AAAE ACE Operations Module 1 Questions
and Correct Answers
Question 1
Since heliports don't have runways, what are the key design elements?
Correct Answer
The TLOF (Touchdown and Liftoff Area), the FATO (Final Approach and Takeoff Area),
a safety area, wind sock and preferably two approach/departure paths to the
TLOF/FATO independent of active runway approaches/departures with an associated
protection zone to provide additional space in the event of an emergency landing
Question 2
What is the definition of aircraft delay?
Correct Answer
length of time an operation is postponed from its expected schedule.
Question 3
What characterizes a reliever airport?
Correct Answer
1) open to the public; 2) 100 or more based aircraft or 25,000 annual operations
Question 4
General aviation airports can be included in the NPIAS under what circumstances?
Correct Answer
If they have at least 10 locally based aircraft and are at least 20 miles from a NPIAS
airport
Page 1 of 18
,Question 5
Why does an airport need a Safety Management System?
Correct Answer
to increase the likelihood that airport operators will detect and correct safety
problems before those problems result in an aircraft incident.
Question 6
How is a TLOF marked and lighted?
Correct Answer
Outline is marked by a solid white 12" line and green lights with a letter H centered
in the area with a bar underneath designating the preferred route
Question 7
What distinguishes a scheduled operation of an air carrier?
Correct Answer
advance offering of the departure location, departure time and arrival location.
Question 8
What are four risk mitigation strategies?
Correct Answer
avoidance (stop or shift the operation), assumption (accepting the risk), control
(minimize or eliminate the risk), transfer (shift risk to another area)
Question 9
What is the term for the beginning or end of the full-strength runway pavement
available for takeoff and landing?
Correct Answer
Runway threshold
Page 2 of 18
, Question 10
How is airplane design group determined and categorized?
Correct Answer
Based on the aircraft's wingspan and tail height whichever is most restrictive; 6
categories, I thru VI, where I is the smallest/shortest and VI is the largest/tallest
Question 11
What are the 6 categories of airplane design group?
Correct Answer
I (tail height <20', wingspan <49'); II (tail height 20 - <30', wingspan 49 - <79'); III
(tail height 30 - <45'), wingspan 79-<118'); IV (tail height 45 - <60', wingspan 118 -
<171'); V (tail height 60 - <66', wingspan 171 - <214'); VI (tail height 66 - <80',
wingspan 214 - <262')
Question 12
When would a ground stop be used to control traffic delays?
Correct Answer
As a last resort due to unknown duration and extensive disruptions; typically in the
event of a runway closure, unforecast severe weather or event such as 9/11
Question 13
What is the purpose of a runway shoulder?
Correct Answer
resist runway erosion, passage of vehicles and surface for aircraft that veer off the
runway
Question 14
When a runway threshold is not located at the start of the full-strength pavement
what is it called and why would this occur?
Correct Answer
Displaced threshold; it is used to identify the first point for landing aircraft to avoid
an airspace obstruction, to mitigate environmental considerations, or to lengthen an
RSA or OFA
Page 3 of 18
and Correct Answers
Question 1
Since heliports don't have runways, what are the key design elements?
Correct Answer
The TLOF (Touchdown and Liftoff Area), the FATO (Final Approach and Takeoff Area),
a safety area, wind sock and preferably two approach/departure paths to the
TLOF/FATO independent of active runway approaches/departures with an associated
protection zone to provide additional space in the event of an emergency landing
Question 2
What is the definition of aircraft delay?
Correct Answer
length of time an operation is postponed from its expected schedule.
Question 3
What characterizes a reliever airport?
Correct Answer
1) open to the public; 2) 100 or more based aircraft or 25,000 annual operations
Question 4
General aviation airports can be included in the NPIAS under what circumstances?
Correct Answer
If they have at least 10 locally based aircraft and are at least 20 miles from a NPIAS
airport
Page 1 of 18
,Question 5
Why does an airport need a Safety Management System?
Correct Answer
to increase the likelihood that airport operators will detect and correct safety
problems before those problems result in an aircraft incident.
Question 6
How is a TLOF marked and lighted?
Correct Answer
Outline is marked by a solid white 12" line and green lights with a letter H centered
in the area with a bar underneath designating the preferred route
Question 7
What distinguishes a scheduled operation of an air carrier?
Correct Answer
advance offering of the departure location, departure time and arrival location.
Question 8
What are four risk mitigation strategies?
Correct Answer
avoidance (stop or shift the operation), assumption (accepting the risk), control
(minimize or eliminate the risk), transfer (shift risk to another area)
Question 9
What is the term for the beginning or end of the full-strength runway pavement
available for takeoff and landing?
Correct Answer
Runway threshold
Page 2 of 18
, Question 10
How is airplane design group determined and categorized?
Correct Answer
Based on the aircraft's wingspan and tail height whichever is most restrictive; 6
categories, I thru VI, where I is the smallest/shortest and VI is the largest/tallest
Question 11
What are the 6 categories of airplane design group?
Correct Answer
I (tail height <20', wingspan <49'); II (tail height 20 - <30', wingspan 49 - <79'); III
(tail height 30 - <45'), wingspan 79-<118'); IV (tail height 45 - <60', wingspan 118 -
<171'); V (tail height 60 - <66', wingspan 171 - <214'); VI (tail height 66 - <80',
wingspan 214 - <262')
Question 12
When would a ground stop be used to control traffic delays?
Correct Answer
As a last resort due to unknown duration and extensive disruptions; typically in the
event of a runway closure, unforecast severe weather or event such as 9/11
Question 13
What is the purpose of a runway shoulder?
Correct Answer
resist runway erosion, passage of vehicles and surface for aircraft that veer off the
runway
Question 14
When a runway threshold is not located at the start of the full-strength pavement
what is it called and why would this occur?
Correct Answer
Displaced threshold; it is used to identify the first point for landing aircraft to avoid
an airspace obstruction, to mitigate environmental considerations, or to lengthen an
RSA or OFA
Page 3 of 18
