CTO Coordination with Radar Facilities 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When TRACON provides an IFR departure with a 'clearance void time,' what does this mean for the tower?
- The aircraft must land before that time
- If the aircraft does not depart by that time, the clearance is canceled and TRACON must be notified (Correct answer)
- The aircraft is cleared to depart at any time after that time
- The tower must relay the void time to ARTCC only
Correct answer: If the aircraft does not depart by that time, the clearance is canceled and TRACON must be notified
A clearance void time means the IFR clearance expires at that time; if the aircraft does not depart, the tower must notify TRACON immediately so the IFR slot can be released.
Question 2: A radar facility issues an altitude assignment to an aircraft. If the tower controller needs to deviate from that altitude for traffic purposes, the tower must:
- Issue the new altitude without coordination since tower has authority in Class D
- Coordinate with the radar facility before changing the assigned altitude (Correct answer)
- Issue the altitude only below 1,000 feet AGL
- Defer the deviation until the aircraft leaves Class D airspace
Correct answer: Coordinate with the radar facility before changing the assigned altitude
Altitude assignments issued by radar facilities must be coordinated before being changed by the tower to maintain separation standards and controller awareness.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a 'release' in tower-TRACON coordination for departures?
- Authorization for the aircraft to file a new flight plan
- TRACON's approval for the tower to issue a takeoff clearance to an IFR departure (Correct answer)
- Permission for the tower to assign a different SID
- A TRACON instruction canceling a departure's ATC clearance
Correct answer: TRACON's approval for the tower to issue a takeoff clearance to an IFR departure
A release is TRACON's authorization granting the tower permission to issue a takeoff clearance for an IFR departure into radar airspace.
Question 4: Under what condition may a tower controller approve a VFR aircraft to transition through Class C airspace without contacting the radar facility?
- When the aircraft is below 500 feet AGL
- When the tower has approved the transition and coordinated with approach control (Correct answer)
- When visibility exceeds 10 miles
- Never — Class C always requires radar contact
Correct answer: When the tower has approved the transition and coordinated with approach control
A pilot must establish two-way communications with the approach control facility for Class C, but the tower can facilitate coordination if the approach control agrees to the arrangement.
Question 5: If a tower controller observes a conflict between two IFR aircraft that are under TRACON control, the tower should:
- Immediately issue traffic alerts to both aircraft
- Contact TRACON immediately to alert them of the observed conflict (Correct answer)
- Take over control of both aircraft
- Issue a SIGMET for the airport area
Correct answer: Contact TRACON immediately to alert them of the observed conflict
The tower should immediately notify TRACON of the observed conflict because TRACON has radar separation responsibility for those aircraft.
Question 6: What information must a tower controller include when performing a 'verbal handoff' to a radar facility for a departing aircraft?
- Pilot's certificate number and medical expiration
- Aircraft call sign, type, assigned altitude, and squawk code (Correct answer)
- Full flight plan route and alternate airport
- Aircraft weight and fuel on board
Correct answer: Aircraft call sign, type, assigned altitude, and squawk code
A verbal handoff includes the aircraft's call sign, aircraft type, assigned altitude, and beacon code so the radar facility can identify and assume control of the aircraft.
Question 7: When a TRACON is experiencing radar outage, what is the tower's primary responsibility regarding IFR traffic?
- Cancel all IFR clearances immediately
- Coordinate with ARTCC to apply non-radar separation and restrict IFR releases as needed (Correct answer)
- Automatically convert all IFR flights to VFR
- Issue ATIS advisories only
Correct answer: Coordinate with ARTCC to apply non-radar separation and restrict IFR releases as needed
During a TRACON radar outage, the tower coordinates with ARTCC to apply non-radar separation procedures and may need to restrict IFR departure releases until radar service is restored.
CTO Coordination with Radar Facilities 3
When TRACON provides an IFR departure with a 'clearance void time,' what does this mean for the tower?