AAAE Certified Member Program - Module 3 Exams
2025-2026
1. What does Part 139 - Inspection of Unpaved Areas mean?: Inspecting an
unpaved runways used for air carrier use.
Maintain and repair surface of gravel, turf, or other unpaved runway, taxiway, loading
ramp, or taxiway available for air carrier use.
Example: Alaska
2. Pavement and Safety Area: Pavement Requirements: Must be able to survive
adverse weather conditions.
Withstand abrasive pounding.
Withstand sudden loads that would impact pavement when an aircraft lands/takes
off.
3. Which of the following types of pavement are laid out without expansion
joints or seams?: Porous Asphalt
4. Describe Asphalt pavement.: Laid without expansion joints or seams (poured).
Less expensive than concrete to install.
Higher maintenance.
Susceptible to oxidation from the sun's ultraviolet rays. (Over time the sun lightens
it up and obscures markings.)
5. Describe concrete pavement.: Poured into distinctive slabs that require seams
or joints.
Higher cost.
Can withstand much higher aircraft loads.
Resists weathering and oil or fuel spillage.
6. Pavement Condition and Inspection:
What is inspected in the daily prevention inspection for holes and cracks?: -
3/5/45
Holes opening more than 5 Inches in diameter, exceeding 3 inches in depth, with
an inside side slope greater than 45 degrees.
Any crack that could impede/ impair the directional control of an aircraft.
7. What is inspected in the daily prevention inspection for pavement outside
of holes and cracks?: Pavement edges exceeding 3 inches (or that could impede
water runoff.)
Buildup of rubber deposits.
Report and monitor any cracks, holes, variations and vegetation.
, AAAE Certified Member Program - Module 3 Exams
2025-2026
Loose joint seal material.
8. What is the most effective means of preserving airport runways, taxiways,
and other paved areas?: Through the implementation of an Airport Pavement
Management System (APMS)
9. occurs when water has built up in the pavement base and
pressure from an aircraft load, or contracting soils causes the pavement to
suddenly blow out.: Pumping
10. What asphalt category of defects includes raveling and potholes (as well
as scaling, map cracking, crazing [hairline cracks], Alkali-Sicilia Reaction
(ASR) and Spalling [slab breakdown])?: Disintegration
11. Describe the asphalt category for defects: Cracking: Longitudinal, trans-
verse, shrinkage, shattered slab, alligator, etc.
Longitudinal cracking is more severe than transverse due to the propensi ty of an
aircraft tire to get stuck in the crack.
12. What asphalt category of defects includes ruts, depressions, and swelling
(pumping, settlement, shoving/by unstable concrete)?: Distortion
13. What asphalt category of defects includes polished aggregate, contami-
nants, fuel/oil spillage?: Loss of skid resistance.
14. How is most pavement deteriorated?: Weather , aging, and structural loads.
15. How can one decipher if a plane is too heavy for a runway?: Check ACN and
PCN:
Aircraft Classification Number (ACN) - Based on weight and wheelbase.
AND
Corresponding Pavement Classification Number - Based on testing Airport's pave-
ment.
AND
If the ACN > PCN = Aircraft cannot operate without restrictions on airport runway.
If the PCN > ACN= Aircraft can operate without restrictions on airport runway.
16. What are the two ways friction is measured on pavement?: Decelerometer
(DEC)
, AAAE Certified Member Program - Module 3 Exams
2025-2026
Assess friction properties
Continuous Friction Measuring Equipment (CFME)
Continuous graphic record
17. Prior to the development of the 2016 Runways Condition Assessment
Matrix (RCAM), how were runway conditions described?: Pilots used braking
action (reports)
and
Airport Operators used friction (Mu Readings).
18. Runway Condition Assessment Monitoring was based on what working
group?: Takeoff and Landing Performance Assessment (TALPA) working group.
19. Why did we use Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM): Believed
to be a more comprehensive and standardized method of assessing and reposting
surface conditions.
-Airport Operators use RCAM to categorize runway conditions.
-While Pilots use it to interpret reported runway conditions.
20. Inspection of Safety Areas: Requirements: Clear of debris; anything not
fixed-by-function (lights and signs fixed) and frangible is removed, and there are no
hazardous conditions.
Drained of standing water (no ponding), and the stormwater system is unclogged.
Graded flat and compacted (to support the weight from snow plow/fire truck in dry
conditions).
21. What is needed after an aircraft departs pavement and goes into Safety
Area OR after a significant weather event?: Special inspection conducted before
reopening runway/taxiway
Ensure the aircraft tires and response vehicles have not left ruts and holes in the
Safety Area.
If EMAS is installed, check the integrity of it to ensure it has not been compromised.
-If it has, issue a NOTAM (Notice to Airman) and the appropriate work order process.
Periodically, drive thru or walk the Safety Areas before the FAA Annual Inspection.
22. Video: Part 139 Inspection (37 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S104ucj_1c
WATCH and Take Notes:
, AAAE Certified Member Program - Module 3 Exams
2025-2026
23. What is one of the most important things an Airport Operator can do for a
pilot?: Visible and Accurate signs, markings and lights (SML)
24. What provides information to Air Traffic Controllers, Airfield Vehicle Oper-
ators, and to the Movement Area?: Airport signs, markings and lights (SML)
25. What do Airport signs, markings and lights (SML) identify and provide?: -
Identify the aircraft or vehicle operators' location on the airfield.
Provides direction on how to reach desired location.
26. What color are the edge lights on the last 20000 feet of a pre cision instru-
ment runway?: Yellow
27. Describe 3-2-1 lights on a precision instrument runway.: 3k (alt red/white) -
2k (yellow) - 1k (red)
3. Alternating Red and White centerline runway lights beginning last 3,000 feet.
2. Yellow runway edge lights last 2,000 feet.
1. Red centerline runway lights last 1,000 feet.
28. What color are edge lights before last 2,000 feet of runway? : White
29. What color are centerline lights up to last 3,000 feet of runw ay?: White
30. What color are touchdown lights on the runway?: White
31. What color(s) are the taxiway lead-in/lead-off lights?: Green a nd yellow
taxiway lead-in/lead-off lights.
32. What color are the runways identifier lights for the:
Close-end of approach?
2025-2026
1. What does Part 139 - Inspection of Unpaved Areas mean?: Inspecting an
unpaved runways used for air carrier use.
Maintain and repair surface of gravel, turf, or other unpaved runway, taxiway, loading
ramp, or taxiway available for air carrier use.
Example: Alaska
2. Pavement and Safety Area: Pavement Requirements: Must be able to survive
adverse weather conditions.
Withstand abrasive pounding.
Withstand sudden loads that would impact pavement when an aircraft lands/takes
off.
3. Which of the following types of pavement are laid out without expansion
joints or seams?: Porous Asphalt
4. Describe Asphalt pavement.: Laid without expansion joints or seams (poured).
Less expensive than concrete to install.
Higher maintenance.
Susceptible to oxidation from the sun's ultraviolet rays. (Over time the sun lightens
it up and obscures markings.)
5. Describe concrete pavement.: Poured into distinctive slabs that require seams
or joints.
Higher cost.
Can withstand much higher aircraft loads.
Resists weathering and oil or fuel spillage.
6. Pavement Condition and Inspection:
What is inspected in the daily prevention inspection for holes and cracks?: -
3/5/45
Holes opening more than 5 Inches in diameter, exceeding 3 inches in depth, with
an inside side slope greater than 45 degrees.
Any crack that could impede/ impair the directional control of an aircraft.
7. What is inspected in the daily prevention inspection for pavement outside
of holes and cracks?: Pavement edges exceeding 3 inches (or that could impede
water runoff.)
Buildup of rubber deposits.
Report and monitor any cracks, holes, variations and vegetation.
, AAAE Certified Member Program - Module 3 Exams
2025-2026
Loose joint seal material.
8. What is the most effective means of preserving airport runways, taxiways,
and other paved areas?: Through the implementation of an Airport Pavement
Management System (APMS)
9. occurs when water has built up in the pavement base and
pressure from an aircraft load, or contracting soils causes the pavement to
suddenly blow out.: Pumping
10. What asphalt category of defects includes raveling and potholes (as well
as scaling, map cracking, crazing [hairline cracks], Alkali-Sicilia Reaction
(ASR) and Spalling [slab breakdown])?: Disintegration
11. Describe the asphalt category for defects: Cracking: Longitudinal, trans-
verse, shrinkage, shattered slab, alligator, etc.
Longitudinal cracking is more severe than transverse due to the propensi ty of an
aircraft tire to get stuck in the crack.
12. What asphalt category of defects includes ruts, depressions, and swelling
(pumping, settlement, shoving/by unstable concrete)?: Distortion
13. What asphalt category of defects includes polished aggregate, contami-
nants, fuel/oil spillage?: Loss of skid resistance.
14. How is most pavement deteriorated?: Weather , aging, and structural loads.
15. How can one decipher if a plane is too heavy for a runway?: Check ACN and
PCN:
Aircraft Classification Number (ACN) - Based on weight and wheelbase.
AND
Corresponding Pavement Classification Number - Based on testing Airport's pave-
ment.
AND
If the ACN > PCN = Aircraft cannot operate without restrictions on airport runway.
If the PCN > ACN= Aircraft can operate without restrictions on airport runway.
16. What are the two ways friction is measured on pavement?: Decelerometer
(DEC)
, AAAE Certified Member Program - Module 3 Exams
2025-2026
Assess friction properties
Continuous Friction Measuring Equipment (CFME)
Continuous graphic record
17. Prior to the development of the 2016 Runways Condition Assessment
Matrix (RCAM), how were runway conditions described?: Pilots used braking
action (reports)
and
Airport Operators used friction (Mu Readings).
18. Runway Condition Assessment Monitoring was based on what working
group?: Takeoff and Landing Performance Assessment (TALPA) working group.
19. Why did we use Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM): Believed
to be a more comprehensive and standardized method of assessing and reposting
surface conditions.
-Airport Operators use RCAM to categorize runway conditions.
-While Pilots use it to interpret reported runway conditions.
20. Inspection of Safety Areas: Requirements: Clear of debris; anything not
fixed-by-function (lights and signs fixed) and frangible is removed, and there are no
hazardous conditions.
Drained of standing water (no ponding), and the stormwater system is unclogged.
Graded flat and compacted (to support the weight from snow plow/fire truck in dry
conditions).
21. What is needed after an aircraft departs pavement and goes into Safety
Area OR after a significant weather event?: Special inspection conducted before
reopening runway/taxiway
Ensure the aircraft tires and response vehicles have not left ruts and holes in the
Safety Area.
If EMAS is installed, check the integrity of it to ensure it has not been compromised.
-If it has, issue a NOTAM (Notice to Airman) and the appropriate work order process.
Periodically, drive thru or walk the Safety Areas before the FAA Annual Inspection.
22. Video: Part 139 Inspection (37 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S104ucj_1c
WATCH and Take Notes:
, AAAE Certified Member Program - Module 3 Exams
2025-2026
23. What is one of the most important things an Airport Operator can do for a
pilot?: Visible and Accurate signs, markings and lights (SML)
24. What provides information to Air Traffic Controllers, Airfield Vehicle Oper-
ators, and to the Movement Area?: Airport signs, markings and lights (SML)
25. What do Airport signs, markings and lights (SML) identify and provide?: -
Identify the aircraft or vehicle operators' location on the airfield.
Provides direction on how to reach desired location.
26. What color are the edge lights on the last 20000 feet of a pre cision instru-
ment runway?: Yellow
27. Describe 3-2-1 lights on a precision instrument runway.: 3k (alt red/white) -
2k (yellow) - 1k (red)
3. Alternating Red and White centerline runway lights beginning last 3,000 feet.
2. Yellow runway edge lights last 2,000 feet.
1. Red centerline runway lights last 1,000 feet.
28. What color are edge lights before last 2,000 feet of runway? : White
29. What color are centerline lights up to last 3,000 feet of runw ay?: White
30. What color are touchdown lights on the runway?: White
31. What color(s) are the taxiway lead-in/lead-off lights?: Green a nd yellow
taxiway lead-in/lead-off lights.
32. What color are the runways identifier lights for the:
Close-end of approach?
