TOUR OPERATOR GCNP SFRA QUESTIONS

Question 1

DISCLAIMER

Answer 1

This flash card study aide is provided to ease and assist in studying much more comprehensive material provided by Federal Regulations / FAR AIM / Applicable Letters of Agreement / Company GOM / OpSpecs. The creator of this study aide accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies or abbreviation of procedures. This is intended to introduce the associated material. and all persons using these cards should study and reference the officially distributed material from the applicable sources. It is recommended that after referencing each card, the student should independently verify the information on that card by looking it up and learning the comprehensive information from the direct source. If any inaccuracies, misleading or typo errors are found, please notify the administrator of the study deck.

Question 2

WHAT DOES ‘SFRA’ STAND FOR?

Answer 2

SPECIAL FLIGHT RULES AREA

Question 3

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GRAND CANYON SFAR AND SFRA?

Answer 3

SFAR is the ‘Special Federal Aviation Regulation’ (50-2) that governs operations at GCNP.

SFRA is the ‘Special Flight Rules Area’ that is controlled by the SFAR.

Question 4

WHAT INFO IS REQUIRED IN RADIO REPORTS?

Answer 4

Call Sign, Position, Route and Altitude

Question 5

WHAT ARE THE WEATHER MINIMUMS FOR OPERATIONS WITHIN GCNP SFRA?

Answer 5

3 SM visibility for day operations

5 SM visibility between sunset and sunrise

Also, cloud clearances in 91.155 apply

Question 6

WHEN DO YOU BEGIN USING THE GCW ALTIMETER SETTING?

Answer 6

Entry to the GREEN 4

(Exiting the GREEN 4 revert to the LAS altimeter setting)

Question 7

IF THE GCW ALTIMETER SETTING IN UNAVAILABLE, WHAT DO YOU DO?

Answer 7

Use LAS Altimter setting for the GREEN 4

Question 8

WHAT ARE VALID SOURCES OF WEATHER INFORMATION FOR GCNP SFRA OPERATIONS

Answer 8

US National Weather Service

FAA FSS

Other sources approved by operators OpSpecs

Question 9

WHEN DEVIATING FROM THE GREEN 4 DUE TO WEATHER, WHAT PROCEDURES MUST A PILOT FOLLOW?

Answer 9

Radio report to another aircraft, ATC, or FSS, and a description of weather encountered

Comply with 121.561, 135.67

After deviating, pilot is authorized to rejoin published route when conditions permit, by most direct means (without entering a Flight Free Zone-FFZ)

Question 10

WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE FOR A PILOT TO CONDUCT ‘COLLATERAL DUTIES’ SUCH AS OPERATING DMP PLAYER, VIDEO SYSTEM ETC.?

Answer 10

Only when pilot’s work load makes it safe to do so

Question 11

WHAT LIGHTS MUST BE ON FOR SAFETY WHEN OPERATING IN THE GCNP SFRA?

Answer 11

Rotating beacons and strobes must be ON at all times (if installed)

Question 12

MAY STROBES, ROTATING BEACONS, OR PULSE LIGHTS BE MEL INACTIVE?

Answer 12

Yes, if the operators MEL list approves it

Question 13

WHAT INITIAL PILOT TRAINING IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE IN GCNP SFRA?

Answer 13

Two hours of ground training covering GCNP SFRA Procedures Manual

GCN Aeronautical Chart

GCN/ATC LOA

Two route familiarization flights (Green 4)

Trainee pilot must be sole manipulator of flight controls

Question 14

WHO CAN ADMINISTER THE ROUTE FAMILIARIZATION FLIGHTS FOR INITIAL PILOT TRAINING?

Answer 14

Any route qualified pilot (must be employed by the same operator as the pilot being qualified, LAS FSDO may make exceptions)

Route qualified pilot is PIC for initial training, and must occupy a pilot seat

Question 15

CAN A PILOT COMPLETE GCNP SFRA ROUTE FAMILIARIZATION FLIGHTS PRIOR TO COMPLETING PART 135 TRAINING AND TESTING?

Answer 15

NO

Exceptions are 121.440, 135.299 line check requirements, and non-revenue flights conducted solely for the purpose of accomplishing GCNP SFRA route familiarization flights

Question 16

WHO CAN CONDUCT A GCNP SFRA ROUTE CHECK?

Answer 16

Qualified FAA Safety Inspector, designated check airman approved by LAS FSDO

Question 17

HOW OFTEN MUST A RECURRENT ROUTE CHECK BE CONDUCTED?

Answer 17

Every 12 calendar months

The requirement for a 12 month recurrent GCNP SFRA route check may, at the operator’s discretion, be extended to 24 calendar months provided the following requirements are met: The pilot has maintained GCNP SFRA route qualification, without interruption, in the previous 24 consecutive months.

(135.301 applies. Check may be completed one calendar month before, or after month due.)

One hour formal ground training including LOA, GCNP Sectional, GCNP SFRA Procedures Manual

Route Check by designated check airman, or FAA Safety Inspector

Question 18

IT HAS BEEN 15 MONTHS SINCE LAST RECURRENT TRAINING AND ROUTE CHECK. CAN YOU ACT AS PIC IN GCNP SFRA?

WHAT TRAINING IS REQUIRED TO MAKE YOU CURRENT AGAIN?

Answer 18

You may not fly as PIC in SFRA until recurrent training is completed.

Pilot must complete all requirements for initial qualification in the GCNP SFRA just as if he/she had never been previously qualified.

(Unless previous 24 month without interruption rule applies)

Question 19

IT HAS BEEN OVER 12 MONTHS SINCE YOUR LAST RECURRENT SFRA TRAINING. IT IS THE 29TH DAY OF THE 13TH MONTH. CAN YOU ACT AS PIC IN THE GCNP SFRA?

Answer 19

Yes, if 24 month without interruption rule applies, or you are due for the one hour ground and route check by a designated check airman or FAA Safety Inspector before the end of the 13th month!

Question 20

IT HAS BEEN 25 MONTHS SINCE YOUR LAST GCNP SFRA TRAINING. WHAT TRAINING IS REQUIRED TO MAKE YOU CURRENT?

Answer 20

You must start over and go through all initial training.

Question 21

SFRA REQUALIFICATION SUMMARY

Answer 21

F. Requalification
If a pilot’s currency in the GCNP SFRA lapses for any reason, he/she must be re-qualified. The requalification requirements will depend on how long the pilot has been non-current.

(1) Currency lapse of less than 12 calendar months: Pilot must receive at least 1.0 hour of GCNP SFRA ground training and satisfactorily complete a recurrent route check before resuming PIC duties within the GCNP SFRA.
(2) Currency lapse of 12 calendar months or more: Pilot must complete all requirements for initial qualification in the GCNP SFRA just as if he/she had never been previously qualified
(3) Pilots who were previously granted a 24 month re-currency extension and have had a currency lapse of 12 calendar months or less, may be re-qualified with a 24 month extension.

Example: A pilot did not receive his/her recurrent check, which was due in April 1998. Because of the grace month provision, the pilot’s currency lapses on May 31, 1998. The pilot may meet the requalification requirements listed in paragraph (1) above until May 31, 1999. After that date, the requalification requirements listed in paragraph (2) above apply.

Question 22

MUST YOU FILE A FLIGHT PLAN FOR FLIGHTS INTO THE GCNP SFRA?

Answer 22

Each certificate holder conducting commercial flights into GCNP SFRA will file a VFR flight plan

Question 23

AT MINIMUM WHAT GCNP SFRA INFO MUST BE AVAILABLE TO THE PILOT IN THE HELICOPTER

Answer 23

A current and readable Grand Canyon VFR Aeronautical Chart

Question 24

WHAT FLIGHT DEVIATIONS MUST BE REPORTED?

Answer 24

Flight more than 1/2 statute mile to either side of route

Deviation from route altitude of more than 300 feet for more than one minute

Flight into Flight Free Zone (FFZ)

Question 25

HOW LONG MUST DEVIATION REPORTS BE MAINTAINED? MUST THEY BE SENT TO LAS FSDO?

Answer 25

Deviation reports must be retained by operator for 90 days.

FFZ deviations must be sent to LAS FSDO within 10 calendar days.

Question 26

WHEN MAY YOU ENTER A FFZ?

Answer 26

ONLY for safety of flight!

Even WX deviations should be made to avoid FFZ even if RTB is necessary

Question 27

WHAT ROUTES ARE FOR HELICOPTERS ONLY?

Answer 27

Green routes.Brown routes also (river runners). Brown 6 is helo only.

Question 28

WHEN IN THE PEARCE FERRY SECTOR OF THE GCNP SFRA, WHERE DO YOU OBTAIN ALTIMETER SETTING?

Answer 28

The Grand Canyon West Airport (1G4) altimeter setting, reported on AWOS, shall be utilized within the Pearce Ferry Sector. In the event the AWOS is out of service, the Las Vegas McCarran (LAS) altimeter setting shall be used.

Question 29

MAY A CURRENT TRAINED AND CHECKED GCNP SFRA PILOT FLY INTO THE SFRA IN A PRIVATE AIRCRAFT?

Answer 29

No. Authorization to operate in the CGNP SFRA is issued to the carrier, not the individual pilot.

Question 30

WHEN PASSING ANOTHER AIRCRAFT ON A ROUTE SUCH AS THE GREEN 4, WHAT PROCEDURES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED?

Answer 30

Minimum horizontal distance of 500 feet

Mandatory radio call to make aircraft being passed aware

When hearing this radio call, pilot of aircraft being passed is required to reply.