CFC Regulatory Compliance & Air Traffic Control Coordination 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When an IFR aircraft reports 'minimum fuel,' what is the controller's primary obligation?
- Inform every facility involved in the flight of the minimum fuel state (Correct answer)
- Declare an emergency on the aircraft's behalf
- Immediately clear the aircraft to land
- Issue a traffic alert to all nearby aircraft
Correct answer: Inform every facility involved in the flight of the minimum fuel state
Minimum fuel is not an emergency but requires the controller to notify all subsequent ATC facilities so they can expedite handling.
Question 2: Which NOTAM type is used to notify pilots of conditions at airports or en route that are essential to flight safety?
- NOTAM (D)
- NOTAM (L)
- FDC NOTAM (Correct answer)
- NOTAM (O)
Correct answer: FDC NOTAM
FDC (Flight Data Center) NOTAMs are issued by the National Flight Data Center and cover regulatory matters such as chart amendments and TFRs.
Question 3: A runway incursion occurs when an aircraft, vehicle, or person is on a runway without authorization. Which order governs ATC procedures for preventing runway incursions?
- FAA Order 7110.65 (Correct answer)
- 14 CFR Part 139
- Advisory Circular 150/5370
- FAA Order 8260.3
Correct answer: FAA Order 7110.65
FAA Order 7110.65 contains the specific ATC procedures controllers must follow to prevent runway incursions.
Question 4: When coordinating a climb through another sector's altitude, a controller must receive:
- Approval from the sector that owns the airspace being entered (Correct answer)
- Only a verbal notification without approval
- Written approval from the facility manager
- No coordination if the aircraft is IFR
Correct answer: Approval from the sector that owns the airspace being entered
Before climbing an aircraft into airspace owned by another sector, the controller must obtain approval from the receiving sector.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of an Operational Deviation (OD) in ATC?
- To document when ATC procedures were not followed (Correct answer)
- To authorize a pilot to deviate from ATC clearance
- To record aircraft equipment malfunctions
- To update flight plan information
Correct answer: To document when ATC procedures were not followed
An Operational Deviation is an occurrence where ATC procedures in 7110.65 were not followed, requiring documentation and review.
Question 6: Under the Pilot/Controller Glossary, 'IDENT' instructs a pilot to:
- Activate the Special Position Identification (SPI) feature on the transponder (Correct answer)
- Identify themselves on the radio
- Identify their aircraft type
- Switch to a new transponder code
Correct answer: Activate the Special Position Identification (SPI) feature on the transponder
IDENT causes the aircraft's transponder to transmit a distinctive signal that makes the blip on the radar display blossom, aiding identification.
Question 7: When must ATC provide wake turbulence separation for a Small aircraft following a Heavy aircraft on the same approach path?
- When the Small aircraft is within 6 nautical miles behind the Heavy (Correct answer)
- Only when the pilot requests it
- When separated by less than 1,000 feet vertically
- Only in IFR conditions
Correct answer: When the Small aircraft is within 6 nautical miles behind the Heavy
Wake turbulence separation minima of 6 nautical miles are applied for Small aircraft following Heavy aircraft on the same final approach course.
CFC Regulatory Compliance & Air Traffic Control Coordination 3
When an IFR aircraft reports 'minimum fuel,' what is the controller's primary obligation?