CTO Aviation Safety & Emergency Response 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'runway incursion' as defined by the FAA?
- Any unauthorized entry onto airport property
- Any occurrence at an aerodrome involving incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on the protected area (Correct answer)
- A pilot's failure to follow ATC instructions during landing
- An aircraft crossing a runway without clearance only
Correct answer: Any occurrence at an aerodrome involving incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on the protected area
The FAA defines a runway incursion as any occurrence involving incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person in the protected area of a surface designated for aircraft landings and takeoffs.
Question 2: Which transponder code should a controller assign to an aircraft experiencing a two-way radio communication failure?
- 7500
- 7600 (Correct answer)
- 7700
- 7000
Correct answer: 7600
Squawk 7600 indicates loss of communications (NORDO), alerting ATC and other facilities that the pilot is following lost-communications procedures.
Question 3: Under FAA Order 7110.65, what is a controller required to do when they observe a potential wake turbulence hazard for a trailing aircraft?
- Issue a wake turbulence advisory only if the pilot requests it
- Apply required wake turbulence separation and issue an advisory (Correct answer)
- Increase lateral separation but no advisory is needed
- Transfer the aircraft to approach control immediately
Correct answer: Apply required wake turbulence separation and issue an advisory
Controllers must apply prescribed wake turbulence separation minima and issue advisories so pilots are aware of the potential hazard.
Question 4: What is the minimum visibility required to conduct a land-and-hold-short operation (LAHSO) at a towered airport?
- 1 statute mile
- 3 statute miles (Correct answer)
- 5 statute miles
- Half statute mile
Correct answer: 3 statute miles
FAA Order 7110.65 requires at least 3 statute miles visibility for LAHSO operations to ensure pilots can see the hold-short point in time to stop.
Question 5: When a controller issues a traffic alert and a Safety Alert to a pilot, what is the preferred controller action sequence?
- Issue the alert, then provide a recommended heading and altitude (Correct answer)
- Issue only the alert without providing recommendations to avoid interfering with pilot authority
- Contact the airline dispatch first, then issue the alert
- Advise the pilot to check TCAS and take no further action
Correct answer: Issue the alert, then provide a recommended heading and altitude
FAA Order 7110.65 directs controllers to issue the Safety Alert immediately and then suggest a course of action when practical to help the pilot resolve the conflict.
Question 6: What is the purpose of the Pilot Deviation (PD) notification required by FAA Order 7110.65?
- To immediately revoke the pilot's certificate
- To inform the pilot so they may request an explanation of the situation from a supervisor (Correct answer)
- To generate an automatic enforcement action
- To transfer responsibility for the incident to the pilot's airline
Correct answer: To inform the pilot so they may request an explanation of the situation from a supervisor
Controllers are required to advise pilots of a deviation so the pilot is aware and may contact the supervisor to discuss the circumstances before any enforcement action.
Question 7: During a ground emergency with an aircraft reporting a blown tire on landing rollout, what is the FIRST controller action?
- Clear the runway for the next departure
- Notify ARFF and keep other aircraft clear of the runway (Correct answer)
- Instruct the pilot to taxi to the gate immediately
- Transfer frequency to ground control
Correct answer: Notify ARFF and keep other aircraft clear of the runway
A blown tire can cause loss of directional control and fire; the controller immediately activates ARFF and protects the runway from all traffic.
CTO Aviation Safety & Emergency Response 3
What is a 'runway incursion' as defined by the FAA?