CTO Runway Incursion Prevention 5

Question 1

What is the primary reason tower controllers are required to scan all active runways continuously, even during high workload periods?

Accepted Answer

To detect unauthorized runway incursions or conflicts before they become critical

Answer

To satisfy FAA audit requirements for operational documentation

Answer

To provide real-time traffic counts to airport operations

Answer

To monitor aircraft performance on landing rollout

Question 2

A controller notices a pilot has entered a runway without clearance. After stopping the aircraft, what must the controller do?

Accepted Answer

File a runway incursion report and notify the supervisor immediately

Answer

Issue an amended clearance and continue operations without reporting

Answer

Contact the pilot privately to resolve the misunderstanding before reporting

Answer

Wait for the pilot to file a voluntary safety report before taking action

Question 3

What is the 'sterile cockpit rule' equivalent for tower controllers regarding runway incursion prevention?

Accepted Answer

Controllers should eliminate non-essential communication and distractions during critical phases such as takeoff and landing clearances

Answer

Controllers must remain silent on all frequencies during ILS approaches

Answer

Only the position controller may speak during parallel runway operations

Answer

All non-ATC personnel must leave the tower cab during low visibility operations

Question 4

Which human factors issue is most commonly cited as contributing to controller-caused runway incursions?

Accepted Answer

Loss of situational awareness due to workload, fatigue, or distraction

Answer

Inadequate radar equipment in the tower cab

Answer

Failure of ASDE-X to detect surface targets

Answer

Insufficient runway lighting during night operations

Question 5

When an aircraft is instructed to 'taxi to and hold short of Runway 28L,' what is the aircraft authorized to do?

Accepted Answer

Taxi to the holding position of Runway 28L and stop without entering the runway

Answer

Enter Runway 28L and hold in position for departure

Answer

Taxi across Runway 28L and hold short of the next runway

Answer

Taxi to the far end of Runway 28L and await further instructions

Question 6

Which FAA voluntary safety reporting program allows pilots and controllers to report runway incursion-related events without fear of punitive action?

Accepted Answer

Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) and NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS)

Answer

FAA Enforcement Discretion Program only

Answer

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) incident hotline

Answer

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security reporting system

Question 7

What role does standardized phraseology play in runway incursion prevention?

Accepted Answer

It reduces ambiguity so pilots and controllers share a clear, common understanding of instructions and clearances

Answer

It speeds up communication to allow more aircraft movements per hour

Answer

It ensures that non-English-speaking pilots can understand instructions

Answer

It satisfies ICAO documentation requirements for international airports