CTO Airport Operations & Traffic Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a Runway Incursion Prevention Program (RIPP) at a towered airport?
- To schedule runway maintenance during low-traffic periods
- To prevent unauthorized vehicles and aircraft from entering active runways (Correct answer)
- To coordinate fuel truck access to parked aircraft
- To manage passenger boarding gate assignments
Correct answer: To prevent unauthorized vehicles and aircraft from entering active runways
RIPP programs are designed to prevent unauthorized or incorrect presence of aircraft, vehicles, or persons on runways to reduce collision risk.
Question 2: An aircraft requests a 'short approach' in the traffic pattern. What does the controller authorize?
- A straight-in approach bypassing the pattern entirely
- A reduced-distance final leg by cutting the pattern shorter than normal (Correct answer)
- An immediate landing without sequencing
- A go-around after a low pass
Correct answer: A reduced-distance final leg by cutting the pattern shorter than normal
A short approach allows the pilot to reduce the length of the final approach leg, tightening the traffic pattern when separation and traffic permit.
Question 3: Which ATIS element is broadcast first per FAA Order 7110.65 standards?
- Wind and altimeter
- Airport name, phonetic identifier, and time of observation (Correct answer)
- Runway in use and NOTAMs
- Approach in use and ceiling/visibility
Correct answer: Airport name, phonetic identifier, and time of observation
ATIS broadcasts begin with the airport name, the phonetic letter designation (e.g., 'Information Alpha'), and the time of observation.
Question 4: What action must a tower controller take when a pilot reports a bird strike on departure?
- Issue a PIREP to adjacent centers only
- Advise all aircraft in the pattern and file a Wildlife Strike Report (Correct answer)
- Cancel all IFR departure clearances immediately
- Halt all traffic until the runway is inspected by the FAA
Correct answer: Advise all aircraft in the pattern and file a Wildlife Strike Report
The controller must advise other aircraft of the hazard and initiate a Wildlife Strike Report per FAA wildlife hazard management requirements.
Question 5: Under what condition may a tower controller issue a 'Land and Hold Short' (LAHSO) clearance?
- Any time the runway is long enough for the landing aircraft
- Only when the pilot accepts the clearance and weather meets minimums for the intersecting runway (Correct answer)
- Only during night operations to reduce traffic density
- Whenever an intersecting runway has an aircraft on a 2-mile final
Correct answer: Only when the pilot accepts the clearance and weather meets minimums for the intersecting runway
LAHSO requires pilot acceptance, dry runway conditions, and requires the controller to verify the Available Landing Distance (ALD) is sufficient for the aircraft.
Question 6: What does a flashing green light signal directed at an aircraft on the ground mean?
- Cleared for takeoff
- Cleared to taxi (Correct answer)
- Return to starting point on airport
- Stop
Correct answer: Cleared to taxi
A flashing green light signal to an aircraft on the ground means 'cleared to taxi.'
Question 7: A controller issues 'Runway 28, cleared to land, wind 260 at 12.' What information does the wind component convey?
- A direct tailwind of 12 knots on final approach
- A slight crosswind from the left with a mostly headwind component (Correct answer)
- A direct headwind of 12 knots aligned with the runway
- A right crosswind requiring correction on short final
Correct answer: A slight crosswind from the left with a mostly headwind component
Wind 260 with Runway 28 (280°) means the wind is 20° left of runway heading, producing a predominantly headwind with a small left crosswind component.
CTO Airport Operations & Traffic Management 2
What is the primary purpose of a Runway Incursion Prevention Program (RIPP) at a towered airport?