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Quiz: 6 Questions To See How Much You Know About Airports

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  1. 1) You're flying into tower controlled airport during the day. When is ATC required to turn on the beacon?

    According to the AIM, there's no regulatory requirement to turn on the airport beacon when weather drops below VFR minimums. And, at many airports, the tower can't control the beacon - it's controlled by a photoelectric cell or a timer.  At airports where the tower can control the beacon, the ATC rulebook (FAA Order 7110.65) requires tower controllers to turn on the beacon between sunrise and sunset anytime the weather drops below basic VFR minimums.  So, since you don't know if the tower can control the beacon at an airport, you should use the latest weather observation to determine if the field's IFR - not the beacon.

    According to the AIM, there's no regulatory requirement to turn on the airport beacon when weather drops below VFR minimums. And, at many airports, the tower can't control the beacon - it's controlled by a photoelectric cell or a timer.  At airports where the tower can control the beacon, the ATC rulebook (FAA Order 7110.65) requires tower controllers to turn on the beacon between sunrise and sunset anytime the weather drops below basic VFR minimums.  So, since you don't know if the tower can control the beacon at an airport, you should use the latest weather observation to determine if the field's IFR - not the beacon.

  2. 2) You're flying into Boggs, and you notice that the 122.725 frequency is in italics. What is it?
    Boldmethod

    This is the UNICOM frequency, which at some non-towered airports may be different than the CTAF frequency.

    This is the UNICOM frequency, which at some non-towered airports may be different than the CTAF frequency.

  3. 3) Why does Leaders Clear Lake (8Y6) appear as a hollow circle?
    Boldmethod

    A hollow circle indicates an airport with only non-hard surfaced runways (like grass or dirt), or an airport where all hard runways are less than 1500' long.

    A hollow circle indicates an airport with only non-hard surfaced runways (like grass or dirt), or an airport where all hard runways are less than 1500' long.

  4. 4) You're flying in Denver's Class B at 9,000' MSL. What's the fastest you can fly?
    Boldmethod

    Since you're below 10,000' MSL, you're limited to 250 knots. However, Class B airspace doesn't specifically limit your airspeed.

    Since you're below 10,000' MSL, you're limited to 250 knots. However, Class B airspace doesn't specifically limit your airspeed.

  5. 5) What is "local airport advisory" service?

    Flight service stations provide airport advisory services if they're on field (Local Airport Advisory) or via a remote outlet for certain airports (Remote Airport Advisory). This service includes general weather conditions (ATIS) and updates on known traffic. Local Airport Advisory (LAA) service is available only in Alaska and is operated within 10 statute miles of an airport where a control tower is not operating but where a FSS is located on the airport. 

    Flight service stations provide airport advisory services if they're on field (Local Airport Advisory) or via a remote outlet for certain airports (Remote Airport Advisory). This service includes general weather conditions (ATIS) and updates on known traffic. Local Airport Advisory (LAA) service is available only in Alaska and is operated within 10 statute miles of an airport where a control tower is not operating but where a FSS is located on the airport. 

  6. 6) Why is there a star next to the tower control frequency (118.25) for St. Cloud?
    Boldmethod

    A star next to the control tower frequency means the tower operates part-time.

    A star next to the control tower frequency means the tower operates part-time.

That was a tough one...

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Nice work, you've got this airport stuff under control.

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Nailed it!

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Thinking about becoming a pilot? Get started with UND Aerospace Phoenix, and find out what it takes to start your aviation career here.


Corey Komarec

Corey is an Airbus 320 First Officer for a U.S. Major Carrier. He graduated as an aviation major from the University of North Dakota, and he's been flying since he was 16. You can reach him at corey@boldmethod.com.

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