NEHCNewsletter QuizNovember 2011

Test your knowledge about air traffic control. The correct answer(s) for each question is based on how an air traffic controller will respond in each situation. Answers to the questions in this quiz can be found in FAA Order JO 7110.65T, Air Traffic Control, February 11, 2010, http://faa.gov/air_traffic/publications.

1. When it comes to radio communications between ATC and a helicopter, the controller should -

A. avoid issuing a frequency change to helicopters known to be single-piloted during air-taxiing, hovering or low level flight.

B. use the phraseology, REMAIN THIS FREQUENCY.C. know that most light helicopters are equipped with avionics that

permit the pilot to change radio frequencies without taking their hands off the flight controls thus no special handling is required.

D. know that helicopters fly at low altitude and consequently helicopter pilots seldom contact ATC for radar advisories.

2. ATC will use light signals to control aircraft when radio communications cannot be employed. To obtain acknowledgment from a helicopter that can only receive radio transmissions, ATC will ask the helicopter pilot to:

A. While hovering, turn the helicopter either left or right 90-degrees.B. While in flight, turn left or right 90-degrees.C. Between sunset and sunrise: flash navigation or landing lights.D. Between sunset and sunrise: flash landing light or search light.

3. While providing radar traffic advisory service to a helicopter that will enteranother facility’s airspace, ATC expects the pilot to obtain his/her own authorization through each surface area while remaining in contact with the radar facility.

A. True.B. False.

4. ATC establishes the sequence of arriving and departing aircraft by requiring them to adjust flight or ground operation, as necessary, to achieve proper spacing. When it comes to sequencing helicopters -

A. The term “Cleared for the Option” permits helicopter pilots to maneuver as necessary to establish their own sequencing. This procedure will only be used at those locations with an operational control tower and will be subject to ATC approval.

B. For proper helicopter spacing, speed adjustments may be more practical than course changes.

C. Based on the maneuverability of helicopters, ATC does not routinely sequence helicopters.

D. ATC is required to maintain minimum separation of 300 feet between two helicopters, 500 feet between a helicopter and a light airplane and 700 feet between a helicopter and all other aircraft.

5. Which statement correct defines ATC’s expectation about helicopter taxi and ground movement operations?

A. Upon issuing a clearance to air-taxi, ATC expects the helicopter to proceed above the surface in a hover-at speeds less than 20 knots.

B. Upon issuing a clearance to hover taxi, ATC expects the helicopter to remain between 100 and 150 feet AGL. The pilot is solely responsible for selecting a safe airspeed for the altitude/operation being conducted.

C. Air-taxi is the preferred method for helicopter movements on airports provided ground operations/conditions permit.

D. When necessary for a wheeled helicopter to taxi on the surface it will be treated as if was a fixed wing airplane. This means that upon being cleared to taxi to a particular runway the helicopter pilot is permitted to cross all runways, except for the active runway, while taxiing to the cleared runway.

6. Regarding helicopter takeoff clearance, which statement(s) is/are incorrect?

A. Whenever possible, issue takeoff clearance in lieu of extended hover−taxi or air−taxi operations.

B. Unless agreed to by the pilot, do not issuedownwind takeoffs if the tailwind exceeds 5 knots.

C. A pilot request to takeoff from a given point in a given direction constitutes the pilots agreement to takeoff with a tailwind exceeding 5 knots.

D. Helicopters are not permitted to takeoff from non−movementareas.

7. Which statement(s) is/are true regarding transponder operation?

A. When the pilot of a single piloted helicopter declares an emergency and the helicopter is not radar identified, establish radio and radar contact and assign beacon code 7700.

B. Consider a helicopter’s Mode C altitude readout valid when it varies less than 500 feet from the pilot reported altitude.

C. A helicopter not in contact with an ATC facility may squawk 1255 in lieu of 1200 while en route to/from or within the designated firefighting area(s).

D. If a helicopter pilot flying on an IFR flight plan experiences a two-way radio communication failure, ATC expects to see the

transponder code 7700 for one minute, followed by the transponder code 7600.

8. Which statement(s) are true regarding the term “minimum fuel”?

A. Use of the term “minimum fuel” indicates recognition bya pilot that his/her fuel supply has reached a state where,upon reaching destination, he/she cannot accept any unduedelay.

B. This is not an emergency situation but merely anadvisory that indicates an emergency situation is possibleshould any undue delay occur.

C. If, at any time, theremaining usable fuel supply suggests the need for trafficpriority to ensure a safe landing, the pilot should declarean emergency and report fuel remaining in minutes.

D. A minimum fuel advisorydoes not imply a need for traffic priority.E. All of the statements are true.F. A & C are trueG. None of these statements are correct.

9. From time to time, ATC will issue instructions that require expeditious compliance. Please select the true statement from the list below.

A. Use the word “immediately” only when instructing an aircraft to climb or descend to avoid an imminent collision.

B. Use the word “immediately” only when expeditious compliance is required to avoid an imminent situation.

C. Use the word “expedite” only when compliance is required to avoid the development of a dangerous situation. If an “expedite” climb or descent clearance is issued by ATC, and subsequently the altitude to maintain is changed or restated, the expedite instruction will be reiterated.

D. Use the word “expedite” only when instructing an aircraft to turn left or right to avoid and imminent collision.

10. You’re are in cruise flight to your destination and are being provided VFR radar advisories. You hear ATC talking to an aircraft using the call sign ‘Executive One Foxtrot’. Who is/are the passenger(s) is in that aircraft?

A. When a member of the President’s family is aboard any aircraft, if the U.S. Secret Service or the White House Staff determines it is necessary, the call sign is “Executive One Foxtrot”.

B. When the President is aboard a civil aircraft, the call sign is “Executive One Foxtrot”.

C. When the Secretary of Transportation is aboard an aircraft, the call sign is “Executive One Foxtrot”.

D. When the Administrator of the FAA is aboard an aircraft, the call sign is “Executive One Foxtrot”.