DADE DADE Flight Planning & Dispatch Release 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under 14 CFR Part 121, who shares legal responsibility for the safety of a domestic flight?
- The pilot-in-command alone
- The aircraft dispatcher and the pilot-in-command jointly (Correct answer)
- The airline operations director only
- The FAA FSDO inspector
Correct answer: The aircraft dispatcher and the pilot-in-command jointly
Under Part 121, the aircraft dispatcher and the pilot-in-command share joint responsibility and authority for the safety of each domestic flight.
Question 2: What is the minimum fuel required for a domestic Part 121 flight beyond the fuel needed to reach the destination?
- Fuel to the destination only
- Fuel to the alternate plus 45 minutes at normal cruise
- Fuel to the alternate plus 30 minutes at holding speed at 1,500 feet AGL (Correct answer)
- 10% of the total estimated fuel burn
Correct answer: Fuel to the alternate plus 30 minutes at holding speed at 1,500 feet AGL
Part 121 domestic operations require fuel to reach the destination, fly to the alternate, and then hold for 30 minutes at 1,500 feet AGL.
Question 3: When is an alternate airport NOT required on a domestic IFR flight plan under Part 121?
- When the aircraft has GPS approach capability
- When the destination forecast shows ceiling at least 2,000 feet and visibility 3 miles from 1 hour before to 1 hour after ETA (Correct answer)
- When the flight is less than 2 hours in duration
- When the destination has two or more runways
Correct answer: When the destination forecast shows ceiling at least 2,000 feet and visibility 3 miles from 1 hour before to 1 hour after ETA
An alternate is not required when the destination forecast shows at least 2,000-foot ceiling and 3-mile visibility from 1 hour before to 1 hour after the estimated arrival time.
Question 4: What information must appear on a Part 121 dispatch release?
- Weather forecasts only
- Aircraft identification, trip number, departure/destination airports, alternate airports, type of operation, and minimum fuel supply (Correct answer)
- Passenger manifest and cargo weight only
- Pilot names and certificate numbers
Correct answer: Aircraft identification, trip number, departure/destination airports, alternate airports, type of operation, and minimum fuel supply
A Part 121 dispatch release must include the aircraft ID, trip number, departure and destination airports, alternate airports, type of operation, and minimum fuel supply information.
Question 5: Under Part 121, a dispatcher may not release a flight unless they have received what from the crew?
- A weather briefing acknowledgment form
- The dispatcher's release signed or acknowledged by the pilot-in-command (Correct answer)
- A load sheet signed by the ground crew
- Fuel order confirmation from the FBO
Correct answer: The dispatcher's release signed or acknowledged by the pilot-in-command
Under Part 121, a flight may not depart unless the pilot-in-command has signed or acknowledged the dispatch release, confirming the joint authority arrangement.
Question 6: What action must a Part 121 dispatcher take if they receive information indicating unsafe conditions enroute after a flight has departed?
- Wait until landing to inform the crew
- File a report with the FSDO within 24 hours
- Immediately advise the pilot-in-command and coordinate appropriate action (Correct answer)
- Notify the destination airport only
Correct answer: Immediately advise the pilot-in-command and coordinate appropriate action
A dispatcher must immediately advise the pilot-in-command of any information indicating unsafe conditions and coordinate with the crew on appropriate action.
DADE DADE Flight Planning & Dispatch Release 1
Under 14 CFR Part 121, who shares legal responsibility for the safety of a domestic flight?