ASI Air Carrier Operations Oversight 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Operations Specifications (OpSpecs) issued to an air carrier under 14 CFR Part 121 are valid for how long?
- Two years, subject to annual review
- Until surrendered, suspended, or revoked (Correct answer)
- One year, renewed upon satisfactory inspection
- Five years, with biennial progress reviews
Correct answer: Until surrendered, suspended, or revoked
OpSpecs have no expiration date and remain valid until the FAA suspends or revokes them, or the certificate holder surrenders them.
Question 2: Under 14 CFR Part 117, what is the maximum cumulative flight time permitted for a Part 121 pilot in any 672 consecutive hours?
- 80 hours
- 100 hours (Correct answer)
- 120 hours
- 150 hours
Correct answer: 100 hours
14 CFR §117.11(b) limits flight time to 100 hours in any 672 consecutive hours to control cumulative pilot fatigue.
Question 3: During an en route inspection, an ASI discovers the captain's first-class medical certificate expired 30 days ago. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
- Allow the flight to continue and file a report upon landing
- Ground the aircraft and notify the Certificate-Holding District Office (Correct answer)
- Issue an immediate warning notice to the captain only
- Permit the first officer to assume PIC duties for the remainder of the flight
Correct answer: Ground the aircraft and notify the Certificate-Holding District Office
An expired medical disqualifies the captain from serving as PIC; the ASI must ground the aircraft and notify the responsible CHDO for further action.
Question 4: Under 14 CFR Part 121, which document authorizes an air carrier to defer inoperative equipment and continue flight operations under specified conditions?
- Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) Limitations section
- Minimum Equipment List (MEL) (Correct answer)
- General Operations Manual (GOM)
- Airworthiness Directive compliance record
Correct answer: Minimum Equipment List (MEL)
The FAA-approved MEL specifies conditions and repair intervals under which an aircraft may operate with certain inoperative items.
Question 5: The Principal Operations Inspector (POI) assigned to an air carrier under 14 CFR Part 121 is primarily responsible for:
- Investigating all accidents involving the carrier's aircraft
- Overseeing the carrier's flight operations program and ensuring regulatory compliance (Correct answer)
- Approving all maintenance performed on the carrier's aircraft fleet
- Issuing airworthiness directives applicable to the carrier's fleet
Correct answer: Overseeing the carrier's flight operations program and ensuring regulatory compliance
The POI is the FAA's primary point of contact responsible for evaluating and overseeing an air carrier's flight operations to ensure regulatory compliance.
Question 6: Under 49 CFR Part 830, an air carrier must immediately notify the NTSB when which event occurs?
- Any mechanical write-up entered in the aircraft maintenance log
- An aircraft accident involving fatal injury, serious injury, or substantial damage (Correct answer)
- A crewmember's report of an airspace incursion
- Any departure delay exceeding 15 minutes due to mechanical issues
Correct answer: An aircraft accident involving fatal injury, serious injury, or substantial damage
49 CFR §830.5 requires immediate NTSB notification by the most expeditious means available for accidents involving fatalities, serious injuries, or substantial aircraft damage.
Question 7: Under 14 CFR Part 121.373, what is the primary purpose of a Continuing Analysis and Surveillance System (CASS)?
- Tracking competitor airline safety records for industry benchmarking
- Ensuring the adequacy and effectiveness of the carrier's maintenance and inspection programs (Correct answer)
- Monitoring air traffic control communications for compliance
- Evaluating passenger complaint trends to improve service quality
Correct answer: Ensuring the adequacy and effectiveness of the carrier's maintenance and inspection programs
CASS is a systematic process required by §121.373 allowing the carrier and FAA to continuously assess whether maintenance and inspection programs remain effective.
ASI Air Carrier Operations Oversight 1
Operations Specifications (OpSpecs) issued to an air carrier under 14 CFR Part 121 are valid for how long?