ACE - Airport Certified Employee Airport Communications Procedures Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An airport operations employee monitoring the radio hears a pilot state, "Metro Tower, Global 621, with information Tango." What is the primary purpose of this communication?
- To report a security concern onboard the aircraft.
- To acknowledge receipt of the current Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) broadcast. (Correct answer)
- To declare a low-fuel emergency requiring priority handling.
- To confirm the assigned departure runway with the controller.
Correct answer: To acknowledge receipt of the current Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) broadcast.
The Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) is a continuous broadcast of essential airport information, such as weather and runways in use. Each new recording is assigned a phonetic letter (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, etc.). When pilots make initial contact with ATC, they state the letter of the ATIS broadcast they have received (e.g., "Tango") to confirm they have the most current information.
Question 2: A ground vehicle operator's radio fails while on a taxiway. The operator looks toward the Air Traffic Control Tower and sees a flashing red light aimed at their vehicle. What action must the operator take?
- Proceed across the runway with extreme caution.
- Return to the starting point on the airport.
- Taxi clear of the runway or taxiway in use. (Correct answer)
- Stop and hold the current position.
Correct answer: Taxi clear of the runway or taxiway in use.
According to FAA light gun signals for ground vehicles, a flashing red light means to clear the taxiway or runway in use immediately. This signal indicates a potential hazard or that the area needs to be vacated for other traffic.
Question 3: Which of the following is the most complete and correct phraseology for a vehicle operator, "Maintenance 3," to acknowledge an instruction from Ground Control to hold short of Runway 18?
- "Roger, Maintenance 3."
- "Wilco, holding short."
- "Maintenance 3, holding short of Runway 18." (Correct answer)
- "Okay, I've got it."
Correct answer: "Maintenance 3, holding short of Runway 18."
Standard radio procedure requires a full readback of critical instructions, including your call sign and the specific clearance. This ensures the controller knows you have received and correctly understood the instruction. "Roger" only confirms receipt, and "Wilco" means you will comply, but neither confirms the actual instruction was heard correctly.
Question 4: At an airport where the control tower has closed for the night, pilots and ground vehicle operators must self-announce their positions and intentions on a designated frequency to coordinate traffic. What is this frequency called?
- UNICOM
- Ground Control Frequency
- Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS)
- Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF)
The Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) is designated for pilots and ground vehicles to communicate directly with each other at airports without an operating control tower. While a UNICOM frequency can be designated as the CTAF, CTAF is the specific term for the advisory frequency itself.
Question 5: A vehicle operator communicating with Air Traffic Control is told, "Go ahead." What does this phrase mean in standard aviation phraseology?
- Proceed onto the runway for crossing.
- State your request or message. (Correct answer)
- Your last transmission was unreadable.
- You are cleared to proceed as requested.
Correct answer: State your request or message.
In aviation phraseology, "Go ahead" is an invitation to transmit your message or request. It should never be interpreted as an instruction to physically proceed with a vehicle movement.
Question 6: During an aircraft incident, the first airport employee on scene must make an emergency radio transmission. What is the MOST critical piece of information to convey in the initial report?
- The precise location of the incident. (Correct answer)
- The number of people involved.
- The type of aircraft.
- The weather conditions at the scene.
Correct answer: The precise location of the incident.
While all pieces of information are valuable, the immediate priority for an emergency response is knowing exactly where to go. Providing a precise location (e.g., "at the intersection of Runway 10 and Taxiway Charlie") allows Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) and other responders to be dispatched without delay.
ACE - Airport Certified Employee Airport Communications Procedures Questions and Answers 1
An airport operations employee monitoring the radio hears a pilot state, "Metro Tower, Global 621, with information Tango." What is the primary purpose of this communication?