ATC & Clearances

5 free sample questions of the 55 in this topic. The full set is in the app.

1. Question 1

   If you experience two-way radio communications failure while in VFR conditions on an IFR clearance, you must:

   • A.Squawk 7700 and continue on the IFR clearance to your destination
   • B.Continue the flight under VFR and land as soon as practicable
   • C.Climb to the highest published MEA on the route and continue
   • D.Descend to 1,200 ft AGL and proceed direct
   Show answer & explanation

   Answer: B. Continue the flight under VFR and land as soon as practicable

   §91.185(b) requires the pilot to continue the flight under VFR and land as soon as practicable if the failure occurs in VFR conditions, or if VFR conditions are encountered after the failure. 'As soon as practicable' is not the same as 'as soon as possible' — the pilot retains judgment on suitability of airports.

   Source: 14 CFR Part 91 — General Operating and Flight Rules — §91.185(b)

2. Question 2

   Under IFR with lost two-way radio communications and the previous ATC clearance was 'cleared via flight plan,' which ROUTE should the pilot fly?

   • A.Direct to destination via GPS regardless of clearance
   • B.The route assigned by ATC in the last clearance received (or, if radar-vectored, direct to the fix/route/airway specified in the radar vector clearance; otherwise the route ATC said to expect; otherwise the route filed)
   • C.Always proceed to the nearest VOR and hold
   • D.Always begin the missed approach procedure
   Show answer & explanation

   Answer: B. The route assigned by ATC in the last clearance received (or, if radar-vectored, direct to the fix/route/airway specified in the radar vector clearance; otherwise the route ATC said to expect; otherwise the route filed)

   §91.185(c)(1) prioritizes the route in order: (i) last ATC clearance, (ii) if radar-vectored — direct from point of failure to the vector clearance fix/route/airway, (iii) what ATC advised to expect, (iv) filed flight plan. Pilots memorize this as 'AVE-F': Assigned, Vectors, Expected, Filed.

   Source: 14 CFR Part 91 — General Operating and Flight Rules — §91.185(c)(1)

3. Question 3

   Under IFR with lost two-way radio communications, the altitude flown for each route segment must be the HIGHEST of which three altitudes?

   • A.Filed altitude, MEA, and ATC's last-cleared altitude
   • B.Last ATC-assigned altitude, the minimum altitude for IFR operations on that segment, and the altitude ATC advised to expect
   • C.Altitude that gives best fuel burn, MEA, and ATC-cleared altitude
   • D.Highest of MEA, MORA, and MOCA only
   Show answer & explanation

   Answer: B. Last ATC-assigned altitude, the minimum altitude for IFR operations on that segment, and the altitude ATC advised to expect

   §91.185(c)(2) requires the highest of: (i) last ATC-assigned altitude, (ii) minimum altitude for IFR operations on the route segment, and (iii) the altitude or FL ATC advised to expect. Pilots remember this as 'MEA: Minimum, Expected, Assigned.'

   Source: 14 CFR Part 91 — General Operating and Flight Rules — §91.185(c)(2)

4. Question 4

   After radio failure and continuing IFR, when the clearance limit is a fix from which an approach begins, the pilot should commence descent and approach:

   • A.Immediately upon arrival at the fix regardless of EFC time
   • B.As close as possible to the Expect-Further-Clearance (EFC) time if one was received, or otherwise as close as possible to the ETA calculated from the filed (or amended) ETE
   • C.Only after holding for one hour
   • D.Only when fuel reaches 30 minutes
   Show answer & explanation

   Answer: B. As close as possible to the Expect-Further-Clearance (EFC) time if one was received, or otherwise as close as possible to the ETA calculated from the filed (or amended) ETE

   §91.185(c)(3)(i) directs the pilot to commence descent/approach as close as possible to the EFC time if received, or otherwise as close as possible to the ETA derived from the filed (or last amended) ETE.

   Source: 14 CFR Part 91 — General Operating and Flight Rules — §91.185(c)(3)(i)

5. Question 5

   Which transponder code indicates a two-way radio communications failure?

   • A.7500
   • B.7600
   • C.7700
   • D.1200
   Show answer & explanation

   Answer: B. 7600

   Per the IPH and AIM, squawk 7600 indicates two-way radio communications failure. 7500 indicates hijack/unlawful interference; 7700 is general emergency; 1200 is the VFR conspicuity code.

   Source: FAA Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B, 2017) — Ch 2, Communication Failure (p. 2-46 to 2-47)

50 more ATC & Clearances questions are in the app, along with explanations and flashcards for every one.

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