CTO Clearance Delivery & Ground Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which FAA publication is the primary reference for air traffic control procedures at tower facilities?
- FAR Part 91
- 7110.65 Air Traffic Control Order (Correct answer)
- Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
- Airport/Facility Directory
Correct answer: 7110.65 Air Traffic Control Order
FAA Order 7110.65 is the primary directive governing ATC procedures for all FAA controller positions including tower operations.
Question 2: Ground Control observes a vehicle on a taxiway that has not acknowledged its last transmission. What is the appropriate first action?
- Issue a land-and-hold-short instruction to inbound aircraft
- Attempt to contact the vehicle again using its call sign (Correct answer)
- Immediately close the taxiway and reroute all aircraft
- Notify security and wait for their response
Correct answer: Attempt to contact the vehicle again using its call sign
The controller should first attempt to re-establish communication with the vehicle before escalating to other actions.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a 'PDC' (Pre-Departure Clearance) system?
- To issue taxi clearances digitally to pilots
- To deliver IFR clearances to aircraft via data link, reducing frequency congestion (Correct answer)
- To pre-approve gate pushback times
- To transmit ATIS information to cockpit displays
Correct answer: To deliver IFR clearances to aircraft via data link, reducing frequency congestion
PDC systems deliver IFR clearances via ACARS data link, freeing the Clearance Delivery frequency from voice readbacks.
Question 4: When must a pilot obtain a clearance before entering Class B airspace?
- Only when flying IFR
- Always, regardless of flight rules or aircraft type (Correct answer)
- Only when above 10,000 feet MSL
- Only during peak traffic hours as designated by the facility
Correct answer: Always, regardless of flight rules or aircraft type
All aircraft, regardless of IFR or VFR flight rules, must receive an ATC clearance before entering Class B airspace.
Question 5: A Ground Controller notices two aircraft are converging on an unmarked intersection. The immediate action is to:
- Wait to see if the pilots resolve the conflict themselves
- Issue stop instructions to one or both aircraft to prevent collision (Correct answer)
- Advise both pilots of traffic and let them coordinate
- Declare a ground emergency and evacuate the area
Correct answer: Issue stop instructions to one or both aircraft to prevent collision
Ground Control must immediately issue hold position or stop instructions to prevent a ground collision when a conflict is detected.
Question 6: What is 'progressive taxi' and when is it used?
- A fast taxi clearance for time-critical aircraft
- Step-by-step taxi instructions issued incrementally, used for pilot unfamiliarity or complex routing (Correct answer)
- A priority taxi routing for air carrier aircraft
- Taxi instructions issued in the language of the pilot's country of origin
Correct answer: Step-by-step taxi instructions issued incrementally, used for pilot unfamiliarity or complex routing
Progressive taxi provides turn-by-turn guidance to pilots unfamiliar with the airport or when routing is particularly complex.
Question 7: An IFR aircraft has received its clearance and is ready to push back. Ground Control notices the push-back path conflicts with a fuel truck. What should the controller do?
- Issue push-back approval and rely on the pilot to see the truck
- Delay push-back approval and coordinate clearance of the conflict first (Correct answer)
- Issue push-back approval with a traffic advisory only
- Transfer responsibility to the airline ramp agent
Correct answer: Delay push-back approval and coordinate clearance of the conflict first
Ground Control must ensure the push-back area is clear of conflicts before approving movement to prevent ground incidents.
CTO Clearance Delivery & Ground Control 3
Which FAA publication is the primary reference for air traffic control procedures at tower facilities?