ACE - Airport Certified Employee Airfield Operations and Compliance Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to 14 CFR Part 139, what is the minimum frequency for conducting a self-inspection of the airfield for a certificated airport?
- Weekly, with additional inspections after unusual weather events.
- Daily, and also at night if the airport serves air carriers during hours of darkness. (Correct answer)
- Twice daily, once during the day and once at night.
- Only after an aircraft accident or incident has occurred.
Correct answer: Daily, and also at night if the airport serves air carriers during hours of darkness.
14 CFR Part 139.327 requires certificate holders to inspect the airport daily to ensure compliance. FAA Advisory Circular 150/5200-18D further clarifies that if the airport serves air carriers during hours of darkness, a nighttime inspection is also required.
Question 2: An airport operations officer conducting a runway inspection discovers a large pothole that could pose a hazard to aircraft. After closing the affected runway, what is the most appropriate immediate next step to ensure compliance and safety?
- Wait for the next scheduled maintenance cycle to repair the pothole.
- Only inform the airport manager and wait for further instructions.
- Issue a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) to alert pilots of the runway closure and hazard. (Correct answer)
- Request the air traffic control tower to verbally advise all aircraft of the pothole.
Correct answer: Issue a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) to alert pilots of the runway closure and hazard.
When an unsafe condition is identified that could affect the safety of aircraft operations, the airport operator must issue a NOTAM. This ensures the information is formally and widely disseminated to all flight crews and relevant personnel until the condition is corrected and the NOTAM is cancelled.
Question 3: Which of the following is a primary component of an airport's Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP) as required by the FAA?
- A list of all pilots who have reported a wildlife strike.
- A plan for coordinating with local zoos to relocate all wildlife.
- An inventory of all aircraft based at the airport.
- Procedures for identifying, assessing, and mitigating wildlife hazards. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Procedures for identifying, assessing, and mitigating wildlife hazards.
A WHMP, as mandated by the FAA for certificated airports, must include procedures for assessing wildlife populations, identifying attractants, and outlining specific actions to mitigate the risk of wildlife strikes. This involves both passive and active management techniques.
Question 4: A NOTAM that contains information of a regulatory nature, such as temporary flight restrictions or amendments to instrument approach procedures, is classified as a:
- NOTAM (D)
- Pointer NOTAM
- FDC NOTAM (Correct answer)
- Military NOTAM
Correct answer: FDC NOTAM
Flight Data Center (FDC) NOTAMs are issued by the National Flight Data Center and contain regulatory information. NOTAM (D)s cover information about airports and navigation facilities, Pointer NOTAMs highlight other NOTAMs, and Military NOTAMs are for military facilities.
Question 5: An airport vehicle operator is approaching a runway holding position marking from the continuous-line side. What action is required before proceeding?
- Proceed without stopping as they have the right-of-way.
- Flash vehicle headlights to signal intent to cross.
- Stop and obtain explicit clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC). (Correct answer)
- Yield only to aircraft that are visibly on final approach.
Correct answer: Stop and obtain explicit clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC).
The runway holding position marking (two solid yellow lines and two dashed yellow lines) indicates the boundary of the runway safety area. Vehicles and aircraft must stop on the solid-line side and get explicit permission from ATC before crossing into the movement area/runway.
Question 6: Which document, specific to each certificated airport, details the procedures, equipment, and personnel responsibilities for complying with 14 CFR Part 139?
- Airport Emergency Plan (AEP)
- Airport Layout Plan (ALP)
- Airport Master Record (Form 5010)
- Airport Certification Manual (ACM) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Airport Certification Manual (ACM)
The Airport Certification Manual (ACM) is the foundational, FAA-approved document that outlines exactly how a specific airport will comply with all applicable requirements of 14 CFR Part 139. The AEP, ALP, and Form 5010 are important documents but do not serve this comprehensive compliance role.
ACE - Airport Certified Employee Airfield Operations and Compliance Questions and Answers 1
According to 14 CFR Part 139, what is the minimum frequency for conducting a self-inspection of the airfield for a certificated airport?