CTO Non-Towered Airport Operations 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When is a pilot-controlled lighting (PCL) system typically found at a non-towered airport?
- Only at airports with instrument approaches
- At airports where runway lights are not staffed full-time (Correct answer)
- Exclusively at military airfields
- Only when visibility is below 3 miles
Correct answer: At airports where runway lights are not staffed full-time
PCL systems allow pilots to activate runway and approach lighting via CTAF radio clicks when the airport is unattended or the lights are not on continuously.
Question 2: How many times must a pilot click the microphone to activate pilot-controlled lighting at its brightest setting?
- 3 clicks within 5 seconds
- 5 clicks within 5 seconds
- 7 clicks within 5 seconds (Correct answer)
- 10 clicks within 5 seconds
Correct answer: 7 clicks within 5 seconds
Seven clicks within 5 seconds activates runway lights at maximum intensity; 5 clicks = medium, 3 clicks = low.
Question 3: At a non-towered airport, what does a steady red light signal from a handheld light gun (used by a ground station) mean to a pilot in the air?
- Cleared to land
- Give way to other aircraft and continue circling (Correct answer)
- Airport unsafe, do not land
- Return to starting point on the ground
Correct answer: Give way to other aircraft and continue circling
A steady red light to an aircraft in flight means give way to other aircraft and continue circling; it is a hold for sequencing signal.
Question 4: What minimum radio equipment is legally required for a VFR flight to a non-towered airport that lies outside Class B, C, or D airspace?
- A two-way radio is required
- A transponder with Mode C is required
- No radio equipment is legally required (Correct answer)
- An ELT and radio are both required
Correct answer: No radio equipment is legally required
FAR 91.215 requires transponders in certain airspace, but no regulation requires a radio for VFR flight to non-towered airports outside Class B/C/D airspace.
Question 5: An aircraft without a radio lands at a non-towered airport. Where should the pilot look for light gun signals from a ground controller?
- The UNICOM building
- The segmented circle center
- The airport traffic control facility or designated signal area (Correct answer)
- The fuel pump island
Correct answer: The airport traffic control facility or designated signal area
If any controlling authority exists, light gun signals come from the control facility or a designated signal point on the field.
Question 6: What FAA publication provides approach procedures and airport diagrams for non-towered airports that have instrument approaches?
- VFR Sectional Chart
- Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP / approach plates) (Correct answer)
- Chart Supplement only
- Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
Correct answer: Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP / approach plates)
The Terminal Procedures Publication (digital or paper approach plates) contains IAP procedures, airport diagrams, and minimums for all airports with published instrument approaches.
Question 7: When two aircraft are approaching a non-towered airport from opposite ends of the same runway, what should each pilot do?
- The heavier aircraft has priority to land
- Both pilots should abandon the approach and divert
- Each pilot should maneuver to enter a standard left-hand traffic pattern and sequence with the other aircraft (Correct answer)
- The aircraft with more fuel remaining should go around
Correct answer: Each pilot should maneuver to enter a standard left-hand traffic pattern and sequence with the other aircraft
Both pilots should maneuver for the standard traffic pattern, communicate on CTAF, and sequence visually to avoid conflict.
CTO Non-Towered Airport Operations 4
When is a pilot-controlled lighting (PCL) system typically found at a non-towered airport?