[ALRC] AL Runway Contractor Certification Exam
Guide
**Question 1.** What is the primary purpose of clearing and grubbing on a runway
construction site?
A) To improve soil compaction
B) To remove vegetation and debris that could impede grading and drainage
C) To create a visual guide for equipment operators
D) To increase the bearing capacity of the subgrade
Answer: B
Explanation: Clearing and grubbing removes vegetation and debris, providing a clean surface for
accurate grading and effective drainage, which are critical for runway safety.
**Question 2.** Which soil moisture condition yields the maximum dry density for most airport
subgrade soils according to the Proctor test?
A) Saturated condition
B) Optimum moisture content (OMC)
C) Dry condition
D) Moist condition above OMC
Answer: B
Explanation: The optimum moisture content is the specific water amount at which a soil
achieves its maximum dry density during compaction.
**Question 3.** When designing an embankment for a runway, the most critical factor to
consider is:
A) The aesthetic appearance of the slope
B) The bearing capacity to support heavy aircraft loads
C) The speed of construction crews
D) The type of vegetation to be planted later
Answer: B
,[ALRC] AL Runway Contractor Certification Exam
Guide
Explanation: Runway embankments must sustain high tire pressures and heavy loads without
excessive settlement, making bearing capacity the primary concern.
**Question 4.** The standard slope for a runway safety area (RSA) to ensure proper drainage is:
A) 0.5% (1:200)
B) 1% (1:100)
C) 2% (1:50)
D) 4% (1:25)
Answer: C
Explanation: A 2% cross‑slope promotes rapid runoff, preventing water accumulation that could
lead to hydroplaning.
**Question 5.** Which of the following best describes a “frangible” object in the context of RSA
requirements?
A) A permanent concrete barrier
B) A lightweight, breakaway fence or barricade designed to minimize damage to aircraft
C) An underground drainage pipe
D) A high‑strength steel guardrail
Answer: B
Explanation: Frangible objects are designed to break away on impact, reducing the severity of
aircraft damage if an overrun occurs.
**Question 6.** In runway grading, a “cut and fill” operation is primarily used to:
A) Install lighting systems
B) Adjust the elevation of the runway surface to meet design profiles while minimizing material
transport
C) Create decorative landscaping
,[ALRC] AL Runway Contractor Certification Exam
Guide
D) Install signage for construction zones
Answer: B
Explanation: Cut and fill balances earth removal and placement to achieve the required runway
elevation without excessive import or export of material.
**Question 7.** The most common method for testing the density of compacted runway
subgrade is:
A) Nuclear density gauge
B) Sand cone method
C) Water displacement test
D) Penetrometer reading
Answer: A
Explanation: Nuclear density gauges provide rapid, accurate measurements of in‑place density
and moisture content, essential for quality control.
**Question 8.** Which of the following drainage structures is typically installed beneath a
runway to prevent water pooling?
A) French drain with perforated pipe
b) Surface swales only
c) Stormwater retention pond
d) Open‑cut ditches on the side of the runway
Answer: A
Explanation: A French drain with perforated pipe under the pavement captures subsurface
water and directs it away, protecting the runway from hydroplaning hazards.
**Question 9.** The FAA AC 150/5300‑13 defines the minimum width of a runway safety area
for a Code 4E runway. What is that width?
, [ALRC] AL Runway Contractor Certification Exam
Guide
A) 75 ft (23 m)
B) 150 ft (46 m)
C) 250 ft (76 m)
D) 300 ft (91 m)
Answer: C
Explanation: For a Code 4E runway, AC 150/5300‑13 requires a 250 ft RSA to provide adequate
overrun protection for large aircraft.
**Question 10.** When laying a Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) runway surface, the target in‑place
density should be at least:
A) 85% of the maximum theoretical density (MTD)
B) 90% of the MTD
C) 95% of the MTD
D) 100% of the MTD
Answer: C
Explanation: A minimum of 95% of the MTD ensures sufficient strength and durability to resist
rutting under heavy aircraft loads.
**Question 11.** Which compaction method is preferred for the final pass on a newly placed
HMA runway surface?
A) Single‑wheel roller
B) Tandem vibratory roller
c) Pneumatic tire roller
d) Steel‑wheel roller
Answer: B
Explanation: Tandem vibratory rollers provide uniform compaction and high density, essential
for the surface layer of a runway.
Guide
**Question 1.** What is the primary purpose of clearing and grubbing on a runway
construction site?
A) To improve soil compaction
B) To remove vegetation and debris that could impede grading and drainage
C) To create a visual guide for equipment operators
D) To increase the bearing capacity of the subgrade
Answer: B
Explanation: Clearing and grubbing removes vegetation and debris, providing a clean surface for
accurate grading and effective drainage, which are critical for runway safety.
**Question 2.** Which soil moisture condition yields the maximum dry density for most airport
subgrade soils according to the Proctor test?
A) Saturated condition
B) Optimum moisture content (OMC)
C) Dry condition
D) Moist condition above OMC
Answer: B
Explanation: The optimum moisture content is the specific water amount at which a soil
achieves its maximum dry density during compaction.
**Question 3.** When designing an embankment for a runway, the most critical factor to
consider is:
A) The aesthetic appearance of the slope
B) The bearing capacity to support heavy aircraft loads
C) The speed of construction crews
D) The type of vegetation to be planted later
Answer: B
,[ALRC] AL Runway Contractor Certification Exam
Guide
Explanation: Runway embankments must sustain high tire pressures and heavy loads without
excessive settlement, making bearing capacity the primary concern.
**Question 4.** The standard slope for a runway safety area (RSA) to ensure proper drainage is:
A) 0.5% (1:200)
B) 1% (1:100)
C) 2% (1:50)
D) 4% (1:25)
Answer: C
Explanation: A 2% cross‑slope promotes rapid runoff, preventing water accumulation that could
lead to hydroplaning.
**Question 5.** Which of the following best describes a “frangible” object in the context of RSA
requirements?
A) A permanent concrete barrier
B) A lightweight, breakaway fence or barricade designed to minimize damage to aircraft
C) An underground drainage pipe
D) A high‑strength steel guardrail
Answer: B
Explanation: Frangible objects are designed to break away on impact, reducing the severity of
aircraft damage if an overrun occurs.
**Question 6.** In runway grading, a “cut and fill” operation is primarily used to:
A) Install lighting systems
B) Adjust the elevation of the runway surface to meet design profiles while minimizing material
transport
C) Create decorative landscaping
,[ALRC] AL Runway Contractor Certification Exam
Guide
D) Install signage for construction zones
Answer: B
Explanation: Cut and fill balances earth removal and placement to achieve the required runway
elevation without excessive import or export of material.
**Question 7.** The most common method for testing the density of compacted runway
subgrade is:
A) Nuclear density gauge
B) Sand cone method
C) Water displacement test
D) Penetrometer reading
Answer: A
Explanation: Nuclear density gauges provide rapid, accurate measurements of in‑place density
and moisture content, essential for quality control.
**Question 8.** Which of the following drainage structures is typically installed beneath a
runway to prevent water pooling?
A) French drain with perforated pipe
b) Surface swales only
c) Stormwater retention pond
d) Open‑cut ditches on the side of the runway
Answer: A
Explanation: A French drain with perforated pipe under the pavement captures subsurface
water and directs it away, protecting the runway from hydroplaning hazards.
**Question 9.** The FAA AC 150/5300‑13 defines the minimum width of a runway safety area
for a Code 4E runway. What is that width?
, [ALRC] AL Runway Contractor Certification Exam
Guide
A) 75 ft (23 m)
B) 150 ft (46 m)
C) 250 ft (76 m)
D) 300 ft (91 m)
Answer: C
Explanation: For a Code 4E runway, AC 150/5300‑13 requires a 250 ft RSA to provide adequate
overrun protection for large aircraft.
**Question 10.** When laying a Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) runway surface, the target in‑place
density should be at least:
A) 85% of the maximum theoretical density (MTD)
B) 90% of the MTD
C) 95% of the MTD
D) 100% of the MTD
Answer: C
Explanation: A minimum of 95% of the MTD ensures sufficient strength and durability to resist
rutting under heavy aircraft loads.
**Question 11.** Which compaction method is preferred for the final pass on a newly placed
HMA runway surface?
A) Single‑wheel roller
B) Tandem vibratory roller
c) Pneumatic tire roller
d) Steel‑wheel roller
Answer: B
Explanation: Tandem vibratory rollers provide uniform compaction and high density, essential
for the surface layer of a runway.
