CTO Air Traffic Control Procedures & Communications 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under what condition may a tower controller authorize a pilot to change to CTAF without issuing specific departure instructions?
- When the aircraft is departing VFR from an uncontrolled satellite airport within the Class D surface area (Correct answer)
- When the pilot is an ATP certificate holder
- Whenever the airport is operating in VFR conditions
- When the aircraft is in radar contact with the TRACON
Correct answer: When the aircraft is departing VFR from an uncontrolled satellite airport within the Class D surface area
Aircraft departing VFR from satellite airports within a Class D surface area may be instructed to change to CTAF for self-announce procedures.
Question 2: Which statement correctly describes the difference between a 'clearance' and an 'instruction'?
- Clearances authorize flight through controlled airspace; instructions direct specific pilot actions (Correct answer)
- Instructions are issued only by approach control; clearances by tower only
- Clearances are mandatory; instructions are advisory
- There is no operational difference between the two terms
Correct answer: Clearances authorize flight through controlled airspace; instructions direct specific pilot actions
An ATC clearance authorizes an aircraft to proceed under specified conditions, while an instruction directs a pilot to take a specific action.
Question 3: What is the correct phraseology when canceling an IFR clearance for a departing aircraft that will operate VFR?
- 'Clearance void, proceed VFR'
- 'IFR flight plan closed, squawk VFR'
- 'Cancel IFR clearance, [aircraft ID] IFR flight plan cancelled' (Correct answer)
- 'Departure IFR cancelled, maintain VFR'
Correct answer: 'Cancel IFR clearance, [aircraft ID] IFR flight plan cancelled'
FAA Order 7110.65 specifies the phrase 'Cancel IFR clearance' followed by confirmation that the IFR flight plan is cancelled.
Question 4: A controller observes a Mode C altitude readout that conflicts with the pilot's reported altitude. The required initial action is to:
- Immediately file a Safety Report
- Advise the pilot and request they verify their altitude (Correct answer)
- Disregard the Mode C until radar contact is confirmed
- Notify the supervisor and take the sector offline
Correct answer: Advise the pilot and request they verify their altitude
When a Mode C discrepancy exists, the controller must advise the pilot and request altitude verification to resolve the conflict.
Question 5: During simultaneous runway operations, which situation requires the controller to obtain supervisor approval before proceeding?
- Issuing LAHSO clearances during IMC (Correct answer)
- Authorizing VFR pattern work during light traffic
- Using intersection departures for heavy aircraft
- Issuing back-taxi instructions at night
Correct answer: Issuing LAHSO clearances during IMC
LAHSO operations are prohibited in IMC; attempting to implement them would require supervisory intervention and are not authorized.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS)?
- To replace all verbal pilot communications
- To provide pilots with current non-control airport information, reducing frequency congestion (Correct answer)
- To relay IFR clearances to departing aircraft
- To broadcast weather data exclusively for approach controllers
Correct answer: To provide pilots with current non-control airport information, reducing frequency congestion
ATIS provides routine airport information such as weather, active runways, and NOTAMs so pilots have it before contacting controllers, reducing frequency congestion.
Question 7: A pilot requests 'frequency change approved' to contact ground control. When is this phrase most appropriately used by the tower?
- After landing rollout when instructing the aircraft to contact ground (Correct answer)
- When handing off an IFR aircraft to departure control
- Only when operating in Class C airspace
- Whenever a pilot requests a frequency change during approach
Correct answer: After landing rollout when instructing the aircraft to contact ground
'Frequency change approved' is used by tower to release a landed aircraft to contact ground control after clearing the runway.
CTO Air Traffic Control Procedures & Communications 3
Under what condition may a tower controller authorize a pilot to change to CTAF without issuing specific departure instructions?