AET Navigation Equipment 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of the Marker Beacon receiver in an ILS approach system?
- Provides lateral guidance to runway centerline
- Identifies specific distance fixes along the approach path (Correct answer)
- Measures aircraft height above touchdown zone
- Provides glide slope vertical guidance
Correct answer: Identifies specific distance fixes along the approach path
Marker beacons (outer, middle, inner) transmit upward-directed 75 MHz signals that identify specific distance points along the ILS approach path.
Question 2: In a Weather Radar system, what does the color red typically represent on the display?
- Light precipitation, safe to penetrate
- Moderate precipitation with some turbulence
- Heavy precipitation, avoidance recommended (Correct answer)
- Extreme precipitation, do not penetrate
Correct answer: Heavy precipitation, avoidance recommended
In standard weather radar color coding, red indicates heavy precipitation with potential turbulence, and pilots are advised to avoid these areas.
Question 3: What navigation system uses the time difference of arrival (TDOA) of signals from multiple ground stations?
- VOR
- LORAN-C (Correct answer)
- ILS
- ADF
Correct answer: LORAN-C
LORAN-C determines position by measuring the time difference of arrival of pulsed signals from a chain of synchronized ground transmitters.
Question 4: What is the function of the flight management system (FMS) VNAV mode?
- Controls lateral navigation between waypoints
- Manages vertical profile including climbs, descents, and speed (Correct answer)
- Monitors engine performance parameters
- Calculates fuel burn for the filed route
Correct answer: Manages vertical profile including climbs, descents, and speed
VNAV (Vertical Navigation) manages the aircraft's vertical flight profile, including climb/descent rates, crossing altitudes, and speed targets to meet flight plan constraints.
Question 5: A TCAS II system issues a Resolution Advisory (RA). What must the flight crew do?
- Advise ATC and request vectors
- Follow the RA maneuver immediately regardless of ATC instructions (Correct answer)
- Confirm the RA with ATC before maneuvering
- Disconnect autopilot and maintain current flight path
Correct answer: Follow the RA maneuver immediately regardless of ATC instructions
FAA regulations and ICAO standards require crews to follow TCAS II Resolution Advisories immediately, as the system coordinates escape maneuvers between conflicting aircraft.
Question 6: What is the purpose of Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) ground stations?
- Relay GPS signals to aircraft in mountainous terrain
- Monitor GPS satellites and broadcast integrity and correction data (Correct answer)
- Provide backup GPS signals when satellites are unavailable
- Control satellite orbital positions to improve coverage
Correct answer: Monitor GPS satellites and broadcast integrity and correction data
WAAS ground reference stations monitor GPS satellite signals, compute corrections for errors, and uplink correction messages via geostationary satellites to improve GPS accuracy and integrity.
Question 7: What frequency range is used by the ADF system's NDB ground stations?
- 108–117.95 MHz VHF
- 190–1750 kHz LF/MF (Correct answer)
- 329–335 MHz UHF
- 960–1215 MHz L-band
Correct answer: 190–1750 kHz LF/MF
Non-Directional Beacons (NDB) transmit in the low frequency/medium frequency range of 190–1750 kHz, which ADF receivers tune to determine bearing.
AET Navigation Equipment 4
What is the purpose of the Marker Beacon receiver in an ILS approach system?