CTO Aviation Safety & Emergency Response 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a pilot declares MAYDAY, what priority does the controller assign to that aircraft?
- Standard sequencing priority
- Immediate landing priority over all other traffic (Correct answer)
- Priority only after current traffic clears
- Priority at pilot's discretion
Correct answer: Immediate landing priority over all other traffic
A MAYDAY declaration signals a life-threatening emergency requiring the controller to clear all traffic and provide immediate priority landing to the distressed aircraft.
Question 2: What is the correct phraseology a controller uses to acknowledge an aircraft squawking 7700?
- 'Roger, standby for instructions'
- '[Callsign], radar contact, state the nature of your emergency' (Correct answer)
- '[Callsign], squawk ident and maintain altitude'
- '[Callsign], contact approach control immediately'
Correct answer: '[Callsign], radar contact, state the nature of your emergency'
Upon observing a 7700 squawk, the controller should establish contact, confirm radar identification, and request the nature of the emergency to coordinate response.
Question 3: Which condition requires a controller to initiate an Aircraft Accident/Incident report (FAA Form 8020-9)?
- Any go-around in instrument conditions
- A runway incursion involving potential collision risk (Correct answer)
- An aircraft requesting progressive taxi
- Any pilot deviation from a heading
Correct answer: A runway incursion involving potential collision risk
Runway incursions with potential collision risk are among the mandatory reporting events that require completion of FAA Form 8020-9.
Question 4: During an aircraft emergency, the controller should notify which agency FIRST at airports without crash/fire/rescue on field?
- The FAA Flight Standards District Office
- The nearest Air Route Traffic Control Center
- Local emergency services (fire/police/medical) (Correct answer)
- The airline operations center
Correct answer: Local emergency services (fire/police/medical)
When ARFF is not available on-field, the controller must immediately alert local emergency services to position them for a potential accident.
Question 5: What action should a tower controller take when an aircraft reports an engine fire on departure?
- Advise the pilot to return via standard traffic pattern
- Clear the runway immediately and notify ARFF (Correct answer)
- Request the pilot climb to pattern altitude first
- Issue vectors to the nearest alternate airport
Correct answer: Clear the runway immediately and notify ARFF
An engine fire is an immediate emergency; the controller clears all runways and taxiways and activates ARFF to be positioned for the aircraft's return or crash landing.
Question 6: A 'NOTAM D' related to a runway closure at your airport must be issued how far in advance when possible?
- At least 6 hours (Correct answer)
- At least 30 minutes
- Immediately upon closure without advance notice requirements
- At least 24 hours
Correct answer: At least 6 hours
FAA Order 7930.2 recommends issuing runway closure NOTAMs at least 6 hours in advance to give pilots and dispatch adequate planning time.
Question 7: When bird activity is observed near active runways, what is the controller's responsibility?
- Inform the pilot only if they request a hazard advisory
- Issue a bird advisory to all aircraft on frequency and notify airport operations (Correct answer)
- Close the runway until all birds depart
- Contact the FAA Wildlife Strike Database directly
Correct answer: Issue a bird advisory to all aircraft on frequency and notify airport operations
Controllers must broadcast bird hazard advisories to all affected aircraft and coordinate with airport operations to initiate wildlife dispersal procedures.
CTO Aviation Safety & Emergency Response 2
When a pilot declares MAYDAY, what priority does the controller assign to that aircraft?