Free AVOP Airside Rules and Procedures Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: While driving on an apron service road, you discover a loose piece of metal that has likely fallen off another vehicle. What is the correct immediate action to take regarding this Foreign Object Debris (FOD)?
- Report it to your supervisor at the end of your shift.
- Stop safely, and if possible, remove the debris yourself. (Correct answer)
- Make a wide turn to drive over the object to flatten it.
- Ignore it, as dedicated cleaning crews will eventually find it.
Correct answer: Stop safely, and if possible, remove the debris yourself.
All personnel operating airside are responsible for FOD prevention. If you encounter FOD, you are required to stop and remove it if it is safe to do so. This immediate action prevents potential damage to aircraft engines, tires, or injury to personnel. If it's not safe to remove, its location must be reported immediately.
Question 2: Which of the following has the highest right-of-way over all other traffic on the airside?
- An airport operations vehicle with a flashing yellow beacon.
- A fleet of baggage carts moving along a vehicle corridor.
- An aircraft being pushed back from a gate by a tow tractor. (Correct answer)
- An emergency vehicle responding to a call with lights and sirens active.
Correct answer: An aircraft being pushed back from a gate by a tow tractor.
Aircraft always have the ultimate right-of-way, whether they are taxiing under their own power, being towed, or being pushed back. All vehicles and pedestrians must yield to aircraft movements in all circumstances to ensure the highest level of safety.
Question 3: You are driving a vehicle on the maneuvering area and experience a complete two-way radio failure. After trying to re-establish communication, what is a primary visual action you should take to alert Air Traffic Control (ATC) to your situation?
- Turn on your four-way hazard lights and continue to your destination.
- Flash your headlights repeatedly at the control tower.
- Drive in a serpentine 'S' pattern on the taxiway.
- Stop the vehicle, turn on the rotating beacon, and wait for light gun signals. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Stop the vehicle, turn on the rotating beacon, and wait for light gun signals.
In the event of a radio failure on the maneuvering area, the standard procedure is to make your vehicle conspicuous and await instructions. Stopping the vehicle and keeping the rotating beacon on indicates you are not moving and are aware of a problem. You should then watch the control tower for light gun signals, which ATC will use to provide instructions. Continuing to drive without communication is extremely hazardous.
Question 4: When operating a vehicle airside, what is the general rule regarding the use of vehicle lights during both day and night?
- Headlights are only required between sunset and sunrise.
- The rotating amber beacon must be active at all times the vehicle is operating. (Correct answer)
- High beams should be used at night for maximum visibility.
- Only hazard lights are necessary when parked on an aircraft stand.
Correct answer: The rotating amber beacon must be active at all times the vehicle is operating.
To ensure vehicles are visible to aircraft and other vehicles, the rotating amber beacon (or strobe light) must be turned on at all times when operating on the airside, including during daylight hours. Dipped headlights are also required at night and during periods of low visibility.
Question 5: You are approaching an aircraft stand where an aircraft is being prepared for departure. Its red anti-collision beacon is flashing. What must you do?
- Proceed with caution as the aircraft is not yet moving.
- Wait until the ground crew gives you a hand signal to pass.
- Hold your position and remain clear of the aircraft's safety envelope. (Correct answer)
- Drive quickly behind the aircraft before it begins to push back.
Correct answer: Hold your position and remain clear of the aircraft's safety envelope.
A flashing red anti-collision beacon on an aircraft indicates that the engines are running or are about to be started, or that the aircraft is about to move. For safety, all vehicles must stay clear of the designated safety area around the aircraft until the beacon is turned off and the aircraft is safely parked or has departed the area.
Question 6: While driving on a remote service road, you encounter a deer on the pavement ahead. Which of the following is the most appropriate course of action?
- Honk the horn repeatedly to scare the animal off the road.
- Attempt to drive around the animal while maintaining your speed.
- Stop the vehicle, and if the animal does not move, report its location to Airside Operations or ATC. (Correct answer)
- Turn off your lights to avoid startling the animal and proceed slowly.
Correct answer: Stop the vehicle, and if the animal does not move, report its location to Airside Operations or ATC.
Wildlife on the airfield poses a significant risk to both vehicles and aircraft. The correct procedure is to stop a safe distance away. If the animal does not leave the area, its presence and location must be reported immediately to the appropriate authority (such as Airside Operations, Airport Management, or ATC) so that wildlife control procedures can be initiated. Attempting to scare or bypass the animal could cause it to run into the path of other traffic or an aircraft.
While driving on an apron service road, you discover a loose piece of metal that has likely fallen off another vehicle.
What is the correct immediate action to take regarding this Foreign Object Debris (FOD)?