BAvn Bachelor of Aviation Bachelor of Aviation Air Traffic Control 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum speed for aircraft operating below 10,000 feet MSL in US airspace?
- 200 knots indicated airspeed
- 250 knots indicated airspeed (Correct answer)
- 300 knots indicated airspeed
- No restriction below 10,000 ft
Correct answer: 250 knots indicated airspeed
FAR 91.117 limits aircraft to 250 KIAS when below 10,000 feet MSL unless otherwise authorized.
Question 2: When an IFR aircraft experiences two-way radio communication failure in VMC, what is the pilot expected to do?
- Land at the nearest airport immediately
- Continue VFR, land as soon as practicable, and notify ATC by squawking 7600 (Correct answer)
- Squawk 7700 and wait for further instructions
- Climb to the highest MEA and proceed to destination
Correct answer: Continue VFR, land as soon as practicable, and notify ATC by squawking 7600
In VMC, the pilot should remain VFR, land as soon as practicable, and squawk 7600 to indicate communication failure.
Question 3: What is a 'handoff' in ATC operations?
- The transfer of flight plan data from the FAA to ICAO
- The transfer of radar identification and control responsibility from one sector or facility to another (Correct answer)
- The exchange of weather information between a pilot and FSS
- The procedure for transferring a flight from IFR to VFR
Correct answer: The transfer of radar identification and control responsibility from one sector or facility to another
A handoff transfers both radar identification and communications authority so the receiving controller can assume control seamlessly.
Question 4: Which of the following is considered a controlled airspace requiring an ATC clearance for all operations?
- Class G
- Class E below 14,500 ft MSL
- Class A (Correct answer)
- Class D when the tower is closed
Correct answer: Class A
Class A airspace (18,000–60,000 ft MSL) is positive control airspace where all aircraft must operate IFR with an ATC clearance.
Question 5: What does the acronym 'LAHSO' stand for and when is it used?
- Low Altitude High Speed Operations; used in Class B airspace
- Land and Hold Short Operations; used when two runways intersect and simultaneous operations are needed (Correct answer)
- Landing Approach Hold Short Override; used during ILS approaches
- Low Altitude Holding and Sequencing Operations; used during approach emergencies
Correct answer: Land and Hold Short Operations; used when two runways intersect and simultaneous operations are needed
LAHSO allows an aircraft to land and hold short of an intersecting runway or taxiway, enabling simultaneous runway use.
Question 6: In wake turbulence separation, which aircraft category generates the most severe wake?
- Large
- Heavy
- Super (Correct answer)
- Boeing 757
Correct answer: Super
The 'Super' category, which includes aircraft like the Airbus A380, generates the most severe wake turbulence and requires the greatest separation.
Question 7: What is the primary responsibility of a Ground Controller at a towered airport?
- Clearing aircraft for takeoff and landing
- Managing aircraft and vehicle movements on taxiways and non-movement areas (Correct answer)
- Issuing IFR clearances to departing aircraft
- Coordinating with TRACON for arrival sequencing
Correct answer: Managing aircraft and vehicle movements on taxiways and non-movement areas
Ground Control manages all surface movement on the airport's movement areas (taxiways, ramps) except the active runway.
BAvn Bachelor of Aviation Bachelor of Aviation Air Traffic Control 5
What is the maximum speed for aircraft operating below 10,000 feet MSL in US airspace?