CTO Traffic Pattern Operations & VFR Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: At what altitude relative to fixed-wing aircraft are helicopters typically instructed to fly the traffic pattern?
- Same altitude as fixed-wing aircraft
- 500 feet below the fixed-wing traffic pattern altitude (Correct answer)
- 500 feet above the fixed-wing traffic pattern altitude
- 2,000 feet AGL regardless of fixed-wing pattern
Correct answer: 500 feet below the fixed-wing traffic pattern altitude
Helicopters are typically assigned a traffic pattern altitude 500 feet below the fixed-wing pattern altitude to provide vertical separation between aircraft types.
Question 2: A 'touch-and-go' operation means the aircraft will:
- Land and immediately depart without coming to a full stop (Correct answer)
- Taxi back to the departure end after landing
- Make a low approach and execute a go-around
- Stop briefly at an intersection then continue taxiing
Correct answer: Land and immediately depart without coming to a full stop
A touch-and-go involves landing and then taking off again without stopping, allowing pilots to practice multiple landings in a single flight.
Question 3: When a pilot requests a straight-in approach to a tower-controlled airport, the controller should:
- Always deny it and require a full traffic pattern
- Approve it only when IFR conditions exist
- Evaluate traffic flow and issue appropriate sequencing or approval (Correct answer)
- Require the pilot to first enter the downwind leg
Correct answer: Evaluate traffic flow and issue appropriate sequencing or approval
Controllers have discretion to approve straight-in approaches when traffic permits, issuing sequence numbers, traffic advisories, or instructions as appropriate.
Question 4: The 'upwind leg' of the traffic pattern is defined as:
- The leg flown into the wind before the first pattern turn
- The leg parallel to the runway flown in the landing direction after takeoff or go-around (Correct answer)
- The final approach leg immediately before touchdown
- A special leg only used during strong crosswind conditions
Correct answer: The leg parallel to the runway flown in the landing direction after takeoff or go-around
The upwind leg is flown parallel to and in the same direction as landing, typically after a touch-and-go or missed approach before the aircraft turns crosswind.
Question 5: When a faster aircraft is overtaking a slower aircraft in the traffic pattern, which technique may a tower controller use?
- Instruct the faster aircraft to maintain VFR and self-separate
- Have the faster aircraft extend a leg or make 360-degree turns for spacing (Correct answer)
- Clear the faster aircraft to pass the slower aircraft at a higher altitude
- Direct both aircraft to switch to an alternate runway
Correct answer: Have the faster aircraft extend a leg or make 360-degree turns for spacing
Extending a pattern leg or issuing 360-degree turns creates additional in-trail spacing between the faster and slower aircraft.
Question 6: What does 'VFR flight following' provide to a pilot operating in the traffic pattern area?
- Instrument approach clearances during VMC conditions
- Radar traffic advisories while the pilot retains VFR responsibilities (Correct answer)
- Guaranteed separation from all IFR and VFR traffic
- Automatic ATIS updates and weather alerts
Correct answer: Radar traffic advisories while the pilot retains VFR responsibilities
VFR flight following provides radar traffic advisories, but the pilot remains responsible for terrain clearance, cloud clearances, and see-and-avoid separation.
Question 7: When a tower controller instructs a pilot to 'make short approach,' this means the pilot should:
- Plan to land as short on the runway as possible
- Tighten the traffic pattern to land sooner than normal (Correct answer)
- Fly to a shorter alternate runway for landing
- Execute an immediate 180-degree turn to final
Correct answer: Tighten the traffic pattern to land sooner than normal
'Make short approach' instructs the pilot to shorten or tighten the traffic pattern by turning base and final earlier than normal to expedite traffic flow.
CTO Traffic Pattern Operations & VFR Procedures 2
At what altitude relative to fixed-wing aircraft are helicopters typically instructed to fly the traffic pattern?