AVweb Quiz #170: Hands Off My Airspace!

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April 2, 2012

Interactive Quiz #170:
Hands Off My Airspace!

The instant an aircraft levitates, it's operating within some form of regulated airspace. So, while the FAA continues to seek funding for its Airspace Museum in Washington, D.C., test your grasp of this elusive administrative ether. (OK, there is no such place as the Airspace Museum. Would that be dull or what? It's recommended, instead, that you visit the Air & Space Museum the next time you're in D.C.)

INSTRUCTIONS: Answer the questions as best you can, then click on the "Score my quiz answers" button to see your score and read the explanations. If you don't like your score the first time around, you can change some of your answers and resubmit. To get the most out of this quiz, we suggest you keep trying until you get a perfect score.

NOTE: When more than one answer is true, only the most complete, correct answer will be scored as correct. The answers are assumed to apply within the United States unless otherwise noted.

1. Fill in the missing blanks from the FAA's Pilot Controller (P/C) Glossary definition: "Within (_____ _____), air traffic control service is provided to IFR flights and to VFR flights in accordance with the airspace classification. (Big hint available in question #2.)
a. Positive airspace
b. Controlled airspace
c. Controller airspace
d. ATC's airspace

2. The term "uncontrolled airspace" is tossed around pilot lounges like an out-of-date AIM. Strangely, the phrase does not appear in the AIM, but the ATC manual (7110.65) defines uncontrolled airspace as that chunk of sky "within which ATC has neither the authority nor responsibility for exercising control over air traffic." Uncontrolled airspace is also known in the U.S. as:
a. TRSA
b. Class F airspace
c. Classless airspace
d. Class G airspace

3. Class C airspace is often found around semi-big city airports such as Monterey, Calif. or Des Moines, Iowa. While these ATC facilities might suffer from Class B envy, pilots must respect the Class C airspace's somewhat limited dimensions. Show some respect by filling in the blanks from this Class C definition: "... [Class C] airspace usually consists of a surface area with a 5-NM radius, an outer circle with a 10-NM radius that extends from 1200 feet to 4000 feet above the (_____ _____)."
a. Ground elevation
b. Ground level
c. Airport elevation
d. Sea level

4. Stick with the Class C airspace theme. Extending another 10 miles beyond the Class C's outer circle to 20 miles from the Class C core is the (_____ _____). (Dimensions may vary slightly in some places.)
a. Outer area
b. Outer limits
c. Radar shelf
d. Transition area

5. Building upon your correct answer from the previous question, VFR pilot participation is (_____) within that airspace from 10 NM to 20 NM around the Class C core.
a. Voluntary
b. Mandatory

6. Other than visual separation, what radar separation does the approach controller apply within Class C airspace between an IFR radar target and a participating VFR radar target? (Assume no wake-turbulence issues.)
a. 500 feet vertical or target resolution (radar targets don't touch)
b. 1000 feet vertical or target resolution (radar targets don't touch)
c. 500 feet vertical or 3 miles between targets
d. 1000 feet vertical or 3 miles between targets

7. Refer back to your correct answer from question #4. The airspace extending 10 miles beyond the Class C's outer circle to 20 miles from the Class C core is charted on:
a. Sectional and WAC charts
b. Sectional charts only
c. WAC charts only
d. None of the above

8. Imagine you're inbound VFR to an airport encased inside Class D airspace. You call the tower outside the airspace: "Salinas Tower, Pacer 1652N, ten southeast, Victor." (Victor is the current ATIS code and not some buddy in the tower who always extends priority handling.) The tower controller (not Vic) replies with: "Pacer 1652N, Salinas Tower, stand by." You have established two-way communications with ATC and are permitted to enter the Class D airspace.
a. True
b. False

9. Hey, you know that RV-8 (piston single) that you've been boasting to friends goes faster than stink? Well, imagine you're headed into an airport with an operating control tower (Class D airspace). You're running late and descending below 2,500 feet AGL. Within 4 NM of the airport, what is the maximum permissible airspeed, unless otherwise authorized by ATC?
a. 200 KIAS
b. 230 KIAS
c. 200 MPH CAS
d. 230 MPH TAS

10. In general, what is the maximum allowable speed under FAR 91.117 for operations below 10,000 feet MSL? (Assume no waivers, no emergencies and non-military.)
a. 200 KIAS
b. 230 MPH TAS
c. 250 KIAS
d. 288 KCAS

If you enjoyed taking this interactive quiz and would like to see more like it, go to the AVweb Brainteaser page. And if you thought it was unfair, confusing, or a waste of time, we'd like you to tell us that, too. And if you have an idea for a subject that you think would make a good future Brainteaser quiz, be sure to let us know.

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Interactive Quiz #170:Hands Off My Airspace!

Interactive Quiz #170:
Hands Off My Airspace!