CTO Approach & Departure Sequencing 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the standard runway occupancy time (ROT) target that controllers use to optimize arrival throughput?
- 30 seconds
- 45 seconds
- 60 seconds (Correct answer)
- 90 seconds
Correct answer: 60 seconds
A 60-second runway occupancy time is the standard target, allowing the next aircraft to be safely sequenced onto the runway.
Question 2: During a departure sequence, what is the effect of a 'miles-in-trail' (MIT) restriction on tower operations?
- It limits the number of simultaneous runway crossings
- It requires increased spacing between successive departures to the same fix (Correct answer)
- It mandates that all departures use the same SID
- It restricts IFR departures to one per hour
Correct answer: It requires increased spacing between successive departures to the same fix
A miles-in-trail restriction requires the tower to ensure departures are spaced by the specified distance before they reach the designated fix.
Question 3: A pilot on short final reports wind shear. What immediate actions should the tower controller take?
- Cancel the landing clearance and issue a go-around
- Issue a wind shear alert and advise other aircraft in the traffic pattern (Correct answer)
- Report wind shear to the ATIS and update it at the next cycle
- Coordinate with approach control before advising other pilots
Correct answer: Issue a wind shear alert and advise other aircraft in the traffic pattern
The controller must immediately alert other aircraft in the area by broadcasting the pilot report of wind shear.
Question 4: What is a 'base turn' in approach sequencing, and when would a controller assign it?
- A published IAP procedure turn, assigned when an aircraft needs delay
- A radar vector to a base leg, used to establish an aircraft on a controlled final (Correct answer)
- A 180-degree turn used to reverse course during a missed approach
- A holding pattern entry assigned when the aircraft is too high on approach
Correct answer: A radar vector to a base leg, used to establish an aircraft on a controlled final
A base leg vector is issued by approach control to position aircraft for a controlled intercept of the final approach course.
Question 5: What does 'squeeze play' refer to in approach sequencing?
- Issuing a speed reduction to close the gap between two aircraft
- Using radar vectors to insert an additional aircraft between two already sequenced arrivals (Correct answer)
- Reducing separation standards below minimums during high-traffic periods
- Requiring pilots to use maximum landing speeds to increase throughput
Correct answer: Using radar vectors to insert an additional aircraft between two already sequenced arrivals
A squeeze play uses radar vectors to fit an additional aircraft into an existing gap in the arrival sequence.
Question 6: When must a tower controller discontinue a LAHSO operation in progress?
- When the crossing runway aircraft is more than 1 mile from the intersection
- When the landing aircraft reports unable to comply or when VMC is not maintained (Correct answer)
- When the landing aircraft is below 500 feet AGL
- When traffic on the crossing runway is moving faster than 30 knots
Correct answer: When the landing aircraft reports unable to comply or when VMC is not maintained
LAHSO must be discontinued if the pilot reports unable to comply or if visual meteorological conditions are not maintained.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a 'downwind extension' issued to an arriving VFR aircraft?
- To allow the aircraft to conduct a visual inspection of the runway
- To create additional spacing before turning the aircraft to base and final (Correct answer)
- To assign the aircraft a longer route to increase fuel burn for sequencing
- To delay the aircraft while IFR traffic completes instrument approaches
Correct answer: To create additional spacing before turning the aircraft to base and final
Extending an aircraft's downwind leg creates spacing between it and preceding traffic before turning to base and final.
CTO Approach & Departure Sequencing 4
What is the standard runway occupancy time (ROT) target that controllers use to optimize arrival throughput?