ADX Communication Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When an aircraft dispatcher receives a PIREP indicating severe turbulence along a planned route, what is the FIRST action the dispatcher should take?
- Log the PIREP in the flight log and continue monitoring
- Relay the PIREP to the flight crew immediately via ACARS or radio (Correct answer)
- File an AIRMET for the affected area
- Contact ATC and request a route deviation on behalf of the crew
Correct answer: Relay the PIREP to the flight crew immediately via ACARS or radio
The dispatcher must relay hazardous weather information to the flight crew immediately so the crew can make informed decisions.
Question 2: What term is used to describe the two-way communication required between a dispatcher and the pilot-in-command before a flight departs?
- Preflight briefing (Correct answer)
- Dispatch release authorization
- Joint responsibility agreement
- Pre-departure clearance
Correct answer: Preflight briefing
A preflight briefing is the required exchange of flight-relevant information between the dispatcher and the PIC prior to departure.
Question 3: Under 14 CFR Part 121, which party has the authority to delay or cancel a flight if they determine conditions are unsafe?
- ATC only
- The airline operations control center supervisor
- Either the PIC or the aircraft dispatcher (Correct answer)
- The FAA Flight Standards District Office
Correct answer: Either the PIC or the aircraft dispatcher
Under Part 121, both the PIC and the aircraft dispatcher share joint authority and responsibility for the safety of the flight.
Question 4: A dispatcher needs to relay an urgent message to a flight crew but ACARS is inoperative. What is the standard alternate communication method?
- Satellite phone direct to the captain's personal cell
- VHF company radio frequency via a ground station or ARINC (Correct answer)
- File an NOTAMthrough FAA
- Send a message via the airline's crew scheduling department
Correct answer: VHF company radio frequency via a ground station or ARINC
VHF company radio frequencies routed through ground stations or ARINC provide an alternative when ACARS is unavailable.
Question 5: When communicating a weather divert suggestion via ACARS, which information is MOST critical for the dispatcher to include?
- Alternate airport ATIS, fuel required to alternate, and current METAR (Correct answer)
- The dispatcher's employee ID and authorization code
- Estimated passenger inconvenience and rebooking options
- Gate availability at the divert airport
Correct answer: Alternate airport ATIS, fuel required to alternate, and current METAR
Operational divert suggestions must include weather conditions, fuel calculations, and current airport conditions at the alternate.
Question 6: What does the abbreviation 'SELCAL' refer to in aircraft communication procedures?
- Selected Callsign Altitude Limitation system
- Selective Calling system used to alert specific aircraft on HF radio (Correct answer)
- Secondary Locator Calibration system
- Self-contained Electronic Landing Communication Alert
Correct answer: Selective Calling system used to alert specific aircraft on HF radio
SELCAL is a selective calling system that allows ground stations to alert a specific aircraft without continuous HF radio monitoring by the crew.
Question 7: If a dispatcher loses all communication with a flight for more than 30 minutes, what is the appropriate action?
- Declare an emergency on behalf of the flight immediately
- Attempt communication on all available frequencies and notify the chief dispatcher and ATC (Correct answer)
- Wait one hour before escalating, as HF communication gaps are common
- File a missing aircraft report with the NTSB
Correct answer: Attempt communication on all available frequencies and notify the chief dispatcher and ATC
The dispatcher should exhaust all communication means and notify supervisors and ATC, who can relay messages through other aircraft or ground stations.
ADX Communication Procedures 2
When an aircraft dispatcher receives a PIREP indicating severe turbulence along a planned route, what is the FIRST action the dispatcher should take?