Aiports Flashcards
What are the two types of airports based on control?
Towered (blue) and non-towered/uncontrolled (magenta)
How are runways numbered?
Numbered 1-36 by heading
What designation is used for parallel runways?
L or R after the runway number
What is the purpose of taxiways?
Allow for ground travel to and from runways, designated by letter
What services do FBOs and terminals provide at airports?
- Maintenance
- Boarding
- Flight Service Station (FSS)
What are ramps, aprons, and tarmacs used for?
Non-movement areas used to refuel and park, no clearance needed
What must be done to aircrafts left on ramps?
Tied down and chocked
What does a red airfield marking indicate?
Mandatory instruction/runway entrance
What does a yellow airfield marking indicate?
Direction
What does a black airfield marking indicate?
Current location
What does X indicate in aviation communication?
Closed runway
‘X’ is used to denote that a runway is closed.
What does ‘Hold short’ require?
Clearance to cross
‘Hold short’ means that the aircraft must wait for permission before crossing a designated point.
How are runway incursions classified?
D-A by severity
Runway incursions are categorized based on their severity, with D being the least severe and A being the most severe.
What rules still apply on the ground?
Right of way rules
Ground operations still adhere to established right of way rules.
What color are the edge lights of a runway at night?
White
The color of the edge lights helps pilots identify the runway during nighttime operations.
What color is the threshold light of a runway at night?
Green
The green light indicates the beginning of the runway.
What color is the end light of a runway at night?
Red
Red lights indicate the end of the runway.
What color are taxiway lights at night?
Blue
Taxiway lights are colored blue to distinguish them from runway lights.
What are the beacon colors for land?
White and green
Beacons help in identifying landing zones and vary by type.
What are the beacon colors for water?
White and yellow
These colors aid in navigation over water bodies.
What are the beacon colors for a heliport?
Green, yellow, and white
Heliport beacons indicate where helicopters can land.
What are the beacon colors for military locations?
White, white, and green
Military beacons help in identifying military airfields.
What does the chart supplement provide?
All needed info for landing at any airport
The chart supplement is a critical resource for pilots.
What are the three components of radio communications?
Procedures, phraseology, technology
These components ensure effective communication in aviation.
What is the first step in effective communication?
Listen
Listening is essential for understanding and responding accurately.
What is the second step in effective communication?
Think
Thinking helps in formulating a clear response.
What is the third step in effective communication?
Communicate
Clear communication is key to successful interactions.
What is the fourth step in effective communication?
Listen (again)
Continuous listening helps to ensure messages are received correctly.
What is the fifth step in effective communication?
Respond
Responding appropriately concludes the communication loop.
What additional information should be included for towered airports?
ATIS Clearance
ATIS provides essential information for pilots before they communicate with the tower.
What is the phonetic alphabet for the letter A?
Alpha
The phonetic alphabet is used to ensure clarity in communication, especially in aviation.
What is the range for radio navigation aids?
108.0 - 117.95
This range is used for VOR navigation in aviation.
What is the frequency range for voice communications?
118.0 - 136.95
This range is used for air traffic control communications.
What communication method do uncontrolled towers use?
CTAF
CTAF stands for Common Traffic Advisory Frequency.
What communication methods are used at controlled airports?
Approach, CTAF, Tower, Ground, Clearance Delivery, Departure
These methods facilitate various phases of flight and airport operations.
What should a pilot look for if communications fail?
Light guns
Light guns are visual signals used in aviation to communicate with aircraft when radio communication is not possible.
What does a steady green light indicate for ground operations?
Clear for takeoff
A steady green light means it is safe to take off or land depending on the context.
What does a flashing green light indicate for airborne operations?
Return for landing
This signal instructs the pilot to return to land at the airport.
What does a steady red light indicate for ground operations?
STOP
A steady red light signals that the aircraft must stop immediately.
What does a flashing red light indicate for airborne operations?
Unsafe, don’t land
This signal warns pilots that landing is not safe.
What does a flashing white light indicate?
Return to starting point at airport
This signal directs pilots to return to their origin at the airport.
What does a green/red light combination signify?
Extreme caution
This signal warns pilots to be extremely cautious.
What frequency is designated for emergency communications?
121.5
This frequency is monitored by air traffic control and other aircraft for emergency situations.
What does squawk 7700 indicate?
Emergencies
This transponder code alerts ATC to an emergency situation.
What does squawk 7600 indicate?
Comms failure
This code is used when an aircraft experiences communication failure.
What does squawk 7500 indicate?
Hijack
This code is used to signal that an aircraft has been hijacked.
What is the standard traffic pattern for aircraft?
Left traffic is standard, right traffic will be on sectional
What is the standard pattern altitude for aircraft?
1,000 ft AGL
When should the before landing checklist be completed?
On downwind
Who has the right of way in traffic when two planes are on final?
The plane on final or at lower altitude
What defines Class G airspace?
Only uncontrolled airspace, anywhere that has not been designated as another class
What is the vertical range of Class G airspace?
Normally goes from surface to 700 or 1200 ft AGL
What is the altitude limit for Class G airspace outside magenta circles?
1200 ft
What is the altitude limit for Class G airspace inside magenta circles?
700 ft
What defines Class E airspace?
Controlled, no entry requirements; begins where Class G ends
What does a dotted magenta line indicate in terms of Class E airspace?
E begins at the surface
What is required to operate in Class D airspace?
Need 2 way radio to talk to tower
How is Class D airspace depicted on charts?
Depicted by dotted blue
How are ceilings measured in Class D airspace?
Measured MSL
What happens to Class D airspace when the tower closes?
Becomes Class E
How is Class C airspace depicted on charts?
Depicted by 2 solid magenta circles at 5 and 10 miles
What are the requirements to operate in Class C airspace?
Need 2 way radio and mode C transponder
What are the busiest airports classified as?
Class B
What is the altitude range for Class A airspace?
Extends from 18,000 Ft to 60,000 Ft
What type of flying is allowed in Class A airspace?
IFR flying only
What is the speed limit below 10,000 feet?
250 kts
What is the speed limit underneath Class B airspace?
200 Kts
What speed limit applies within 4 miles of Class C or D airports or E traffic patterns?
200 Kts
What is required for entry into Class B airspace?
Need to be specifically cleared into the Bravo
What transponder is needed for Class B airspace?
Mode C transponder
How is Class B airspace depicted on charts?
By solid blue lines
What are the three tiered shells associated with?
Class B airspace
What does the MCPRAWN acronym represent?
Special use airspace categories
MCPRAWN stands for Military Operations Areas, Controlled Firing Areas, Prohibited Areas, Restricted Areas, Alert Areas, Warning Areas, and National Security Areas.
What is the purpose of Military Operations Areas (MOAs)?
Separates military training from IFR flight
True or False: Permission is required for VFR flights in Military Operations Areas.
False
What is a Controlled Firing Area used for?
Artillery practice
How are Controlled Firing Areas monitored?
By spotters on the ground
What should you do in a Prohibited Area?
Stay out, need special permission and you won’t get it
How is a Prohibited Area depicted on charts?
By a blue fence
What is the primary purpose of Restricted Areas?
Separates civilians from invisible dangers
What can you do when a Restricted Area is inactive?
Penetrate the area
What does an Alert Area signify?
No clearance required, unusual activity
How is an Alert Area depicted on charts?
By a magenta fence
What does a Warning Area indicate?
Possible hazardous conditions
Is permission needed to enter a Warning Area?
No, but stay out
What is true of a National Security Area?
Suggested to stay clear, not required, may be under TFR
Who are the controlling authorities of airspace?
Anyone other than ATC in charge of airspace
What are VFR weather minimums from 10,000-18,000 ft?
5 miles visibility, 1000ft above, 1000 ft below, 1 mile horizontally
What are VFR weather minimums for controlled airspace under 10,000ft?
3 miles visibility, 1000 ft above, 500 ft below, 2 miles horizontally
What are VFR weather minimums in uncontrolled airspace between 1200 and 10,000ft?
1 mile visibility, 1000ft above, 500ft below, 2000ft horizontally
What are VFR weather minimums in uncontrolled airspace under 1200ft?
1 mile visibility, clear of clouds
What is required for special VFR clearance from ATC?
1 mile visibility
Special VFR clearance allows operations in lower visibility conditions.
When is IFR needed for special clearance?
At night
IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) are needed to ensure safety during low visibility at night.
How is a Terminal Radar Service area indicated?
Class D airport with solid grey circle
Participation in Terminal Radar Service is recommended but not required.
What is required for a flight in an Air Defense Identification Zone?
Defense VFR flight plan
This is necessary when flying at the border of US airspace.
What does Special Conservation request regarding altitude?
Not to fly below 2000ft
This is a specific request for certain areas to ensure safety and conservation.
What are Special Flight Airspace Rules?
Requires special training and has different airspace rules
An example is the airspace rules in Washington D.C.
What is the purpose of a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)?
To protect VIPs, crowds, or natural disaster areas
TFRs are implemented to ensure safety in specific situations.
What should you do before a flight regarding TFRs?
Collect TFR info
It is essential to be aware of any temporary restrictions that may affect flight plans.
What types of charts are mentioned?
- Sectional charts
- Terminal charts
- Planning charts
Each chart type serves different purposes in flight planning and navigation.
How often are sectional charts updated?
Every 56 days
Regular updates ensure that pilots have the most current information.
What is the scale of sectional charts?
1:500,000 scale
This means 1 inch on the chart represents 6.86 miles on the ground.
What is the scale of terminal charts?
1:250,000 scale
This scale is more detailed, with 1 inch representing 3.43 miles.
What is the relationship between sectional and terminal charts?
Terminal charts are basically a zoomed in sectional
They provide more detail for specific areas like airports.