchers must time critical messages to avoid critical flight phases.
Question 5: What is the significance of 'TDZ elevation' (Touchdown Zone Elevation) for a dispatcher planning an instrument approach?
- It is the elevation used as the reference for decision altitudes on instrument approaches, affecting weather minimums (Correct answer)
- It is the required runway surface friction level for safe landing
- It determines the maximum landing weight for the runway
- It sets the taxiway gradient limit after landing
Correct answer: It is the elevation used as the reference for decision altitudes on instrument approaches, affecting weather minimums
TDZ elevation is the highest elevation in the first 3,000 feet of the runway landing surface and is used as the reference point for calculating instrument approach minimums.
Question 6: What is a Ground Stop (GS) and how should a dispatcher respond to one?
- An FAA Traffic Management Initiative that stops departures to a specific airport; dispatcher must hold flights at origin and coordinate with crew (Correct answer)
- A ramp supervisor order to park all aircraft during severe weather
- A mandatory fuel stop requirement for flights over 4 hours
- A TSA security measure preventing aircraft from departing internationally
Correct answer: An FAA Traffic Management Initiative that stops departures to a specific airport; dispatcher must hold flights at origin and coordinate with crew
A Ground Stop is an FAA traffic flow management program that prevents departures to a specific airport or airspace; dispatchers must delay releases and communicate delays to crews and operations.
ADX ADX Airport Operations and Ground Procedures 2
What does the term 'alternate airport' mean in the context of US domestic dispatch?