AAAE ACE Operations Module 1 Exam - Complete
Actual Exam Questions with Verified Answers and
Detailed Rationales | Latest Test Updated
2026/2027 | Graded A+
Question 1
How many airports are in the NPIAS and what three types are included?
Answer: Approximately 3,300 airports; includes primary commercial service, non-
primary commercial service, and general aviation airports ✔✔
Rationale: The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) identifies
approximately 3,300 existing and proposed airports that are significant to national air
transportation. These are categorized into three main types: commercial service airports
(primary and non-primary), reliever airports, and general aviation airports. This
classification determines eligibility for federal funding under the Airport Improvement
Program (AIP).
Question 2
What are the three defining characteristics of commercial service airports?
Answer: 1) open to the public, 2) receive scheduled passenger service, 3) 2,500 or more
enplaned passengers per year ✔✔
Rationale: These three criteria define a commercial service airport under federal
regulations. The airport must be publicly accessible, have scheduled passenger air
service, and maintain a minimum of 2,500 annual enplanements to qualify for this
designation.
Question 3
What type of airport has commercial service and over 10,000 annual enplanements?
Answer: Primary commercial service airport ✔✔
Rationale: Primary airports are those that have more than 10,000 annual
enplanements. They are further categorized into Large, Medium, Small, and Non-Hub
based on their percentage of total U.S. enplanements.
pg. 1
,Question 4
Primary airports are split into 4 categories, what are they and how are they defined?
Answer: Large Hub (>1% of all U.S. annual enplanements); Medium Hub (0.25% to
1%); Small Hub (0.05% to 0.25%); Non-Hub (10,000 to 0.05%) ✔✔
Rationale: These classifications are based on the percentage of total annual U.S.
commercial enplanements and determine funding priorities and regulatory
requirements. The categories help the FAA allocate resources and tailor oversight to
airport size and activity levels.
Question 5
How many enplanements characterize a non-primary commercial service airport?
Answer: Between 2,500 and 10,000 annual enplanements ✔✔
Rationale: Non-primary commercial service airports have scheduled passenger service
with annual enplanements ranging from 2,500 to 10,000. These airports are not
classified as primary but still qualify for some federal assistance.
Question 6
What characterizes a reliever airport?
Answer: 1) open to the public; 2) 100 or more based aircraft or 25,000 annual
operations ✔✔
Rationale: Reliever airports are designated to relieve congestion at commercial service
airports by providing alternative facilities for general aviation. They must be open to the
public and meet minimum activity thresholds to qualify for this designation.
Question 7
General aviation airports can be in the NPIAS if:
Answer: They have at least 10 locally based aircraft and are at least 20 miles from a
NPIAS airport ✔✔
Rationale: General aviation airports that do not meet commercial service criteria can
still be included in the NPIAS if they serve a vital transportation role and are located at
pg. 2
, least 20 miles from the nearest NPIAS airport. This ensures adequate geographic
coverage for air transportation.
Question 8
What plan provides Master Plan guidelines for an airport's capital development over a
20-year timeframe?
Answer: Airport Master Plan ✔✔
Rationale: The Airport Master Plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the
long-term development strategy for an airport over a 20-year planning horizon. It
addresses facility requirements, environmental impacts, and capital improvement
programs to guide future growth.
Question 9
What is the set of drawings that shows the airport's long-term development, updated in
accordance with grant assurance number 29?
Answer: Airport Layout Plan (ALP) ✔✔
Rationale: The Airport Layout Plan is the official set of drawings depicting the existing
and future development of the airport. Under Grant Assurance 29, airports receiving
federal funding must keep the ALP current to ensure compliance with federal standards
and protect the airport's investment.
Question 10
Runway design standards are based on what three primary factors?
Answer: 1) Airplane Design Group (wingspan); 2) Aircraft Approach Category
(approach speed); 3) Approach visibility minimums ✔✔
Rationale: These three factors determine runway length, width, and associated safety
areas. The Airplane Design Group and Approach Category ensure compatibility between
the aircraft and the runway infrastructure, while visibility minimums influence
approach procedures.
Question 11
pg. 3
Actual Exam Questions with Verified Answers and
Detailed Rationales | Latest Test Updated
2026/2027 | Graded A+
Question 1
How many airports are in the NPIAS and what three types are included?
Answer: Approximately 3,300 airports; includes primary commercial service, non-
primary commercial service, and general aviation airports ✔✔
Rationale: The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) identifies
approximately 3,300 existing and proposed airports that are significant to national air
transportation. These are categorized into three main types: commercial service airports
(primary and non-primary), reliever airports, and general aviation airports. This
classification determines eligibility for federal funding under the Airport Improvement
Program (AIP).
Question 2
What are the three defining characteristics of commercial service airports?
Answer: 1) open to the public, 2) receive scheduled passenger service, 3) 2,500 or more
enplaned passengers per year ✔✔
Rationale: These three criteria define a commercial service airport under federal
regulations. The airport must be publicly accessible, have scheduled passenger air
service, and maintain a minimum of 2,500 annual enplanements to qualify for this
designation.
Question 3
What type of airport has commercial service and over 10,000 annual enplanements?
Answer: Primary commercial service airport ✔✔
Rationale: Primary airports are those that have more than 10,000 annual
enplanements. They are further categorized into Large, Medium, Small, and Non-Hub
based on their percentage of total U.S. enplanements.
pg. 1
,Question 4
Primary airports are split into 4 categories, what are they and how are they defined?
Answer: Large Hub (>1% of all U.S. annual enplanements); Medium Hub (0.25% to
1%); Small Hub (0.05% to 0.25%); Non-Hub (10,000 to 0.05%) ✔✔
Rationale: These classifications are based on the percentage of total annual U.S.
commercial enplanements and determine funding priorities and regulatory
requirements. The categories help the FAA allocate resources and tailor oversight to
airport size and activity levels.
Question 5
How many enplanements characterize a non-primary commercial service airport?
Answer: Between 2,500 and 10,000 annual enplanements ✔✔
Rationale: Non-primary commercial service airports have scheduled passenger service
with annual enplanements ranging from 2,500 to 10,000. These airports are not
classified as primary but still qualify for some federal assistance.
Question 6
What characterizes a reliever airport?
Answer: 1) open to the public; 2) 100 or more based aircraft or 25,000 annual
operations ✔✔
Rationale: Reliever airports are designated to relieve congestion at commercial service
airports by providing alternative facilities for general aviation. They must be open to the
public and meet minimum activity thresholds to qualify for this designation.
Question 7
General aviation airports can be in the NPIAS if:
Answer: They have at least 10 locally based aircraft and are at least 20 miles from a
NPIAS airport ✔✔
Rationale: General aviation airports that do not meet commercial service criteria can
still be included in the NPIAS if they serve a vital transportation role and are located at
pg. 2
, least 20 miles from the nearest NPIAS airport. This ensures adequate geographic
coverage for air transportation.
Question 8
What plan provides Master Plan guidelines for an airport's capital development over a
20-year timeframe?
Answer: Airport Master Plan ✔✔
Rationale: The Airport Master Plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the
long-term development strategy for an airport over a 20-year planning horizon. It
addresses facility requirements, environmental impacts, and capital improvement
programs to guide future growth.
Question 9
What is the set of drawings that shows the airport's long-term development, updated in
accordance with grant assurance number 29?
Answer: Airport Layout Plan (ALP) ✔✔
Rationale: The Airport Layout Plan is the official set of drawings depicting the existing
and future development of the airport. Under Grant Assurance 29, airports receiving
federal funding must keep the ALP current to ensure compliance with federal standards
and protect the airport's investment.
Question 10
Runway design standards are based on what three primary factors?
Answer: 1) Airplane Design Group (wingspan); 2) Aircraft Approach Category
(approach speed); 3) Approach visibility minimums ✔✔
Rationale: These three factors determine runway length, width, and associated safety
areas. The Airplane Design Group and Approach Category ensure compatibility between
the aircraft and the runway infrastructure, while visibility minimums influence
approach procedures.
Question 11
pg. 3
