Aircraft Light Signals and Wake Turbulence Separation

35 Questions

What must be the condition for a Special VFR clearance to be issued when ground visibility is less than 1 mile?

Visibility requirements

Local controllers must visually scan runways for:

151

What is the objective of gate hold procedures in terms of departure delays after engine start and taxi time?

15 minutes

When gate hold procedures are in effect, what information should departing aircraft be advised of?

A time for receiving clearance and/or taxi advisory

In an ATIS message, what should be the maximum duration in seconds unless required for message content?

163

Under what conditions can the ceiling/sky condition, visibility, and obstructions to vision be omitted in an ATIS message?

...the ceiling is above 5,000 feet and the visibility is more than 5 miles.

What is the appropriate light signal to use when aircraft are converging and a collision hazard exists?

Flashing red

For aircraft not making a visual approach, Wake turbulence separation minima must continue to touchdown if:

Boundary wind at the site nearest the runway threshold

When the Low Level Wind Shear Alert System (LLWAS) is not in alert status, what specific wind information should be issued?

Runway threshold

How long must 'LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR ADVISORIES IN EFFECT' be included on the ATIS broadcast when low-level wind shear/microburst is reported?

'Departure Procedure Letter of Agreement' minutes

What additional information must be issued with the Airport Wind (direction and velocity) when a low-level wind shear/microburst alert is received?

Wind boundary

If a collision hazard exists when aircraft are converging, what light signal should be avoided?

White

What is the only weather limitation that would prevent an aircraft from climbing to VFR upon request during Special VFR operations?

Thunderstorms

Why are Special VFR aircraft NOT assigned fixed altitudes?

Required to expedite

Under what circumstances may Special VFR operations be authorized for aircraft transiting the surface area?

An emergency exists

What is the minimum requirement for vertical separation between an IFR aircraft and a Special VFR aircraft?

Every 90 seconds

Fixed-wing Special VFR flights may be approved only if arriving and departing IFR aircraft are NOT ________.

Flying in IMC conditions

What factor determines whether an aircraft is authorized to climb to VFR upon request during Special VFR operations?

$1,000$ feet below

What term should be used to describe the quality of braking action between 'MEDIUM TO POOR' and 'POOR'?

NIL

In airport traffic control procedures, what should be implemented when departure delays exceed or are expected to exceed a certain number of minutes?

Expect Further Clearance

When runway braking action reports of 'MEDIUM', 'POOR', and 'NIL' are received, what statement should be included on the ATIS broadcast?

VALS

What should be used to provide advanced non-control airport/terminal area and meteorological information to aircraft when available?

Expect Further Clearance

Under gate hold procedures, what should be maintained unless modified by flow control restrictions?

VALS

When recording an ATIS message, what should the speech rate NOT exceed?

more than 30 words per minute

What are the minimum required information for handling an inflight emergency?

Intended destination

When should you inform the RCC or ARTCC about an aircraft emergency?

Officials responsible for the operation of the aircraft

After an emergency has been declared and the minimum information obtained, what less pertinent information should be acquired next?

FSS

What frequencies are assigned specifically for aircraft in emergency conditions?

243 MHz

When should you transfer the responsibility for handling an emergency to another facility?

ARTCC

Where should you forward detailed data when you receive information about an aircraft in distress?

ARTCC

What is the expected course of action for controllers when they encounter situations not covered in JO 7110.65?

Exercise their best judgment

If a controller faces a scenario not addressed in JO 7110.65, what action is NOT expected of them?

Report the situation to FAA Headquarters

When dealing with uncharted situations, what approach is encouraged for controllers?

Use their experience and best judgment

In cases outside the scope of JO 7110.65, what is the primary responsibility of controllers?

Apply their discretion and expertise

When encountering unfamiliar scenarios, what should controllers primarily rely on?

Their own sound judgment

Study Notes

Airport Traffic Control Procedures

When aircraft are converging and a collision hazard exists, the appropriate light signal to use is alternating red and green.
Wake turbulence separation minima must continue to touchdown for all aircraft not making a visual approach or for those making a visual approach with a speed loss or gain on approach.
The Low Level Wind Shear Alert System (LLWAS) provides wind information if requested by a pilot or if wind shear conditions exist.
When a low-level wind shear/microburst alert is received, issue the Airport Wind (direction and velocity) and the facility directive.
Special VFR operations may be authorized for aircraft transiting the surface area when the primary airport is reporting VFR but the pilot is unable to transit the surface area VFR.

Low-Level Wind Shear Alert System (LLWAS)

When the LLWAS is NOT in alert status, issue specific field boundary wind information if requested by a pilot.
When a low-level wind shear/microburst is reported by pilots or detected by LLWAS, include the statement “LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR ADVISORIES IN EFFECT” on the ATIS broadcast for 30 minutes.

Special VFR Operations

Special VFR aircraft are NOT assigned fixed altitudes because of delayed en route requirements.
The minimum requirement for vertical separation between an IFR aircraft and a Special VFR aircraft is that the Special VFR aircraft be assigned an altitude at least 500 feet above any conflicting IFR traffic.
Fixed-wing Special VFR flights may be approved only if arriving and departing IFR aircraft are not converging.

Airport Traffic Control

Local controllers must visually scan runways for wake turbulence requirements.
Special VFR minimums are prescribed in Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91.
The objective of gate hold procedures is to achieve departure delays of 15 minutes or less after engine start and taxi time.

ATIS Broadcast

The ceiling/sky condition, visibility, and obstructions to vision may be omitted if the ceiling is above 5,000 feet and the visibility is more than 10 miles.
Describe the quality of braking action by using the terms “GOOD,” “GOOD TO MEDIUM,” "MEDIUM", "MEDIUM TO POOR,” “POOR,” or a combination of these terms.
When runway braking action reports of “MEDIUM”, “POOR” and “NIL” are received, include a statement on the ATIS broadcast.

Emergency Procedures

The minimum required information for handling an inflight emergency is aircraft identification and type, nature of emergency, and amount of fuel remaining.
Consider that an aircraft emergency exists and inform the RCC or ARTCC when an emergency is declared by either the pilot, facility personnel, or airport management.
Frequencies assigned specifically for aircraft in emergency conditions are 121.5 MHz and 243.0 MHz.

Test your knowledge on aircraft light signals and wake turbulence separation criteria. Identify the appropriate light signal for potential collisions and understand the wake turbulence separation requirements for aircraft not on a visual approach.

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