ADX Communication and Monitoring 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'joint responsibility' mean in the context of aircraft dispatch?
- The FAA and airline share equal authority over every flight decision
- Both the dispatcher and the pilot-in-command share responsibility for the safety of each flight under 14 CFR Part 121 (Correct answer)
- Multiple dispatchers must approve every flight release
- The dispatcher and ATC jointly control the aircraft's routing
Correct answer: Both the dispatcher and the pilot-in-command share responsibility for the safety of each flight under 14 CFR Part 121
Under 14 CFR Part 121, the dispatcher and PIC jointly share responsibility for the preflight planning and safe conduct of each flight.
Question 2: A dispatcher monitoring a flight observes that weather at the destination has dropped below minimums. The aircraft is still 2 hours out. What is the appropriate action?
- Wait and reassess when the aircraft is 30 minutes from destination
- Contact the flight crew immediately and coordinate an alternate destination or delay (Correct answer)
- Issue a new dispatch release with updated weather
- Contact the destination airport to request they raise their minimums
Correct answer: Contact the flight crew immediately and coordinate an alternate destination or delay
Dispatchers must proactively contact the crew when conditions change significantly to ensure the flight can safely complete or divert.
Question 3: What is a 'dispatch release' and what must it contain at minimum?
- A verbal clearance given by a dispatcher to the pilot before departure
- A written or electronic document identifying the flight, route, fuel requirements, and weather conditions (Correct answer)
- An FAA-issued permit authorizing the flight to depart
- A maintenance log confirming the aircraft is airworthy
Correct answer: A written or electronic document identifying the flight, route, fuel requirements, and weather conditions
A dispatch release is a required document that authorizes the flight and must include the flight identification, route, alternate airports, and fuel requirements.
Question 4: Which type of NOTAM is most critical for a dispatcher monitoring runway conditions at a destination airport?
- NOTAM (D) for runway closures or surface conditions (Correct answer)
- FDC NOTAMs for procedural changes only
- Pointer NOTAMs directing to military operations
- International NOTAMs for oceanic airspace only
Correct answer: NOTAM (D) for runway closures or surface conditions
NOTAM (D) notices contain current operational information about airports, including runway closures, lighting outages, and surface conditions.
Question 5: Under what circumstance may a dispatcher issue an 'amendment' to an existing dispatch release?
- Only before the aircraft pushes back from the gate
- At any time when conditions require a change, provided the PIC concurs (Correct answer)
- Only when authorized by the FAA in writing
- Only when the aircraft is on the ground at a scheduled stop
Correct answer: At any time when conditions require a change, provided the PIC concurs
A dispatcher may amend a dispatch release at any point during a flight when conditions change, but the amendment requires concurrence from the PIC.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of SELCAL in long-range flight monitoring?
- To provide GPS navigation data to the aircraft
- To alert the flight crew to an incoming communication without requiring continuous HF radio monitoring (Correct answer)
- To transmit fuel quantity data to dispatch automatically
- To replace ACARS over oceanic routes
Correct answer: To alert the flight crew to an incoming communication without requiring continuous HF radio monitoring
SELCAL alerts the crew to an incoming call over HF radio, eliminating the need for constant radio monitoring in noisy flight deck environments.
Question 7: A Special Use Airspace (SUA) area is scheduled to be active along a flight's route during the planned flight time. What should the dispatcher do?
- Ignore it if the pilot has been briefed verbally
- Check the SUA activation schedule and reroute or coordinate a clearance through the area if required (Correct answer)
- File a PIREP reporting the airspace conflict
- Request ATC to deactivate the SUA for the flight
Correct answer: Check the SUA activation schedule and reroute or coordinate a clearance through the area if required
Dispatchers must verify SUA activation times and adjust routing or obtain appropriate coordination if the airspace will be active during the flight.
ADX Communication and Monitoring 3
What does the term 'joint responsibility' mean in the context of aircraft dispatch?