59 Questions
What is the primary purpose of the airspace classification scheme by the FAA?
To ensure maximum separation and active control in areas of dense or high-speed flight operations
Which airspace category requires ATC to separate all aircraft, whether IFR or VFR?
Positive controlled airspace (PCA)
In which type of airspace do VFR pilots provide their own separation when weather permits?
Controlled airspace
What is the purpose of the FAA and other national agencies providing varying levels of security and control in different airspace classifications?
To provide varying levels of security and control appropriate to the type of operation and traffic density within each class of airspace
What does the FAA intend to achieve through the airspace classification scheme?
To provide maximum pilot flexibility with acceptable levels of risk appropriate to the type of operation and traffic density within each class of airspace
What is the third category of airspace within the airspace classification scheme?
Uncontrolled airspace
What must be included in a pilot's departure clearance to assign a DP (departure procedure)?
The route of flight including airways or VOR radials
What is the minimum number of fixes required in the route of flight issued to a pilot?
Two
According to ATC handbook procedures, what should altitude assignment conform to?
Traffic organization and safe distances between aircraft
When can a controller assign an altitude below minimum en route altitude (MEA)?
Never
In case of radio failure, what should pilots do with regards to their assigned altitude?
Remain at assigned altitude until specified time and then climb to previously assigned or next higher altitude
What information should holding instructions include if an aircraft needs to be held over a fix en route to the destination airport?
Direction of turns, name of holding fix, and radial or course to hold
What type of turns are required in a standard holding pattern?
Right-hand turns
What length is the inbound leg expected to be in a standard holding pattern?
1 minute
When are nonstandard holding patterns used?
In special circumstances such as airspace congestion or ATC request
In case of radio failure, what is the pilot expected to do with regards to altitude assignments?
Remain at assigned altitude until specified time and then climb to previously assigned or next higher altitude
What should pilots do according to Aeronautical Information Manual procedures if they need to enter a holding pattern?
Enter according to Aeronautical Information Manual procedures and make inbound leg 1 minute in length
What should pilots do if an aircraft needs to be held over a fix en route to the destination airport?
Follow any published holding instructions for that fix
Which type of pilots need accurate holding instructions to maintain proper alignment for landing?
IFR pilots
What does an IFR clearance to an aircraft operating in controlled airspace usually include?
Routes, arrival procedures, and frequency/transponder assignments
What are STARs in the context of IFR flight?
Standard terminal arrival routes
When are clearance amendments necessary for IFR flights?
As the IFR flight progresses towards the destination airport
In what type of airspace is IFR flight permitted without air traffic control services?
Uncontrolled airspace
Under what conditions may VFR pilots fly in controlled airspace without contacting ATC?
If they do not enter special use airspace
What type of flight plan is kept as records by ATC?
VFR
Before starting an IFR flight, pilots must receive clearance from ATC which includes:
Aircraft identification and clearance limit
What are departure procedures (DPs) assigned by ATC for?
To ensure safe and efficient departure
How are aircraft types identified?
Using FAA codes
Which of the following is not an example of aircraft types and suffix codes?
Bombardier Challenger CL60
Which of the following is not an equipment capability for aircraft?
$B777$
When airborne, in which situation does a pilot need to transmit flight plan information to proper ATC facilities?
$IFR$ flight plan filed
What does an IFR flight plan require?
$IFR$ type, aircraft identification number, and fuel on board
$RNP$ is an equipment capability for aircraft. What does $RNP$ stand for?
Required Navigation Performance
Which agency sells published departure procedures (DPs)?
Aeronautical charting agencies
Which type of airspace requires ATC to separate all aircraft?
Class A airspace
What does the ATC do with VFR flight plans?
Keep them as records
What type of airspace includes areas for specific activities or restrictions such as prohibited, restricted, warning, and military operations?
Special Use Airspace
Which category of airspace provides ATC services to IFR aircraft and allows VFR flights if weather conditions permit 'see and avoid'?
Controlled Airspace
What does Class A airspace offer in terms of restrictions and services?
Maximum services and separation
In which year did the FAA, along with industry groups, begin a review to simplify the US airspace system and reclassify it into six classes?
1982
What type of airspace prohibits or separates VFR and IFR flights for high-altitude or high-density airport operations?
Positive Controlled Airspace
What does Class G airspace have in terms of restrictions?
Least restrictions
Which airspace category requires IFR flights to file a flight plan and receive a clearance from ATC?
Controlled Airspace
Before the reclassification in 1982, what was the historical status of US airspace?
Uncontrolled
What type of airspace does not provide ATC services?
Uncontrolled Airspace
Which type of airspace offers the most restrictions?
Class A airspace
What type of flights require 'see and avoid' separation from VFR aircraft in controlled airspace?
IFR Flights
What is the most common type of airspace in the US?
Controlled Airspace
According to Table 3–2, what is the minimum flight visibility for VFR operations in Class C airspace?
3 statute miles
In Class D airspace, how far should VFR aircraft maintain distance from clouds according to Table 3–2?
500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,000 feet horizontal
What is the approved cruising altitude for VFR aircraft in controlled airspace according to FAR 91.159?
Any even thousand foot MSL altitude ⫹500 feet
What is the required flight visibility for nighttime flight at more than 1,200 feet AGL but less than 10,000 feet MSL in uncontrolled airspace?
3 statute miles
What must pilots do if they need to fly in uncontrolled airspace and meet the weather minima outlined by FAR 91?
Provide their own separation from other VFR and IFR aircraft and the terrain
According to the text, when are nonstandard cruising altitudes permitted for VFR aircraft in controlled airspace?
When traffic conditions dictate and ATC permits it
What is the main purpose of providing varying levels of security and control in different airspace classifications?
To minimize the potential for midair collisions between two aircraft flying in opposite directions
What weather conditions must VFR pilots meet to fly in uncontrolled airspace according to FAR 91.155?
"Visual" meteorological conditions
"VFR pilots are not required to file a flight plan or contact ATC". This statement pertains to which type of airspace?
"Uncontrolled airspace"
"VFR aircraft operating under special VFR clearances are afforded IFR separation from both VFR and IFR aircraft by ATC". What does this imply about special VFR clearances?
"Special VFR clearances provide IFR-like separation services by ATC"
"ATC services are terminated, however, the VFR pilot should be advised to return the aircraft to the proper altitude as soon as it is feasible." When does this typically occur?
When the aircraft enters uncontrolled airspace.
Study Notes
- The text discusses four categories of airspace: Positive Controlled Airspace, Controlled Airspace, Uncontrolled Airspace, and Special Use Airspace.
- In Positive Controlled Airspace, the FAA prohibits or separates VFR and IFR flights for high-altitude or high-density airport operations.
- Controlled Airspace, covering most of the US airspace, provides ATC services to IFR aircraft and allows VFR flights if weather conditions permit "see and avoid."
- In Uncontrolled Airspace, no ATC services are provided, and all aircraft must provide their own separation.
- Special Use Airspace includes areas for specific activities or restrictions, such as prohibited, restricted, warning, military operations, alert, and controlled firing areas.
- Airspace in the US was historically uncontrolled, but as air traffic increased, more areas were designated as Controlled Airspace.
- In 1982, the FAA, along with industry groups, began a review to simplify the US airspace system and reclassified it into six classes: A, B, C, D, E, and G.
- Class A airspace is the most restrictive, offering maximum services and separation. Class G airspace has the least restrictions.
- IFR flights in controlled airspace require filing a flight plan and receiving a clearance from ATC. Pilots must also maintain "see and avoid" separation from VFR aircraft.
Test your knowledge of departure clearance procedures and route of flight in air traffic control with this quiz. Practice identifying and interpreting the instructions given by ATC for departing aircraft.
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