CTO Approach & Departure Sequencing 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What phraseology does a tower controller use to cancel a previously issued approach clearance?
- 'Disregard approach clearance, runway closed'
- 'Clearance cancelled, [reason], fly runway heading'
- 'Go around, [reason], [instructions]' (Correct answer)
- 'Hold position, approach clearance invalid'
Correct answer: 'Go around, [reason], [instructions]'
A go-around instruction effectively cancels the approach clearance and must include the reason and missed approach/climb instructions.
Question 2: Which factor most directly determines the sequence of IFR departures when multiple aircraft are ready for takeoff?
- Aircraft type and size
- Proposed departure time filed in the flight plan
- Fix sequencing to avoid conflicts and meet en route restrictions (Correct answer)
- Pilot request and fuel state
Correct answer: Fix sequencing to avoid conflicts and meet en route restrictions
Departure fix and route deconfliction, along with en route restrictions, primarily drive the sequencing order of IFR departures.
Question 3: A helicopter is operating in the traffic pattern with fixed-wing aircraft. What sequencing consideration applies?
- Helicopters must always land before fixed-wing aircraft
- Helicopters may use runways or off-runway areas and must be integrated to maintain separation from fixed-wing traffic (Correct answer)
- Helicopters are prohibited from the traffic pattern when fixed-wing aircraft are present
- Helicopters must operate at 500 feet below fixed-wing traffic at all times
Correct answer: Helicopters may use runways or off-runway areas and must be integrated to maintain separation from fixed-wing traffic
Helicopters can use runways or designated areas and must be sequenced by the controller to maintain separation from fixed-wing aircraft.
Question 4: What is the 'final approach course' and how does it relate to sequencing?
- The extended centerline of the runway used to align arriving aircraft for landing (Correct answer)
- The published SID route used by departing aircraft
- The airspace within 5 miles of the runway threshold reserved for arrivals
- The altitude profile aircraft must follow during the last segment of an IAP
Correct answer: The extended centerline of the runway used to align arriving aircraft for landing
The final approach course is the extended runway centerline that arriving aircraft are aligned to, and sequencing ensures proper spacing along this path.
Question 5: When two aircraft are on converging courses both inbound to the same runway, what sequencing action is most appropriate?
- Clear both aircraft simultaneously to different touchdown zones
- Vector one aircraft to extend downwind or delay to establish a single file sequence (Correct answer)
- Issue traffic advisories and let pilots determine their own sequence
- Assign opposite runways to each aircraft immediately
Correct answer: Vector one aircraft to extend downwind or delay to establish a single file sequence
The controller must vector one aircraft to create a single-file sequence and eliminate the converging conflict before issuing landing clearances.
Question 6: What is 'reduced runway separation' (RRS) and under what conditions may it be applied?
- Separation less than 3 NM applied during low visibility operations
- A program allowing landing clearance to be issued when the landing runway is occupied but the preceding aircraft is past a defined point, applied only in VMC (Correct answer)
- Separation minima reduced below wake turbulence standards at pilot request
- A shortening of the approach spacing to 2.5 NM applied during peak traffic hours
Correct answer: A program allowing landing clearance to be issued when the landing runway is occupied but the preceding aircraft is past a defined point, applied only in VMC
RRS allows a landing clearance when the preceding aircraft is past a specific point on the runway, used only in visual meteorological conditions.
Question 7: A departure aircraft is assigned a climb to 5,000 feet on runway heading. An arrival is on a 6-mile final at 3,000 feet. What must the tower ensure before issuing takeoff clearance?
- The arrival must complete the landing before the departure rolls
- Separation will exist between the climbing departure and the descending arrival, either by time, altitude, or visual separation (Correct answer)
- The departure must reach 5,000 feet before the arrival crosses the threshold
- The arrival must execute a go-around before the departure is cleared
Correct answer: Separation will exist between the climbing departure and the descending arrival, either by time, altitude, or visual separation
The tower must ensure that separation standards will be met between the departing and arriving aircraft before issuing the takeoff clearance.
CTO Approach & Departure Sequencing 5
What phraseology does a tower controller use to cancel a previously issued approach clearance?