Mixed Deck — All ADX Topics Flashcards

A dispatcher's certificate can be suspended or revoked by the FAA under which authority?

Answer: 49 USC 44709 (reexamination authority)

49 USC 44709 grants the FAA Administrator authority to reexamine, suspend, or revoke any airman certificate including the dispatcher certificate.

A flight is planned from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Denver International (DEN). The dispatcher notes a SIGMET for severe turbulence along the direct route. What is the BEST initial course of action?

Answer: Evaluate an alternate route that avoids the SIGMET area and assess fuel implications

Dispatchers have joint responsibility for flight safety and must proactively evaluate alternate routing to avoid significant hazards like severe turbulence SIGMETs.

FDC NOTAMs primarily address which category of aeronautical information?

Answer: Regulatory changes including amendments to published instrument procedures and aeronautical charts

FDC NOTAMs carry regulatory authority and address changes to published instrument procedures, chart corrections, and other legally significant aeronautical information.

What is the correct procedure when a warning light activates during operation?

Answer: Safely reduce speed, pull over when possible, and assess the situation

Warning lights indicate potential safety issues and should be addressed promptly by safely stopping and investigating.

A passenger is seated in an emergency exit row but does not speak English. What action is required?

Answer: The passenger must be reseated to a non-exit row seat

FAR 121.585 and carrier procedures require that exit row passengers be able to read, speak, and understand English to follow crew instructions during an evacuation.

What is the dispatcher's role when a NOTAM is issued for a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) that overlaps a flight's planned route?

Answer: Review the TFR boundaries and timing, and reroute the flight prior to departure to avoid the restricted airspace

The dispatcher must identify TFR boundaries and valid times, and reroute the flight to avoid the restricted airspace if the TFR is active during the planned flight.

A flight attendant reports a passenger is using a portable electronic device (PED) that may be interfering with aircraft systems. What should the crew do?

Answer: Instruct the passenger to turn off the device and report the incident per company procedures

The crew should immediately require the passenger to turn off the suspected device and document the incident per airline safety reporting procedures.

Class A airspace in the contiguous United States extends from FL180 to what upper limit?

Answer: FL600

Class A airspace extends from 18,000 feet MSL (FL180) to FL600 in the contiguous United States.

What is the significance of the term 'sterile cockpit' during an emergency, and how does it affect dispatcher communication?

Answer: Dispatchers should limit communications to safety-essential information and avoid routine messages during critical flight phases or emergencies

During critical phases of flight, dispatchers must prioritize and limit ACARS and radio messages to avoid distracting the crew from essential tasks.

An aircraft reports a bird strike that has disabled one engine on departure. The dispatcher's release for the flight was based on two-engine performance. What action is required?

Answer: Jointly evaluate the situation with the captain and recommend an appropriate course of action

Under the joint responsibility doctrine (FAR 121.533), dispatcher and captain must jointly assess changed conditions and agree on a safe course of action.

A dispatcher is reviewing a Winds and Temperatures Aloft forecast (FB). The entry '7306+04' at FL390 means:

Answer: Wind from 230° at 106 knots, temperature +04°C

When the wind direction digits exceed 36 (e.g., 73), subtract 50 from the direction and add 100 knots to the speed: 73-50=230°, 06+100=106 knots, temperature +04°C.

Which of the following changes to a filed IFR flight plan does NOT require a corresponding amendment to the air carrier's dispatch release?

Answer: A change in cruise altitude requested by ATC for separation

ATC-assigned altitude changes for traffic separation are routine ATC actions and do not require amendment to the carrier's dispatch release.

What does 'operational control' mean under 14 CFR Part 121?

Answer: The exercise of authority over initiating, conducting, or terminating a flight

Under 14 CFR 121.533, operational control is the authority to initiate, conduct, or terminate a flight, shared between the PIC and the dispatcher.

What system automatically adjusts control surface deflection to maintain aircraft stability without pilot input?

Answer: Stability augmentation system (SAS)

Stability augmentation systems make small, rapid control surface corrections to improve aircraft handling qualities, particularly in yaw and pitch axes.

What is the regulatory significance of a 'flag operation' versus a 'domestic operation' for dispatch planning?

Answer: Flag operations have different fuel reserve and alternate requirements

Flag operations (international) have distinct fuel reserve requirements and alternate airport rules under 14 CFR 121.645 compared to domestic operations under 121.639.

Which synoptic feature is most likely to produce widespread IFR conditions with low ceilings and restricted visibility across a large geographic area?

Answer: A stationary front with warm moist air overrunning it

A stationary front allows warm, moist air to overrun the front for extended periods, producing widespread stratus, low ceilings, and IFR conditions over a large area.

Which weather product provides the dispatcher with winds-aloft forecasts specifically useful for fuel planning on a domestic US flight?

Answer: FB (Winds and Temperatures Aloft Forecast)

The Winds and Temperatures Aloft Forecast (FB) provides forecast wind direction, speed, and temperature at various flight levels used for fuel planning.

An air carrier's operations specifications are amended by the FAA. How must the carrier ensure dispatchers are in compliance?

Answer: Incorporate the change into training records and ensure dispatcher acknowledgment per the approved training program

Changes to OpSpecs affecting dispatch duties must be incorporated into the approved training and notification process so dispatchers are aware of and comply with new procedures.

What does 'continuous monitoring' require of a Part 121 dispatcher throughout a flight?

Answer: Tracking weather, NOTAMs, aircraft position, and any operational changes that could affect the flight's safety

Continuous monitoring requires the dispatcher to actively track all factors affecting flight safety, including weather, NOTAMs, routing, and operational status throughout the flight.

A dispatcher receives word that the destination airport has just lost its ILS and only a VOR approach is now available. The aircraft is airborne. The dispatcher should FIRST:

Answer: Assess whether the current weather at the destination meets the VOR approach minimums and contact the crew

The dispatcher must first evaluate whether minimums are still met and communicate with the crew so a joint decision can be made.