10 exam-style questions with answers and explanations, straight from our 1,030-question bank. Tap an answer to check yourself. When you're ready, take the scored version in the free practice test.
These 10 free CTO questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Air Traffic Control Tower Operator blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.
Just outside a Class D surface area, a VFR pilot calls the operating tower. The controller responds, "Cessna Three Four Five Six Romeo, standby." Weather meets basic VFR requirements, and no instruction to remain outside or other entry restriction has been issued. How does this response affect entry into the Class D airspace?
Correct answer: B - Two-way communication is established, so the pilot may enter while awaiting further instructions.
At a 9,000-foot runway, a departing single-engine propeller airplane is airborne 6,400 feet beyond the departure threshold but has not passed the runway end. A twin-engine jet is ready for departure from the same threshold. Their maximum certificated takeoff weights are 2,400 and 10,000 pounds, respectively. The controller can determine their separation using suitable landmarks. Which assessment of same-runway separation is correct?
Correct answer: C - Separation is established: the jet is Category III, and the airborne leader is more than 6,000 feet ahead.
A controller holds a CTO certificate and a current required medical certificate. At a new tower, the controller has just passed the ground-control operating-position test and the qualification is recorded, but has not earned that tower's facility rating. A controller holding the facility rating is available to supervise. Under Part 65, the position-qualified controller may:
Correct answer: A - Work ground control under the supervision of the facility-rated controller.
A wake-category B aircraft starts its takeoff roll at 1416:00 UTC and becomes airborne at 1416:45. A wake-category I aircraft has taxied from the ramp to an intersection 1,800 feet beyond the leader's departure point on the same runway for a same-direction departure. When applying time-based wake separation, the earliest the following aircraft may begin its takeoff roll is:
Correct answer: D - 1419:45 UTC.
To avoid weather, a radar-identified aircraft needs to pass briefly through an adjacent sector. The original controller intends to retain radio communications. No prearranged coordination procedure covers the transit. Identify the coordination that transfers radar identification and obtains the adjacent controller's approval without transferring communications.
Correct answer: D - Complete an approved point-out before the aircraft enters the adjacent controller's airspace.
Ground transmits, "Cessna Four Six Two Kilo Tango, Runway Two Seven, taxi via Alpha, hold short of Runway One Eight." The pilot replies, "Runway Two Seven via Alpha, Cessna Four Six Two Kilo Tango." The aircraft has not started moving. What must the controller obtain before treating the runway hold-short instruction as acknowledged?
Correct answer: D - A readback of "hold short of Runway One Eight" with the aircraft identification.
An IFR arrival reports, "Minimum fuel," and says it can complete the currently cleared arrival. The controller then learns that this aircraft will face an additional ten-minute delay. The next communication to the pilot should:
Correct answer: B - Advise the pilot promptly of the additional ten-minute delay and obtain the pilot's intentions.
A pilot is checking whether a departure crossing restriction is achievable. At the start of a 6 NM climb segment, the aircraft will be at 1,200 feet MSL; it must cross the next fix at or above 3,600 feet MSL. Planned indicated airspeed is 120 knots, groundspeed is 150 knots, and available climb rate is 900 feet per minute, all constant over the segment. Which climb requirement should the pilot use to accept or reject the planned departure?
Correct answer: C - The required climb rate is 1,000 feet per minute; the planned climb is insufficient.
An airport weather observation contains: 19008KT 2SM BR FEW004 BKN018 OVC040 12/11 A3002. Select the ceiling and overall ceiling/visibility flight category represented by this report.
Correct answer: A - Ceiling 1,800 feet AGL; IFR because of visibility.
A turboprop pilot estimates ice accumulation at one-half inch per hour on an unprotected part of the outer wing. The pilot also reports that correctly operating deicing equipment cannot remove the accumulation and that ice is spreading aft of protected surfaces. When assessing this report, which interpretation takes precedence over the estimated hourly rate?
Correct answer: C - The encounter is severe icing because accumulation exceeds the aircraft's ice-protection capability.
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