CTO Airport Operations & Traffic Management 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct read-back requirement for a runway crossing clearance per FAA Order 7110.65?
- A simple 'Roger' is sufficient to acknowledge the crossing clearance
- The pilot must read back the runway designation and the clearance to cross (Correct answer)
- Only the aircraft call sign needs to be repeated
- Read-back is optional for VFR aircraft during daytime operations
Correct answer: The pilot must read back the runway designation and the clearance to cross
FAA and ICAO standards require pilots to read back runway crossing and hold short clearances, including the specific runway designation.
Question 2: What is the primary function of Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE-X)?
- To measure runway surface friction coefficients in real time
- To display the precise location of aircraft and vehicles on the airport movement area to controllers (Correct answer)
- To automatically issue taxi instructions to departing aircraft
- To control taxiway lighting based on vehicle proximity
Correct answer: To display the precise location of aircraft and vehicles on the airport movement area to controllers
ASDE-X fuses data from multiple sensors to provide controllers a real-time display of all aircraft and vehicle positions on the airport surface.
Question 3: When a controller issues 'Taxi to Runway 18 via Alpha, hold short of Runway 23,' the aircraft may cross Runway 23:
- After verifying Runway 23 is clear visually
- Only after receiving an explicit crossing clearance from ATC (Correct answer)
- If no aircraft are on final for Runway 23 within 3 miles
- Once the aircraft reaches the hold short line and pauses for 5 seconds
Correct answer: Only after receiving an explicit crossing clearance from ATC
A hold short instruction is explicit and may only be relieved by a specific ATC crossing clearance; the pilot cannot self-authorize the crossing.
Question 4: Which condition requires a controller to issue a go-around instruction to a landing aircraft?
- The aircraft is slightly high on approach glidepath
- An obstruction, vehicle, or aircraft is on the runway and separation cannot be achieved (Correct answer)
- The crosswind component exceeds 10 knots
- The aircraft calls 'gear down and locked' after the outer marker
Correct answer: An obstruction, vehicle, or aircraft is on the runway and separation cannot be achieved
Controllers must issue a go-around when the runway cannot be cleared in time or when safe separation from a preceding aircraft cannot be maintained.
Question 5: What is the meaning of the marking 'ILS Critical Area' painted on a taxiway?
- An area reserved for instrument-rated aircraft only
- A defined zone where vehicle or aircraft presence would cause interference with the ILS signal (Correct answer)
- A taxiway segment with reduced weight-bearing capacity
- A quarantine area for aircraft with electrical malfunctions
Correct answer: A defined zone where vehicle or aircraft presence would cause interference with the ILS signal
ILS critical areas protect the ILS signal from being reflected or disturbed by large metallic objects, ensuring accurate course and glideslope guidance.
Question 6: A controller notices that an aircraft has not responded to any transmissions for 5 minutes. What is the first step?
- Immediately declare an emergency for that aircraft
- Transmit on guard frequency (121.5 MHz) and attempt contact on all frequencies (Correct answer)
- Notify the pilot's airline operations center to relay a message
- Transfer the track to Center and remove it from the local display
Correct answer: Transmit on guard frequency (121.5 MHz) and attempt contact on all frequencies
Controllers should attempt contact on the emergency guard frequency 121.5 MHz and all possible frequencies before escalating to emergency procedures.
Question 7: What is the controller's responsibility regarding wake turbulence when sequencing a light aircraft behind a departing Boeing 757?
- No special action is required since the 757 is not classified as 'Heavy'
- Issue a wake turbulence caution and apply appropriate departure interval or position sequencing (Correct answer)
- Require the light aircraft to wait until the 757 is 10 miles away
- Transfer the light aircraft to TRACON for wake turbulence management
Correct answer: Issue a wake turbulence caution and apply appropriate departure interval or position sequencing
The Boeing 757 generates unusually strong wake turbulence and requires special separation standards; controllers must apply 757 wake turbulence intervals and advise following pilots.
CTO Airport Operations & Traffic Management 5
What is the correct read-back requirement for a runway crossing clearance per FAA Order 7110.65?