CTO Air Traffic Control Procedures & Communications 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When must a tower controller obtain a read-back of a 'hold short of runway' instruction?
- Only when the aircraft is a large category aircraft
- Always — every hold short instruction requires a full read-back (Correct answer)
- Only during low visibility operations
- Only if the aircraft is crossing more than one runway
Correct answer: Always — every hold short instruction requires a full read-back
FAA Order 7110.65 requires that hold short instructions always receive a full, verbatim read-back from the pilot, regardless of conditions.
Question 2: A departing aircraft is cleared for takeoff but the pilot reports the runway lights are off. What is the controller's immediate priority?
- Advise the pilot to use taxi lights and proceed
- Cancel the takeoff clearance and investigate the lighting failure before further departures (Correct answer)
- Issue a NOTAM and continue operations at pilot's discretion
- Transfer authority to the TRACON
Correct answer: Cancel the takeoff clearance and investigate the lighting failure before further departures
A lighting failure on an active runway is a safety hazard requiring immediate cancellation of the takeoff clearance and investigation before operations continue.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a 'traffic alert' issued by the tower controller?
- To transfer radar identification to another sector
- To alert a pilot to conflicting traffic when a collision risk exists (Correct answer)
- To notify the TRACON of VFR aircraft entering Class D
- To request a pilot squawk ident for identification
Correct answer: To alert a pilot to conflicting traffic when a collision risk exists
A traffic alert is issued when the controller believes a collision risk exists and directs the pilot to take immediate action to avoid the conflicting traffic.
Question 4: Which communication standard requires tower controllers to use the 24-hour clock for all time references?
- FAA Order 7110.65, Air Traffic Control (Correct answer)
- FAR Part 135
- Advisory Circular 90-48
- NOTAM System Order 7930.2
Correct answer: FAA Order 7110.65, Air Traffic Control
FAA Order 7110.65 establishes that all ATC time references use the 24-hour UTC clock to ensure standardized and unambiguous communications.
Question 5: During a ground stop, which aircraft are typically exempt from the restriction?
- All turbine-powered aircraft
- Airborne aircraft already in receipt of an ATC clearance to the affected airport (Correct answer)
- All aircraft with a filed IFR flight plan
- No aircraft are exempt; all operations cease
Correct answer: Airborne aircraft already in receipt of an ATC clearance to the affected airport
A ground stop restricts departures but airborne aircraft already cleared to the destination airport typically continue unless otherwise directed by the controlling agency.
Question 6: What phraseology should a tower controller use to issue a visual approach clearance?
- 'Cleared visual approach, Runway [number]' (Correct answer)
- 'Proceed visual, Runway [number], report field in sight'
- 'Visual approach authorized, descend at pilot's discretion'
- 'Execute visual, contact tower on [frequency]'
Correct answer: 'Cleared visual approach, Runway [number]'
The standard phraseology for a visual approach clearance per FAA Order 7110.65 is 'Cleared visual approach' followed by the runway designation.
Question 7: An aircraft declares a full emergency ('Mayday'). Which transponder code should the pilot squawk if not already assigned one?
- 7500
- 7600
- 7700 (Correct answer)
- 0000
Correct answer: 7700
Transponder code 7700 is the universal emergency code; pilots not already assigned a discrete code should squawk 7700 when declaring a Mayday.
CTO Air Traffic Control Procedures & Communications 5
When must a tower controller obtain a read-back of a 'hold short of runway' instruction?