ADX Regulatory Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under 14 CFR Part 121, what is the minimum fuel required for a domestic flight dispatcher's release beyond the destination airport?
- Fuel to fly to the alternate plus 30 minutes at cruise
- Fuel to fly to the alternate plus 45 minutes at holding speed (Correct answer)
- Fuel to reach the alternate airport only
- Fuel for 1 hour of flight beyond destination
Correct answer: Fuel to fly to the alternate plus 45 minutes at holding speed
14 CFR 121.639 requires fuel to fly to the alternate plus 45 minutes at normal cruising speed for domestic operations.
Question 2: Which FAA regulation governs the authority and responsibilities of an aircraft dispatcher?
- 14 CFR Part 61
- 14 CFR Part 91
- 14 CFR Part 121 Subpart U (Correct answer)
- 14 CFR Part 135
Correct answer: 14 CFR Part 121 Subpart U
14 CFR Part 121 Subpart U specifically outlines dispatcher certification, authority, and responsibilities for air carriers.
Question 3: A dispatcher discovers that the weather at the destination has deteriorated below minimums after the aircraft has departed. What is the FIRST regulatory obligation?
- Notify ATC immediately
- Advise the pilot in command and coordinate a diversion if needed (Correct answer)
- Cancel the flight release
- File a NASA safety report
Correct answer: Advise the pilot in command and coordinate a diversion if needed
The dispatcher must advise the PIC of any condition that could affect flight safety so they can jointly decide on appropriate action.
Question 4: Under 14 CFR 121.533, operational control of domestic air carrier flights is exercised jointly by whom?
- The FAA and the carrier's chief pilot
- The pilot in command and the aircraft dispatcher (Correct answer)
- The carrier's operations manager and the FAA FSDO
- The captain and the first officer
Correct answer: The pilot in command and the aircraft dispatcher
14 CFR 121.533 establishes that the PIC and the aircraft dispatcher jointly exercise operational control of Part 121 domestic flights.
Question 5: How long must an air carrier retain dispatch release records under 14 CFR Part 121?
- 30 days
- 90 days
- 6 months
- 3 months (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 3 months
14 CFR 121.695 requires dispatch releases and load manifests to be retained for at least 3 months.
Question 6: A dispatcher issues a flight release for a route that requires ETOPS authorization. Which regulation most directly governs this requirement?
- 14 CFR 121.161 (Correct answer)
- 14 CFR 91.175
- 14 CFR 121.639
- 14 CFR 135.411
Correct answer: 14 CFR 121.161
14 CFR 121.161 restricts certain over-water operations and defines the requirements for extended operations (ETOPS) approval.
Question 7: When must a dispatcher withhold or cancel a dispatch release under federal regulations?
- Only when directed to do so by the FAA
- When any condition arises that makes the flight unsafe (Correct answer)
- Only after consulting with the chief pilot
- When the aircraft is more than 15 minutes behind schedule
Correct answer: When any condition arises that makes the flight unsafe
A dispatcher has independent authority and obligation to cancel or amend a release whenever conditions—weather, mechanical, or otherwise—make the flight unsafe.
ADX Regulatory Compliance 2
Under 14 CFR Part 121, what is the minimum fuel required for a domestic flight dispatcher's release beyond the destination airport?