CPL Air Law and Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What specific clearance wording is required before a pilot may enter Class B airspace under 14 CFR 91.131?
- 'Radar contact' from approach control
- An explicit clearance using the phrase 'cleared into the Class B airspace' (Correct answer)
- A squawk code assignment from the TRACON
- Any acknowledgment of the pilot's position by ATC
Correct answer: An explicit clearance using the phrase 'cleared into the Class B airspace'
14 CFR 91.131 requires an explicit ATC clearance containing the words 'cleared into the Class B airspace'; radar contact or a squawk assignment alone does not constitute authorization.
Question 2: What is the primary distinction between a NOTAM (D) and an FDC NOTAM?
- NOTAM (D) addresses instrument procedure changes; FDC NOTAMs cover facility outages
- NOTAM (D) covers domestic airspace and facility information; FDC NOTAMs address regulatory and chart amendments (Correct answer)
- NOTAM (D) is issued by military authorities; FDC NOTAMs are issued by the FAA only
- NOTAM (D) expires in 24 hours; FDC NOTAMs remain indefinitely
Correct answer: NOTAM (D) covers domestic airspace and facility information; FDC NOTAMs address regulatory and chart amendments
NOTAM (D) covers time-critical information about airspace, facilities, and hazards; FDC NOTAMs (Flight Data Center) address changes to published instrument procedures, charts, and regulatory amendments.
Question 3: Under 14 CFR 91.215, which aircraft must be equipped with a Mode C transponder when operating in or above Class C airspace?
- Only turbine-powered aircraft
- Only aircraft above 12,500 lbs MGTOW
- All aircraft, with limited exceptions specified in the regulation (Correct answer)
- Only aircraft conducting IFR operations
Correct answer: All aircraft, with limited exceptions specified in the regulation
14 CFR 91.215 requires Mode C altitude-encoding transponders on all aircraft operating in Class C airspace and above 10,000 feet MSL, with a narrow set of exceptions for specific aircraft types.
Question 4: ATC issues a hold-short instruction which the pilot reads back incorrectly, and the controller does not correct it. If the pilot then crosses the runway, who bears primary legal responsibility?
- The ATC controller, for failing to correct the erroneous readback
- Shared equally between the controller and the PIC
- The PIC, because the pilot-in-command is ultimately responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft (Correct answer)
- The airline dispatcher who issued the taxi clearance
Correct answer: The PIC, because the pilot-in-command is ultimately responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft
Under 14 CFR 91.3, the PIC bears ultimate responsibility for the safe operation of the aircraft, including runway incursion avoidance, regardless of controller error.
Question 5: When ATC issues 'turn left heading 270, vectors to final,' which previously issued clearances remain in effect?
- All altitude restrictions are automatically cancelled
- Only the departure clearance remains in effect
- All previously assigned altitude restrictions remain in effect unless explicitly cancelled (Correct answer)
- The pilot may choose any altitude below the assigned cruise level
Correct answer: All previously assigned altitude restrictions remain in effect unless explicitly cancelled
A vectors-to-final instruction changes only the heading assignment; altitude restrictions from previous clearances remain in effect until ATC explicitly cancels or modifies them.
Question 6: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) established under 14 CFR 91.137(a)(2) is designed to protect which type of operation?
- VIP movement such as presidential travel
- Persons and property on the ground from hazardous conditions
- Disaster relief aircraft conducting operations in the area (Correct answer)
- Sightseeing aircraft from congestion near an incident
Correct answer: Disaster relief aircraft conducting operations in the area
14 CFR 91.137(a)(2) TFRs create a safe operating environment for aircraft involved in disaster relief efforts, separating relief operations from other traffic.
Question 7: What transponder code should a pilot squawk when experiencing a two-way radio communication failure in VFR conditions?
- 7500
- 7600 (Correct answer)
- 7700
- 1200
Correct answer: 7600
Squawk 7600 signals a radio communication failure (NORDO) to ATC, whether the loss occurs under VFR or IFR.
CPL Air Law and Procedures 3
What specific clearance wording is required before a pilot may enter Class B airspace under 14 CFR 91.131?