Airport Classification Quiz

Airports are categorized based on their primary function and activities, differentiating between commercial service, cargo service, reliever, and general aviation airports.

Publicly owned airports serving at least 2,500 passengers annually, featuring scheduled passenger service. This includes passengers continuing on international flights for non-traffic purposes like refueling.

The number of passengers boarding a commercial aircraft for revenue flights, including those continuing on international flights for non-traffic purposes.

Another term for Passenger Boardings, specifically referring to passenger boarding at airports providing scheduled passenger service.

Airports primarily handling cargo shipments, transporting more than 100 million pounds of cargo annually. They may also offer other air transportation services.

The weight of an aircraft solely transporting cargo during interstate, intrastate, and international flights.

Airports designated by the FAA to alleviate congestion at commercial service airports and improve general aviation access for the community.

Airports not categorized as commercial service, cargo service, or reliever airports, serving general aviation purposes like private aircraft operations and flight training.

An airport with an operating control tower, where air traffic control (ATC) directs traffic.

An airport without a control tower, relying on pilot communication for traffic management.

Common Traffic Advisory Frequency, used for communication at nontowered airports.

A nongovernment air/ground radio communication station providing airport information at nontowered airports.

The altitude at which aircraft operate in a traffic pattern at nontowered airports.

The preferred way to enter a traffic pattern from the downwind side at a nontowered airport.

Joining the traffic pattern at the midpoint of the downwind leg.

A key practice at nontowered airports where pilots communicate their actions.

A crucial safety measure to constantly check for other aircraft.

Maintaining a smooth and consistent flow of aircraft in the pattern.

The leg of the traffic pattern where pilots position their aircraft before turning for landing.

2,000 feet AGL, to avoid conflict with larger aircraft.

Matching speed and course with other aircraft to maintain a safe and efficient flow.

Aircraft speeds recommended by the manufacturer for different types of aircraft.

Aircraft with retractable landing gear, typically requiring higher speeds.

Runways located side-by-side, differentiated by a letter added to the runway number (e.g., 36L, 36C, 36R).

A temporary shift in the runway's beginning point due to construction or maintenance, often marked with a white bar across the runway.

A fixed point on the runway where landings are restricted, but takeoffs are allowed from both directions, marked with a white threshold bar.

A designated surface surrounding the runway designed to lessen damage to aircraft in case of an undershoot, overshoot, or excursion.

A yellow sign with black markings placed at taxiway stubs, indicating the edge of the runway safety area.

An airport 'stop sign' with red background, white characters outlined in black, alerting pilots to stop before entering a runway.

If a runway holding position sign shows '18-36', it signifies Runway 18's threshold is on the left and Runway 36's threshold is on the right.

Arrows on a runway holding position sign point towards the threshold of the corresponding runway, helping pilots navigate the intersection.

A point where two runways meet, which can be confusing and challenging for pilots, often marked as a 'hot spot' on airport diagrams.

Pilots must exercise extreme caution when taxiing on or crossing this type of intersection due to potential navigation issues.

Maps specifically designed for aviation, providing detailed information about airports, navigation aids, and terrain features.

A comprehensive database of airport information including runways, services, communication frequencies, and weather data.

Notices to Airmen, providing temporary or urgent information that affects flight operations such as runway closures or airspace restrictions.

Aeronautical charts provide detailed information about airports, including runway configurations, lighting systems, and communication frequencies.

It provides the most comprehensive information about a specific airport, including runway lengths, services, and contact details.

NOTAMs disseminate time-critical information that might affect flight operations, such as runway closures or airspace changes.

ATIS provides pilots with the latest weather, runway information, and other crucial details necessary for safe airport operations.

A code assigned to each ATIS broadcast, updated whenever information is changed, helping pilots identify the latest transmission.

Runway markings and signs provide visual guidance to pilots on the ground, directing them safely during taxiing, takeoff, and landing.

Runway numbers represent the magnetic heading of the runway, providing pilots with a clear understanding of the runway's orientation.

Runway numbers indicate the runway's heading, helping pilots align their aircraft for takeoff and landing based on wind direction.

They provide visual cues for pilots on the ground, guiding them during taxiing, takeoff, and landing.

A procedure that allows an aircraft to land on a runway while another aircraft is holding short of that runway.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) informs the pilot of the reason for conducting LAHSO. They also clear the aircraft to land and hold short of the designated point.

Pilots need to know the available landing distance, comply with ATC instructions, and be aware of runway markings and signs.

Student solo pilots cannot perform LAHSO. Air carrier aircraft may not be authorized when the other aircraft is general aviation. LAHSO is not authorized at night or on wet runways.

ATC instruction requiring a pilot to stop at a designated point before crossing a runway.

Signs with a yellow background and black characters that guide pilots along taxiways. They indicate the direction of turns and intersecting taxiways.

Identify a specific taxiway, informing pilots of their location.

Used to warn pilots about an upcoming runway by using yellow dashed lines extending up to 150 feet before a runway holding position marking.

Signs with a yellow background and black characters indicating a destination at the airport. They always have an arrow showing the direction of the taxi route.

An area around an instrument landing system (ILS) that must be kept clear of obstacles for a good signal.

A red sign with white characters, outlined in black, indicating a holding position for an aircraft. It's located adjacent to the ILS holding position markings.

Yellow ladder markings on the pavement, extending across the width of the taxiway, indicating a holding position for aircraft.

ATC instruction requiring pilots to stop at the designated holding position before entering the ILS critical area.

Taxiway Bravo intersects with Taxiway Sierra and Taxiway Foxtrot at different angles.

Signs are oriented to the right in a clockwise manner. Left turn signs are on the left and right turn signs are on the right.

A marking indicating the point where an aircraft should stop before entering a runway, unless cleared by ATC to proceed.

A specific area around an Instrument Landing System (ILS) that must be kept clear for accurate instrument approaches. It's marked with yellow 'ladder' markings and a red ILS sign.

A dashed yellow line extending across the width of the taxiway, marking a point where aircraft should stop when instructed by ATC to 'hold short' of an intersection.

Runways or taxiways no longer in use, marked with yellow 'Xs' at each end and at 1,000-foot intervals. Lighting circuits are disconnected.

Runways or taxiways unavailable for a short period, indicated by yellow Xs or lighted yellow Xs at each end. NOTAMs and ATIS provide closure information.

Red signs with white inscriptions, indicating entrances to runways, critical areas, or prohibited areas. Pilots must comply.

Black signs with yellow inscriptions and a yellow border. Used to identify locations like taxiways, runways, boundaries, or ILS critical areas.

Yellow signs with black inscriptions, indicating taxiway designations leading out of an intersection.

Yellow signs with black inscriptions, providing information about areas not visible from the control tower, radio frequencies, and noise abatement procedures.

Black signs with white numbers, indicating the distance remaining on a runway in thousands of feet.

A light that helps pilots identify an airport at night. The color combination indicates the type of airport.

Various lighting systems used for night operations, standardized across airports for consistency.

Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) and Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) provide critical updates on runway and taxiway closures.

Lights that guide pilots during the final stages of landing, helping them transition from instrument flight to visual flight.

Lights that help pilots maintain the correct glide path for landing, ensuring safe obstacle clearance.

Precision approach path indicator, similar to VASI but with lights in a single row, providing precise glidepath information.

A single light unit projecting three colors to indicate below, on, or above glidepath - red, green, and amber.

A system that uses a single light unit to project a two-color visual approach path with a pulsating effect to indicate below, on, or above glidepath.

Runway end identifier lights, a pair of synchronized flashing lights at the approach end of a runway for easy identification.

Lights outlining the edges of runways, providing visual guidance for pilots during night or low visibility conditions.

High intensity runway lights (HIRL), medium intensity runway lights (MIRL), and low intensity runway lights (LIRL), categorized based on their brightness.

Lights installed on some precision approach runways to aid landing under adverse visibility conditions, with white lights transitioning to alternating white and red lights.

Lights that indicate the touchdown zone on some precision approach runways, helping pilots identify the landing area in low visibility.

A fixed point on the runway restricting landings but allowing takeoffs from both directions, marked with a white threshold bar.

Two rows of transverse white lights positioned symmetrically along the runway centerline, starting 100 feet beyond the landing threshold and extending to 3,000 feet or the runway midpoint, whichever is shorter.

Alternating green and yellow lights installed along the taxiway centerline, beginning with green, extending beyond the runway holding position or ILS critical area holding position. They warn pilots and vehicle drivers that they are within the runway environment or ILS critical area.

Bidirectional lights with the same green and yellow color pattern as lead-off lights, providing visual guidance for entering the runway. They warn pilots and vehicle drivers that they're within the runway environment or ILS critical area.

Pulsing white lights installed across the runway, indicating the hold short point for LAHSO (Land and Hold Short Operations), allowing aircraft to hold short of the runway. They are activated only when LAHSO is in effect.

At towered airports, ATC controls airport lighting. At nontowered airports, lighting may be controlled by a timer, FSS personnel, or pilots using a radio.

At select nontowered airports, pilots can control lighting using a radio, choosing a specific frequency and activating the microphone.

Blue lights outlining the edges of the taxiway, providing visibility and guiding pilots along the taxiway.

Green lights installed along the taxiway centerline, providing visual guidance for pilots.

A set of three in-pavement steady-burning yellow lights installed at holding positions, increasing visibility during low visibility conditions. They may also indicate intersecting taxiways.

Lights installed at taxiway/runway intersections to enhance visibility. They consist of either flashing yellow lights on each side of the taxiway or a row of in-pavement yellow lights across the taxiway.

Red lights, both in-pavement and elevated, used to confirm ATC clearance for entering or crossing the active runway in low visibility conditions. They are turned off and lead-on lights are turned on after receiving clearance.

Lights that identify obstructions both on and off the airport. They are designed to warn pilots of obstacles during daytime and nighttime conditions.

Flash or emit a steady red color during nighttime operations, and the obstructions are painted orange and white for daytime operations.

Flash high-intensity white light during the daytime with reduced intensity for nighttime operations.

A combination of flashing red beacons and steady red lights for nighttime operation and high intensity white lights for daytime operations.

A system utilizing red lights to indicate unsafe conditions for runway entry, crossing, takeoff, or landing.

Red lights positioned at runway intersections with taxiways, warning of conflicting traffic on the runway.

Red lights indicating an occupied runway, preventing aircraft from taking off.

Visual aids like wind cones, socks, tees, or tetrahedrons that show wind direction.

A wind direction indicator that also helps estimate wind velocity and gust factor.

A visual system found at nontowered airports, consisting of wind direction indicators, landing direction indicators, landing strip indicators, and traffic pattern indicators.

A triangular structure that indicates the direction of landings and takeoffs, used at airports without a control tower.

Pairs of indicators that show the alignment of landing strips, used at nontowered airports.

Pairs of indicators that show the direction of turns in the traffic pattern.

The recommended altitude for aircraft operating in the traffic pattern at nontowered airports.

Visual signals used by air traffic controllers (ATC) to communicate with aircraft on the ground, especially when radio communication is unavailable.

A system of communication using dots and dashes to represent letters and numbers, used in aviation for emergency communication.

A standardized alphabet used in aviation to avoid confusion when spelling words over radio or phone. Each letter has a unique word.

A procedure for arriving at an airport without two-way radio communication, requiring authorization and careful adherence to visual signals.

A system used to enhance radar tracking of aircraft by transmitting coded signals from aircraft transponders, providing more accurate identification.

A radar system that emits radio waves to detect aircraft by analyzing the reflected signals, providing information on range, azimuth, and elevation.

A four-digit number assigned to an aircraft by ATC or used as a standard code for communication purposes, helping to identify the aircraft on radar.

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, a modern technology that allows aircraft to broadcast their position, altitude, speed, and heading to ground stations and other aircraft.

A defined pattern of flight around an airport, consisting of legs and altitudes for aircraft approaching for landing, departing, or practicing.

A radio frequency used by pilots at non-towered airports to communicate with ground and other pilots to share traffic information.

Hand signals given by ATC using a flashlight to guide aircraft on the ground, especially when radio communication is impossible.

This is a phrase used by controllers to instruct pilots to operate their transponder on the designated code in MODE A/3.

This refers to the 'IDENT' feature on the transponder, engaging it allows the controller to visually identify the aircraft on their radar screen.

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) uses GPS and transmits aircraft position and other information to ATC and other aircraft, enhancing situational awareness.

This is a type of ADS-B message transmitted on the 1090 MHz frequency, including additional information beyond the standard transponder data.

ATC provides advisories regarding the position, direction, type, and altitude of other aircraft within radar coverage to pilots.

A service provided by ATC facilities with radar capabilities for aircraft on instrument and VFR flight plans within radar coverage.

The position of other aircraft is given relative to the 12-hour clock, based on the pilot's heading, not true north.

Terminal Radar Service Area is a designated airspace around airports where ATC provides separation between VFR and IFR aircraft.

This occurs when air travels over an aircraft's wings, creating swirling air vortices behind the aircraft, posing hazards to following aircraft.

The intensity of wake turbulence varies based on the aircraft's size and weight, larger aircraft create stronger vortices that can be dangerous.

Wake turbulence can create rolling moments on encountering aircraft, potentially exceeding control authority, and can damage aircraft components if encountered closely.

Aircraft may not automatically report altitude changes, and this can result in inaccurate information being presented to controllers.

This command instructs pilots to stop transmitting altitude reporting while continuing to transmit other transponder data, allowing controllers to focus on other aspects of the aircraft's information.

Permission from Air Traffic Control is required to cross the runway holding position marking, ensuring the runway is clear and safe to enter.

A procedure allowing an aircraft to land on a runway while another aircraft is holding short of the runway.

The pilot in command (PIC) has the final decision to accept or decline a LAHSO clearance, assessing if they can comply with the reduced runway distance.

Runway numbers are determined by their magnetic heading, measured clockwise from magnetic north.

Runways located side-by-side, differentiated by a letter (L, R, C) to indicate their position.

These intersections can be challenging for pilots due to potential navigational difficulties.

It warns pilots of an upcoming runway and to be prepared for a possible hold.

This area around an Instrument Landing System (ILS) must be free of obstacles for accurate instrument approaches.

This instruction from ATC tells pilots to stop at the designated holding position before entering the ILS critical area.