ASI Air Carrier Operations Oversight 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under 14 CFR Part 121.709, an Aviation Safety Inspector's authority to inspect a Part 121 air carrier operation extends to:
- Only aircraft on the ground before scheduled departures
- Any Part 121 aircraft at any time or place (Correct answer)
- Only operations with 24-hour advance notice to the carrier
- Aircraft undergoing maintenance at certified repair stations only
Correct answer: Any Part 121 aircraft at any time or place
14 CFR §121.709 grants ASIs broad authority to inspect any Part 121 operation at any time and place to ensure regulatory compliance.
Question 2: Which type of ASI surveillance activity involves observing and evaluating flight crew performance during normal revenue operations from the cockpit jump seat?
- Base inspection
- Ramp inspection
- En route inspection (Correct answer)
- Maintenance surveillance inspection
Correct answer: En route inspection
An en route inspection is conducted with the ASI riding in the flight deck observer seat to evaluate crew performance and regulatory compliance during actual flight operations.
Question 3: Under 14 CFR Part 121.391, what is the minimum number of flight attendants required for a transport category aircraft with a passenger seating configuration of 51 to 100 seats?
- 1
- 2 (Correct answer)
- 3
- 4
Correct answer: 2
14 CFR §121.391 requires one flight attendant per 50 passengers or fraction thereof; a configuration of 51 to 100 passengers therefore requires 2 flight attendants.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) in an air carrier's safety program?
- To identify and prosecute regulatory violations committed by flight crews
- To collect safety data during normal operations and identify systemic risk factors (Correct answer)
- To assess airport infrastructure for FAA compliance
- To evaluate cabin crew emergency drill performance
Correct answer: To collect safety data during normal operations and identify systemic risk factors
LOSA is a proactive, non-jeopardy safety tool where trained observers collect data on normal operations to identify threats and errors, enabling systemic safety improvements.
Question 5: Under 14 CFR Part 135.297, how often must a Part 135 pilot in command complete an instrument proficiency check?
- Every 6 calendar months (Correct answer)
- Every 12 calendar months
- Every 18 calendar months
- Every 24 calendar months
Correct answer: Every 6 calendar months
14 CFR §135.297 requires Part 135 PICs to complete an instrument proficiency check every 6 calendar months to maintain currency in instrument operations.
Question 6: During an air carrier base inspection, which document should an ASI review to assess whether the carrier's pilot training program meets all applicable regulatory requirements?
- The carrier's annual financial report filed with the DOT
- The FAA-approved Training Program Manual (Correct answer)
- The airport's certification manual and safety plan
- The carrier's route authority documents from the DOT
Correct answer: The FAA-approved Training Program Manual
The FAA-approved Training Program Manual specifies how training is structured, conducted, and evaluated, making it the authoritative compliance reference for Part 121 Subpart N.
Question 7: The Program Tracking and Reporting Subsystem (PTRS) is used by Aviation Safety Inspectors primarily to:
- Schedule and approve air carrier route applications
- Document surveillance activities, inspection findings, and follow-up actions (Correct answer)
- Process airman certificate applications and renewals
- Coordinate air traffic control clearances during flight inspections
Correct answer: Document surveillance activities, inspection findings, and follow-up actions
PTRS is the FAA's system for recording and tracking ASI surveillance activities, inspection findings, and enforcement actions, creating an accountability audit trail.
ASI Air Carrier Operations Oversight 2
Under 14 CFR Part 121.709, an Aviation Safety Inspector's authority to inspect a Part 121 air carrier operation extends to: