Practice Test Geeks(AET) Aircraft Electronics Technician Practice Test
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Communication Systems Flashcards

7 cards from real AET practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Communication Systems flashcards as text

  1. A CVR (Cockpit Voice Recorder) is required to retain audio from the last:

    Answer: 2 hours of flight

    Current regulations (14 CFR 91.609) require CVRs to retain at least 2 hours of the most recent audio to capture enough data for accident investigation.

  2. Ground-wave propagation is associated with which frequency range used in aviation?

    Answer: HF (2–30 MHz)

    HF radio uses both ground-wave (for short ranges) and sky-wave (ionospheric reflection for long ranges), making it essential for oceanic and remote-area communications.

  3. When troubleshooting a SATCOM system showing 'no log-on' status, the technician should FIRST check:

    Answer: Antenna pointing, obstructions, and satellite network log-on status

    A 'no log-on' indication most often results from physical blockage, antenna attitude error, or a lapsed network subscription before any internal hardware fault.

  4. The purpose of the 'guard' receiver in a VHF comm radio is to:

    Answer: Simultaneously monitor 121.5 MHz emergency frequency while operating on another channel

    A guard receiver continuously monitors 121.5 MHz (the international emergency frequency) in parallel with the main operational channel.

  5. A passenger address (PA) amplifier on a transport category aircraft fails silently — no audio in cabin, no fault indication. The BEST initial test is:

    Answer: Inject a known audio signal at the amplifier input and measure output at speaker tap points

    Signal injection at the amplifier input and probing the output isolates whether the fault is in the amplifier itself or in upstream audio sources and wiring.

  6. Which standard defines the ARINC 429 data bus commonly used to interconnect avionics including communication management units?

    Answer: ARINC 429 (DITS)

    ARINC 429 (Digital Information Transfer System) is a unidirectional serial data bus standard widely used on commercial aircraft to pass data between avionics LRUs.

  7. Which regulatory document provides minimum performance standards for airborne VHF communication transceivers installed in US-registered aircraft?

    Answer: RTCA DO-186 / TSO-C169

    RTCA DO-186 establishes the minimum operational performance standards for airborne VHF comm equipment, and TSO-C169 is the FAA Technical Standard Order referencing it.