Airport Operations

Question 1

What is a civil airport?

Answer 1

Airports that are open to the general

public.

Question 2

What is a Private Airport?

Answer 2

Airports designated for private or restricted use only, not open to the general public

Question 3

What are Military/Federal Government airports?

Answer 3

Airports operated by the military, National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA), or other agencies of
the Federal Government.

Question 4

Sources of Airport Data?

Answer 4

• Aeronautical Charts
• Airport/Facility Directory (AFD)
• Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)

Question 5

Towered Airport:
Do you need two-way communication with ATC?
Do you need to comply with all clearances?
In what cases can you deviate from clearances?
What must you ask for to deviate from instruction?

Answer 5

Yes, two-way communication with ATC must be kept.

You do need to comply with all clearances.

If clearances can not be complied you must ask from amended clearance or must be in an emergency. If an emergency occurs notify ATC as soon as possible.

Question 6

Non-towered Airports:

Who do you speak to?

Answer 6

Speak to traffic on CTAF to indicate

Question 7

What does CTAF stand for?

Answer 7

Common Traffic Advisory Frequency

Question 8

What does UNICOM stand for?

Answer 8

Universal Integrated Community

Question 9

What is UNICOM?

Answer 9

UNICOM is a nongovernment air/ground radio communication station which may provide airport information at public use airports
where there is no tower or FSS.

Question 10

What does FSS stand for?

Answer 10

Flight Service Station

Question 11

At Pilot Request UNICOM can provide…

Answer 11

• weather information
• wind direction
• recommended runway
• other necessary information

Question 12

UNICOM (no tower or FSS):

Frequency Use:
Outbound Communication Procedure:
Inbound Communication Procedure:
Practice Instrument Approach:

Answer 12

Frequncy Use:
Communicate with UNICOM
station on published CTAF
frequency (122.7, 122.8, 122.725, 122.975, or 123.0).
If unable to contact UNICOM station, use self-announce
procedures on CTAF.

Outbound:
Before taxiing and
before taxiing on the
runway for departure.

Inbound:
10 miles out.
Entering downwind,
base, and final.
Leaving the runway

Practice: None

Question 13

No Tower, Unicom, or FSS:

Frequency Use:
Outbound Communication Procedure:
Inbound Communication Procedure:
Practice Instrument Approach:

Answer 13

Frequency Use:
Self-announce on MULTICOM frequency 122.9.

Outbound Communication:
Before taxiing and
before taxiing on the
runway for departure

Inbound Communication:
Before taxiing and before taxiing on the runway for departure.

Practice Instrument Approach:
Departing final approach fix (name) or on final approach
segment inbound.

Question 14

No Tower, FSS Open

Frequency Use:
Outbound Communication Procedure:
Inbound Communication Procedure:
Practice Instrument Approach:

Answer 14

Frequency Use:
Communicate with FSS on CTAF
frequency

Outbound Communication:
Before taxiing and
before taxiing on the
runway for departure

Inbound Communication:
10 miles out.
Entering downwind,
base, and final.
Leaving the runway

Practice Instrument Approach:
Approach completed/terminated.

Question 15

FSS Closed (no tower)

Frequency Use:
Outbound Communication Procedure:
Inbound Communication Procedure:
Practice Instrument Approach:

Answer 15

Frequency Use:
Self-announce on CTAF.

Outbound Communication:
Before taxiing and
before taxiing on the
runway for departure

Inbound Communication:
10 miles out.
Entering downwind,
base, and final.
Leaving the runway

Practice Instrument Approach:
None

Question 16

Tower of FSS not in operation:

Frequency Use:
Outbound Communication Procedure:
Inbound Communication Procedure:
Practice Instrument Approach:

Answer 16

Frequency Use:
Self-announce on CTAF.

Outbound Communication:
Before taxiing and
before taxiing on the
runway for departure

Inbound Communication:
10 miles out.
Entering downwind,
base, and final.
Leaving the runway

Practice Instrument Approach:
None

Question 17

Mandatory Instruction Signs

Answer 17

Red background with white inscription.

These signs denote an entrance to a
runway, critical area, or prohibited area.

Co-located with Hold Short Lines

Question 18

Location Signs

Answer 18

Black with yellow inscription and a
yellow border, no arrows.

They are used to identify a
taxiway or runway location, to identify the boundary
of the runway, or identify an instrument landing
system (ILS) critical area

Question 19

Direction Signs

Answer 19

Yellow background with black
inscription.

The inscription identifies the designation
of the intersecting taxiway(s) leading out of an
intersection.

Question 20

Destination Signs

Answer 20

Yellow background with black
inscription and also contain arrows.

These signs
provide information on locating things, such as
runways, terminals, cargo areas, and civil aviation
areas.

Question 21

Information Signs

Answer 21

Yellow background with black
inscription.

These signs are used to provide the pilot
with information on such things as areas that cannot
be seen from the control tower, applicable radio
frequencies, and noise abatement procedures. The
airport operator determines the need, size, and location
of these signs

Question 22

Runway Distance Remaining Signs

Answer 22

Black background with white numbers.

The numbers indicate the distance of the remaining runway in thousands of feet.

Question 23

AIRPORT BEACONS:

What do they do?
When are they operated?
What special circumstances are they turned on?

Answer 23

• Airport beacons help a pilot identify an airport at night.
• The beacons are operated from dusk till dawn.
• Sometimesthey are turned on if the ceiling is less than 1,000 feet and/or the ground visibility is less than 3 statute miles (VFR minimums).

Question 24

Types of Airports (2)

Answer 24

Controlled – have at least a part time operating control tower

Uncontrolled - no operating control tower

Question 25

Runways What color are surface markings? What identifies runways? What are the identification markings based on?

Answer 25

All runway surface markings are white Runways are identified using numbers: * Based on magnetic heading of runway rounded to the nearest ten * Position of runways can be further defined by using “L” (Left), “R” (Right), “C” (Center) * Most runways have specific obstacle clearance requirements * Runways are stressed to handle the impact of the aircraft touchdown

Question 26

Types of Runway Markings

Answer 26

Visual Runway Markings: Non-Precision Markings: Precision Markings:

Question 27

CLOSED RUNWAYS Permanently Closed: Temporarily Closed:

Answer 27

Permanently Closed: Yellow “X” placed at each approach end of the runway and at 1000’ intervals Temporarily Closed: Yellow “X” placed at each approach end of the runway -May be lighted

Question 28

Taxiway Markings What colors are the taxiway markings?

Answer 28

All taxiway markings are yellow Identified by letters (A, B, C) or by Letter/Number combinations (A1, B2, C3)

Question 29

Installed at taxiway/runway intersections What markings are taxiway and which are runway?

Answer 29

* Solid Side – Taxiway | * Dashed Side - Runway

Question 30

ILS Critical Area What is it and why is it installed? When do you hold short of it?

Answer 30

Installed to prevent interference with the operation of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) Hold short of the line only when instructed to do so by ATC

Question 31

Airport Signs Where are they installed? What do they indicate?

Answer 31

``` Installed at various points around an airport to indicate •Location on Airport •Location of Runways •Direction •General Information ```

Question 32

Airport Beacon Colors and Meanings? | When do beacons show?

Answer 32

Civilian Land Airport: One Green One White Water Airport: One Yellow One White Military Airport: Two White One Green Heliport: One White One Yellow One Green Beacons show from sunset to sunrise.

Question 33

Taxiway Edge Lighting color and direction?

Answer 33

Omnidirectional Blue

Question 34

Taxiway Centerline Lighting Color and direction?

Answer 34

Unidirectional Green

Question 35

Runway Edge Light Systems What is their purpose? Color? What is the exception and where are these lights located?

Answer 35

•Allow for identification of runway edges oWhite along the edge •Exception – for instrument runways where the last 2,000’ are yellow to form a caution zone for landing oGreen at threshold boundary oRed at departure end

Question 36

Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL)

Answer 36

•Flashing lights at the beginning of the runway

Question 37

In-Runway Lighting

Answer 37

•Runway Centerline Lighting System (RCLS) oWhite until last 3,000’ •At 3,000’, alternate red and white for the next 2,000 then remaining 1,000’ all red

Question 38

Touchdown Zone Lights (TDZL) color?

Answer 38

White Two Bars that run on the 500 foot markers to aid in where to touch down.

Question 39

Taxiway Lead Off Lights color?

Answer 39

•Alternate green and yellow

Question 40

Land and Hold Short Lights color?

Answer 40

•Flashing white across the runway intersection

Question 41

What does provide mean?

Answer 41

Provide means to transition from instrument flight to visual flight for landing

Question 42

Runway Guard Lights Where are they and what do they do? What color are they?

Answer 42

•Flashing yellow lights installed at either side of the taxiway or a row of in-pavement yellow lights installed across the entire taxiway oInstalled to prevent Taxiway/Runway intersection incursions

Question 43

Stop Bars

Answer 43

•Row of steady burning red lights and elevated red lights installed at runway holding positions oStop bar lights are turned off when the aircraft is cleared across oNever cross a red illuminated stop bar even if an ATC clearance is received

Question 44

Clearance Bar

Answer 44

oThree in-pavement steady burning yellow lights | •Taxiway intersections

Question 45

VASI

Answer 45

Visual Approach Slope Indicator •Provides obstacle clearance within 4 NM of the runway threshold within 10 degrees of centerline

Question 46

PAPI

Answer 46

Precision Approach Path Indicator

Question 47

Visual Glide-slope Indicator Types (4)

Answer 47

VASI PAPI Tri-Color Systems Pulsating Systems

Question 48

AWOS and ASOS

Answer 48

Automated Weather Observation Station Automated Surface Observation Station * Automated Weather * Frequencies found on sectional chart

Question 49

ATIS

Answer 49

``` Automatic Terminal Information Service •Available at towered airports oWeather oActive Runways oNOTAMS oFrequency Information oSpecial Information ```

Question 50

Pilot Controlled Lighting

Answer 50

Uncontrolled Airports •Clicking the mic switch on the appropriate frequency ``` •7 Clicks – highest intensity oIdentify the airport oDo this with other pilots in mind •5 Clicks – medium intensity •3 Clicks – low intensity ```

Question 51

Operation Lights On

Answer 51

Turn on landing light during takeoff, either after takeoff clearance is received or when beginning takeoff roll When operating within 10 miles of any airport Enhances see and avoid concept

Question 52

Aircraft Lights 91.209

Answer 52

From sunset to sunrise you must: * Operate position lights (navigation lights) * Operate anti-collision lights (strobe lights), unless, in the interest of safety, you determine they should be turned off

Question 53

What is the direction of the traffic pattern? STANDARD? NONSTANDARD? (2) Where can information be found? (2)

Answer 53

* Standard (LEFT) * Nonstandard (RIGHT) •Information can be found oSectional oA/FD

Question 54

Pattern Entry (2)

Answer 54

* Overfly airport if necessary | * Enter 45 degree to the downwind, midfield

Question 55

Departing

Answer 55

``` Departing: •Controlled •Uncontrolled •Noise Abatement •Other Established Procedures ```

Question 56

91.113 Right of Way Rules

Answer 56

- When able, all pilots must see and avoid other aircraft - When another aircraft ahs the right of way, you must yield and pass well clear of the other aircraft - An aircraft in distress has the right of way over all other air traffic

Question 57

91.113 Right of Way Converging Rules

Answer 57

Aircraft of the same category converging, the aircraft to the other’s right has the right of way. * Balloon * Glider * Airship * Aircraft towing or re-fueling When approaching head on, each aircraft shall alter course to the right

Question 58

91.113 Right of Way Landing Rules

Answer 58

Aircraft landing have the right of way over other aircraft in the air or on the surface •Two aircraft approach to land, the lower one has the right of way oDo NOT take advantage of this rule

Question 59

Land and Hold Short Operations (LAHSO)

Answer 59

LAHSO is a clearance to land and stop prior to a predetermined point (typically a runway) LAHSO clearances will be offered by ATC without request by the PIC, however the PIC must accept the clearance Pilots should read back their LAHSO clearance and include the words “HOLD SHORT OF RUNWAY ___” ATIS will normally indicate if LAHSO is in effect along with runway length for LAHSO runways

Question 60

Exiting After Landing: What is expected of you when landing and exiting? Who will advise you where to turn off and will they always? If ATC provides runway instruction can you exit another? What must you cross to be clear of runway?

Answer 60

It is expected that aircraft will exit the runway as soon as practical at the first available taxiway * ATC will not necessarily advise you at which taxiway to turn off at * DO NOT exit onto another runway unless directed by ATC * Taxi past and clear the hold short line. DO NOT cross subsequent taxiways unless directed by ATC.