FAA AIRCRAFT DISPATCHER 2026/2027 TEST PAPER
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔How does a VOR work? - ✔✔Very High Frequency
Omni Directional
Radio Range
(VOR) is a type of short-range radio navigation system for aircraft, enabling aircraft with
a receiving unit to determine their position and stay on course by receiving radio signals
transmitted by a network of fixed ground radio beacons.
✔✔Under what circumstances is a takeoff alternate required? What requirements must
be met in order to list an airport as a takeoff alternate? - ✔✔When either the visibility or
the ceiling is is less than the available instrument approaches to be used to return to the
airport if necessary after takeoff.
2 engines or fewer - 1SM visibility is required for takeoff.
3 engines or greater - 1/2SM is required for takeoff.
✔✔How does an NDB work? - ✔✔A low or medium frequency radio beacon transmits
non-directional signals whereby the pilot of an aircraft properly equipped can determine
bearings and "home" on the station.
✔✔How does GPS work? - ✔✔GPS navigation utilizes ground based monitoring and
control stations along with A constellation of over 30 Navstar Satellites.
✔✔Which altitudes is an IFR Low Enroute chart used for? - ✔✔SFC up to but not
including 18,000ft
✔✔As a dispatcher, what course of action do you have to take if the original alternate
that you listed on the dispatch release goes below alternate minimums while the aircraft
is enroute? - ✔✔The dispatch or flight release may be amended enroute to include an
alternate that is within fuel range of the aircraft and that would be capable of supporting
that type aircraft.
FAR 121.631
✔✔Which altitude is an IFR high altitude chart used for? - ✔✔18,000 ft (FL180) - FL450
✔✔What is a MEA? - ✔✔MEA= Minimum enroute altitude
✔✔What is a MOCA? - ✔✔MOCA = Minimum obstacle clearance altitude
✔✔What is the operational service volume of a high VOR? - ✔✔H (High Altitude) From
1,000 feet AGL up to and including 14,500 feet AGL at radial distances out to 40 NM.
From 14,500 AGL up to and including 18,000 feet at radial distances out to 100 NM.
, From 18,000 feet AGL up to and including 45,000 feet AGL at radial distances out to
130 NM. From 45,000 feet AGL up to and including 60,000 feet at radial distances out
to 100 NM.
✔✔What is the operational service volume of a low VOR? - ✔✔T (Terminal) From 1,000
feet above ground level (AGL) up to and including 12,000 feet AGL at radial distances
out to 25 NM.
L (Low Altitude) From 1,000 feet AGL up to and including 18,000 feet AGL at radial
distances out to 40 NM.
✔✔How many hydraulic systems does the B727 have? What are they? - ✔✔Two.
System A and System B.
✔✔What is the main source of electrical power for the B727? - ✔✔The airplane has
three engine-driven generators that provide AC power.
✔✔What does hydraulic System A power? - ✔✔Leading edge devices
Outboard flight spoilers
Nose gear steering
Ground spoilers
Flaps
Elevators
Lower Rudder
Landing gear actuation
Ailerons
✔✔How does the AC power get converted to DC power? - ✔✔Transformer rectifier
✔✔As an aircraft dispatcher, what considerations do you need to make if the APU is
inop? - ✔✔Make sure that external electrical and pneumatic power (GPU/Air start) are
available at all airports of intended operation
✔✔What is the back-up source of electrical power for the B727? - ✔✔The battery will
provide emergency electrical power for up to 25 minutes if the primary systems fail. It
will power captains essential instruments
✔✔What is a Constant Speed Drive? - ✔✔Constant Speed Drive--Converts variable
engine speed (RPM) to a steady speed (RPM) for the generator.
✔✔What is the max structural takeoff weight for the B727? - ✔✔178,000 pounds
✔✔How many fuel tanks does the B727 have? How much fuel does each tank hold? -
✔✔Three. Tanks 1 and 3 can each hold 12,000lbs, Tank 2 can hold 27,500lbs
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔How does a VOR work? - ✔✔Very High Frequency
Omni Directional
Radio Range
(VOR) is a type of short-range radio navigation system for aircraft, enabling aircraft with
a receiving unit to determine their position and stay on course by receiving radio signals
transmitted by a network of fixed ground radio beacons.
✔✔Under what circumstances is a takeoff alternate required? What requirements must
be met in order to list an airport as a takeoff alternate? - ✔✔When either the visibility or
the ceiling is is less than the available instrument approaches to be used to return to the
airport if necessary after takeoff.
2 engines or fewer - 1SM visibility is required for takeoff.
3 engines or greater - 1/2SM is required for takeoff.
✔✔How does an NDB work? - ✔✔A low or medium frequency radio beacon transmits
non-directional signals whereby the pilot of an aircraft properly equipped can determine
bearings and "home" on the station.
✔✔How does GPS work? - ✔✔GPS navigation utilizes ground based monitoring and
control stations along with A constellation of over 30 Navstar Satellites.
✔✔Which altitudes is an IFR Low Enroute chart used for? - ✔✔SFC up to but not
including 18,000ft
✔✔As a dispatcher, what course of action do you have to take if the original alternate
that you listed on the dispatch release goes below alternate minimums while the aircraft
is enroute? - ✔✔The dispatch or flight release may be amended enroute to include an
alternate that is within fuel range of the aircraft and that would be capable of supporting
that type aircraft.
FAR 121.631
✔✔Which altitude is an IFR high altitude chart used for? - ✔✔18,000 ft (FL180) - FL450
✔✔What is a MEA? - ✔✔MEA= Minimum enroute altitude
✔✔What is a MOCA? - ✔✔MOCA = Minimum obstacle clearance altitude
✔✔What is the operational service volume of a high VOR? - ✔✔H (High Altitude) From
1,000 feet AGL up to and including 14,500 feet AGL at radial distances out to 40 NM.
From 14,500 AGL up to and including 18,000 feet at radial distances out to 100 NM.
, From 18,000 feet AGL up to and including 45,000 feet AGL at radial distances out to
130 NM. From 45,000 feet AGL up to and including 60,000 feet at radial distances out
to 100 NM.
✔✔What is the operational service volume of a low VOR? - ✔✔T (Terminal) From 1,000
feet above ground level (AGL) up to and including 12,000 feet AGL at radial distances
out to 25 NM.
L (Low Altitude) From 1,000 feet AGL up to and including 18,000 feet AGL at radial
distances out to 40 NM.
✔✔How many hydraulic systems does the B727 have? What are they? - ✔✔Two.
System A and System B.
✔✔What is the main source of electrical power for the B727? - ✔✔The airplane has
three engine-driven generators that provide AC power.
✔✔What does hydraulic System A power? - ✔✔Leading edge devices
Outboard flight spoilers
Nose gear steering
Ground spoilers
Flaps
Elevators
Lower Rudder
Landing gear actuation
Ailerons
✔✔How does the AC power get converted to DC power? - ✔✔Transformer rectifier
✔✔As an aircraft dispatcher, what considerations do you need to make if the APU is
inop? - ✔✔Make sure that external electrical and pneumatic power (GPU/Air start) are
available at all airports of intended operation
✔✔What is the back-up source of electrical power for the B727? - ✔✔The battery will
provide emergency electrical power for up to 25 minutes if the primary systems fail. It
will power captains essential instruments
✔✔What is a Constant Speed Drive? - ✔✔Constant Speed Drive--Converts variable
engine speed (RPM) to a steady speed (RPM) for the generator.
✔✔What is the max structural takeoff weight for the B727? - ✔✔178,000 pounds
✔✔How many fuel tanks does the B727 have? How much fuel does each tank hold? -
✔✔Three. Tanks 1 and 3 can each hold 12,000lbs, Tank 2 can hold 27,500lbs
