CTO Light Gun Signals & Lost Communications 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under NORDO (no radio) procedures, how does a pilot on the ground acknowledge a light gun signal at night?
- Flash landing lights twice
- Rock wings
- Flash navigation lights on and off (Correct answer)
- Turn on strobes
Correct answer: Flash navigation lights on and off
At night, a pilot on the ground acknowledges light gun signals by flashing the aircraft's navigation lights on and off.
Question 2: Which FAR part establishes the requirement for pilots to follow ATC light gun signals when radio communications are lost?
- 14 CFR Part 61
- 14 CFR Part 91 (Correct answer)
- 14 CFR Part 121
- 14 CFR Part 135
Correct answer: 14 CFR Part 91
14 CFR Part 91 establishes operating rules for all aircraft, including procedures for lost communications and light gun signal compliance.
Question 3: A controller issues a steady green light to an aircraft in flight. What clearance does this convey?
- Cleared for takeoff
- Cleared to land (Correct answer)
- Continue approach
- Proceed to the runway
Correct answer: Cleared to land
A steady green light directed at an aircraft in flight means cleared to land.
Question 4: During a two-way radio failure in IMC, a pilot should squawk what transponder code before attempting an instrument approach?
- 7500
- 7600 (Correct answer)
- 7700
- 1200
Correct answer: 7600
Code 7600 is the transponder squawk for two-way radio failure (lost communications).
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of light gun signals in modern ATC operations?
- To supplement radar information
- To communicate with aircraft that have lost two-way radio communications (Correct answer)
- To guide aircraft in low-visibility conditions
- To replace ATIS broadcasts during equipment outages
Correct answer: To communicate with aircraft that have lost two-way radio communications
Light gun signals are primarily used to communicate with aircraft that have lost two-way radio communications.
Question 6: A flashing green light on the ground from the tower means what to the pilot?
- Cleared for takeoff (Correct answer)
- Cleared to taxi
- Return to starting point on the airport
- Cleared to cross the active runway
Correct answer: Cleared for takeoff
A flashing green light directed at an aircraft on the ground means cleared for takeoff.
Question 7: When an IFR aircraft experiences radio failure in VMC, 14 CFR 91.185 requires the pilot to continue the flight under VMC and land at which airport?
- The nearest suitable airport (Correct answer)
- The departure airport
- The destination airport
- An alternate airport listed on the flight plan
Correct answer: The nearest suitable airport
In VMC, a pilot experiencing radio failure must continue VFR and land at the nearest suitable airport.
CTO Light Gun Signals & Lost Communications 3
Under NORDO (no radio) procedures, how does a pilot on the ground acknowledge a light gun signal at night?