CFC Radio Communication Procedures 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'ATIS out of service' mean for a pilot planning to call clearance delivery?
- The pilot must obtain weather and NOTAMs from the controller directly instead of the automated broadcast (Correct answer)
- The airport is closed
- The pilot must delay departure until ATIS resumes
- The pilot should file a PIREP instead
Correct answer: The pilot must obtain weather and NOTAMs from the controller directly instead of the automated broadcast
When ATIS is unavailable, controllers provide the information normally contained in the ATIS broadcast upon pilot request.
Question 2: An aircraft is instructed to 'Report passing 10,000.' When should the pilot transmit?
- At the moment the altimeter reads 10,000 feet during climb or descent (Correct answer)
- After leveling off at 10,000 feet
- When 10 miles from the reporting fix
- When the FMS shows 10,000 in the altitude window
Correct answer: At the moment the altimeter reads 10,000 feet during climb or descent
'Passing' means the aircraft is through that altitude, so the report is made as the altimeter sweeps through 10,000 feet.
Question 3: What is the significance of an ATC transmission beginning with 'All aircraft'?
- The message applies to every aircraft on that frequency and each must comply (Correct answer)
- Only aircraft in the immediate area need respond
- It is an advisory only requiring no action
- The message targets aircraft with callsigns beginning with the word 'All'
Correct answer: The message applies to every aircraft on that frequency and each must comply
A broadcast beginning with 'All aircraft' is a general transmission requiring compliance from every aircraft monitoring that frequency.
Question 4: Which transponder code signals radio failure in VFR conditions?
- 7600 (Correct answer)
- 7700
- 7500
- 1200
Correct answer: 7600
Squawk 7600 is the universal transponder code indicating lost communications, while 7700 indicates emergency and 7500 indicates hijack.
Question 5: A controller clears an aircraft for a 'short approach.' What does this require of the pilot?
- Reduce the traffic pattern to land with minimal circuit distance (Correct answer)
- Approach at minimum safe airspeed only
- Land within the first 1,000 feet of the runway
- Fly a shortened ILS glideslope
Correct answer: Reduce the traffic pattern to land with minimal circuit distance
A short approach clearance permits the pilot to tighten or shorten the traffic pattern legs to accommodate traffic flow at the controller's discretion.
Question 6: What does 'Say intentions' request from a pilot?
- State what the pilot plans to do next with the aircraft (Correct answer)
- Report fuel remaining and endurance
- Declare whether VFR or IFR flight is intended
- Report the aircraft's current heading
Correct answer: State what the pilot plans to do next with the aircraft
'Say intentions' asks the pilot to communicate their planned course of action so ATC can provide appropriate separation and services.
Question 7: What is required before a pilot changes frequencies when in contact with an ATC facility?
- Obtain explicit approval from the controller to change frequencies (Correct answer)
- Inform the controller of the new frequency being selected
- Simply switch frequencies without notification if ATIS is current
- Check the new frequency is not guarded by another aircraft first
Correct answer: Obtain explicit approval from the controller to change frequencies
Pilots must receive clearance or approval from the controlling facility before switching to a new frequency to prevent loss of two-way communication.
CFC Radio Communication Procedures 5
What does 'ATIS out of service' mean for a pilot planning to call clearance delivery?