Flight Dispatcher Skills Test – Questions
and Answers
117. What is "DH"? - ANSWER-Decision Height (DH) is the altitude above the ground
(runway/touchdown zone) when the aircraft is at the DA. For example, an airport has a
touchdown zone elevation (TDZE) of 500 feet MSL. An approach to this runway has a
DH of 200 feet. Therefore the DA would be 700 feet (500+200). In this case, the flight
crew would decide to land/go missed when their altimeter read 700 feet. At that time
they would be 200 feet above TDZE.
55. What is a "front"? - ANSWER-A front is a division line between air masses with
different attributes. Cold fronts occur when cold air is pushing against warmer air. Warm
fronts occur when warm air is pushing against cooler air.
A flight dispatcher will not release a flight unless he is familiar and certain the
anticipated loading of the aircraft and the proposed operation will not exceed the- -
ANSWER-1. Centre of gravity limits
2. Aircraft operating limitations
3. Minimum performance requirements
Can a dispatcher declare an emergency and when would that occur? - ANSWER-Yes.
Dispatchers can declare an emergency anytime a flight is in imminent danger or is
overdue.
Can a dispatcher declare an emergency? - ANSWER-Yes. The dispatcher should notify
the PIC as soon as possible. If the dispatcher cannot communicate with the PIC, they
must do whatever is necessary and outlined in the Operations manual to deal with the
emergency
Can a dispatcher delegate their authority? - ANSWER-Yes. May delegate the authority
to sign release, but not to dispatch
Can an aircraft be dispatched at a weight that will cause it to be above a maximum
landing weight? - ANSWER-NO
Can an aircraft operate in controlled airspace under IFR without filing an IFR flight plan?
- ANSWER-NO
Communications procedures and requirements? - ANSWER-There should be two way
communication, or another means of communication must exist between the aircraft
and dispatch/flight control throughout the duration of the flight.
Decode the following METAR:
,KDFW 291453Z 35004KT 10SM SCT110 19/12 A3003 RMK AO1 SLP118 VIRGA
DSNT S-SW MOV N - ANSWER-METAR for Dallas Ft. Worth
Observation made at 29th at 1453 zulu. Winds from 350 degrees at 4 knots and visibility
at 10 sm. Scattered clouds at 11,000 feet with a temperature of 19°C and dew point of
12° C. Altimeter setting of 30.03"Hg
Remarks: no precipitation discriminator, sea level pressure was 1011.8 mb and there
was virga beyond 10 sm in the sky to the south clockwise southwest moving north.
Define the following terms: - ANSWER-V1 - critical engine speed, or decision speed.
Engine failure below this speed results in an aborted takeoff, above it, the takeoff
continues
VR - rotation speed. The speed at which the aircrafts assume the takeoff attitude.
V2 - takeoff safety speed. Simply, the best one-engine operative angle of climb speed to
clear takeoff obstacles.
VMCG - minimum control speed on the ground with one engine inoperative and takeoff
power on the other.
Describe a high-pressure system - ANSWER-Highs are areas of increased pressure
and have clockwise wind that flows outward and downward in the northern hemisphere
(opposite in the southern hemisphere). These are commonly associated with good
weather.
Describe a low-pressure system? - ANSWER-Lows are areas of reduced pressure and
have counterclockwise wind that flows inwards and upwards in the northern hemisphere
(opposite in the southern hemisphere). These are commonly associated with poor
weather.
Describe a warm front and the associated weather? - ANSWER-Warm front occurs
when warm air is pushing against cooler air.
Describe how fuel is normally distributed to the engines. - ANSWER-Fuel is normally
fed from the center tank first, then from the wing tanks.
Describe the Low Level Significant Prognostic Chart? - ANSWER-a. Low-Level
Significant Prog chart: forecasts weather conditions from the the surface to the 400
millibar level (about 24,000 feet). The upper two panels of the Low-Level significant wx
prognostic chart are the 12-hour and the 24-hour significant wx prog charts. These two
charts forecasts areas of MVFR and IFR wx as well as areas of moderate or greater
turbulence.
The lower two panels are the 12-hour and the 24-hour surface prog charts. These
forecast frontal positions and areas of precipitation.
, Develop an abnormal /emergency procedure scenario and present it to the applicant? -
ANSWER-a) Mechanical emergency (engine failure or fire).
b) Aircraft is unable to determine its position(Navigation system failure)
c) Aircraft is overdue by more than 30 minutes and location or status of aircraft is
unknown
d) Aircraft reports a distress condition.
e) Insufficient fuel remains to reach the destination or other suitable alternate
f) Aircraft is deviating from its planned route and / or altitude without explanation.
g) Known or suspected hijack.
h) Any other threat to flight operations applicable to the aircraft.
Do aircraft have a maximum crosswind landing limitation? - ANSWER-No. The
crosswind figure is only a demonstrated landing value, based upon test flights.
Each operator shall ensure that each takeoff alternate specified shall be located within
(for two engine aircraft) - - ANSWER-one hour flight time at single-engine cruise speed
unless the aircraft and crew are authorised for EDTO;
Ground Recurrent Training for Dispatchers shall include at least which subject areas: -
ANSWER-(1) Aircraft-specific flight preparation;
(2) Dispatch resource management (human performance); and
(3) Recognition or transportation of dangerous goods.
Have the applicant describe BOW (Basic Operating Weight) and ZFW (Zero Fuel
Weight)? - ANSWER-a) Basic Operating Weight is the basic weight of an aircraft
including the crew, all fluids necessary for operation such as engine oil, engine coolant,
water, unusable fuel and all operator items and equipment required for flight but
excluding usable fuel and the payload.
b) Zero fuel weight can be defined as the empty weight of the airplane, plus the weight
of the unusable fuel, plus the maximum allowable payload (passengers, cargo, and
crew). Any weight added to the airplane past the zero fuel weight must be in the form of
fuel.
Have the applicant describe certain features of the high altitude enroute chart? -
ANSWER-High altitude en-route chart provides detailed information useful for
and Answers
117. What is "DH"? - ANSWER-Decision Height (DH) is the altitude above the ground
(runway/touchdown zone) when the aircraft is at the DA. For example, an airport has a
touchdown zone elevation (TDZE) of 500 feet MSL. An approach to this runway has a
DH of 200 feet. Therefore the DA would be 700 feet (500+200). In this case, the flight
crew would decide to land/go missed when their altimeter read 700 feet. At that time
they would be 200 feet above TDZE.
55. What is a "front"? - ANSWER-A front is a division line between air masses with
different attributes. Cold fronts occur when cold air is pushing against warmer air. Warm
fronts occur when warm air is pushing against cooler air.
A flight dispatcher will not release a flight unless he is familiar and certain the
anticipated loading of the aircraft and the proposed operation will not exceed the- -
ANSWER-1. Centre of gravity limits
2. Aircraft operating limitations
3. Minimum performance requirements
Can a dispatcher declare an emergency and when would that occur? - ANSWER-Yes.
Dispatchers can declare an emergency anytime a flight is in imminent danger or is
overdue.
Can a dispatcher declare an emergency? - ANSWER-Yes. The dispatcher should notify
the PIC as soon as possible. If the dispatcher cannot communicate with the PIC, they
must do whatever is necessary and outlined in the Operations manual to deal with the
emergency
Can a dispatcher delegate their authority? - ANSWER-Yes. May delegate the authority
to sign release, but not to dispatch
Can an aircraft be dispatched at a weight that will cause it to be above a maximum
landing weight? - ANSWER-NO
Can an aircraft operate in controlled airspace under IFR without filing an IFR flight plan?
- ANSWER-NO
Communications procedures and requirements? - ANSWER-There should be two way
communication, or another means of communication must exist between the aircraft
and dispatch/flight control throughout the duration of the flight.
Decode the following METAR:
,KDFW 291453Z 35004KT 10SM SCT110 19/12 A3003 RMK AO1 SLP118 VIRGA
DSNT S-SW MOV N - ANSWER-METAR for Dallas Ft. Worth
Observation made at 29th at 1453 zulu. Winds from 350 degrees at 4 knots and visibility
at 10 sm. Scattered clouds at 11,000 feet with a temperature of 19°C and dew point of
12° C. Altimeter setting of 30.03"Hg
Remarks: no precipitation discriminator, sea level pressure was 1011.8 mb and there
was virga beyond 10 sm in the sky to the south clockwise southwest moving north.
Define the following terms: - ANSWER-V1 - critical engine speed, or decision speed.
Engine failure below this speed results in an aborted takeoff, above it, the takeoff
continues
VR - rotation speed. The speed at which the aircrafts assume the takeoff attitude.
V2 - takeoff safety speed. Simply, the best one-engine operative angle of climb speed to
clear takeoff obstacles.
VMCG - minimum control speed on the ground with one engine inoperative and takeoff
power on the other.
Describe a high-pressure system - ANSWER-Highs are areas of increased pressure
and have clockwise wind that flows outward and downward in the northern hemisphere
(opposite in the southern hemisphere). These are commonly associated with good
weather.
Describe a low-pressure system? - ANSWER-Lows are areas of reduced pressure and
have counterclockwise wind that flows inwards and upwards in the northern hemisphere
(opposite in the southern hemisphere). These are commonly associated with poor
weather.
Describe a warm front and the associated weather? - ANSWER-Warm front occurs
when warm air is pushing against cooler air.
Describe how fuel is normally distributed to the engines. - ANSWER-Fuel is normally
fed from the center tank first, then from the wing tanks.
Describe the Low Level Significant Prognostic Chart? - ANSWER-a. Low-Level
Significant Prog chart: forecasts weather conditions from the the surface to the 400
millibar level (about 24,000 feet). The upper two panels of the Low-Level significant wx
prognostic chart are the 12-hour and the 24-hour significant wx prog charts. These two
charts forecasts areas of MVFR and IFR wx as well as areas of moderate or greater
turbulence.
The lower two panels are the 12-hour and the 24-hour surface prog charts. These
forecast frontal positions and areas of precipitation.
, Develop an abnormal /emergency procedure scenario and present it to the applicant? -
ANSWER-a) Mechanical emergency (engine failure or fire).
b) Aircraft is unable to determine its position(Navigation system failure)
c) Aircraft is overdue by more than 30 minutes and location or status of aircraft is
unknown
d) Aircraft reports a distress condition.
e) Insufficient fuel remains to reach the destination or other suitable alternate
f) Aircraft is deviating from its planned route and / or altitude without explanation.
g) Known or suspected hijack.
h) Any other threat to flight operations applicable to the aircraft.
Do aircraft have a maximum crosswind landing limitation? - ANSWER-No. The
crosswind figure is only a demonstrated landing value, based upon test flights.
Each operator shall ensure that each takeoff alternate specified shall be located within
(for two engine aircraft) - - ANSWER-one hour flight time at single-engine cruise speed
unless the aircraft and crew are authorised for EDTO;
Ground Recurrent Training for Dispatchers shall include at least which subject areas: -
ANSWER-(1) Aircraft-specific flight preparation;
(2) Dispatch resource management (human performance); and
(3) Recognition or transportation of dangerous goods.
Have the applicant describe BOW (Basic Operating Weight) and ZFW (Zero Fuel
Weight)? - ANSWER-a) Basic Operating Weight is the basic weight of an aircraft
including the crew, all fluids necessary for operation such as engine oil, engine coolant,
water, unusable fuel and all operator items and equipment required for flight but
excluding usable fuel and the payload.
b) Zero fuel weight can be defined as the empty weight of the airplane, plus the weight
of the unusable fuel, plus the maximum allowable payload (passengers, cargo, and
crew). Any weight added to the airplane past the zero fuel weight must be in the form of
fuel.
Have the applicant describe certain features of the high altitude enroute chart? -
ANSWER-High altitude en-route chart provides detailed information useful for
