IAA ATCO Licence Theory flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

ICAO Annex 2

Rules of the Air: defines flight rules, right-of-way, lights, signals, and interception procedures applicable to all aircraft in international operations.

Class C airspace

Requires ATC clearance for both IFR and VFR flights; ATC provides separation between IFR and VFR and traffic information between VFR flights.

Readback requirement

Pilots must read back clearances and instructions involving route, level, speed, heading, runway, altimeter setting, and frequency; failure does not relieve compliance.

SSR code 7700

Emergency squawk code indicating distress or urgency; ATC provides priority handling and alerts emergency services.

Radar separation minimum

5 NM standard, reduced to 3 NM in approved terminal areas with suitable radar and direct controller monitoring.

RVSM airspace

Reduced vertical separation minimum of 1000 ft between FL290 and FL410 for approved aircraft; non-RVSM flights require 2000 ft separation.

Wake turbulence categories

Super (A380), Heavy (>136 t), Medium (7-136 t), Light (<=7 t); determine time-based separation on departure and approach.

Position report contents

Aircraft identification, position, time, flight level, next position and ETA, and ensuing significant point.

QNH versus QFE

QNH gives altitude above mean sea level; QFE gives height above the aerodrome reference point.

Transition altitude

Altitude at/below which QNH is used; at/above the transition level standard pressure 1013.25 hPa is set.

METAR trend groups

BECMG indicates gradual change, TEMPO temporary fluctuations, NOSIG no significant change within the validity period.

SIGMET scope

Warns of severe turbulence, icing, volcanic ash, tropical cyclones, and severe squall lines affecting flight safety.

Magnetic variation

Angle between true and magnetic north; east variation is subtracted from true heading to obtain magnetic heading.

Drift angle

Difference between track and heading caused by wind; heading = track minus wind correction angle.

1 minute of latitude

Equals 1 nautical mile; 1 minute of longitude equals 1 NM times the cosine of latitude.

RNP AR approval

Required navigation performance authorization required; needs special aircraft and crew approval for closely spaced approaches.

Critical angle of attack

Angle at which airflow separates and lift decreases; stall occurs at this angle regardless of speed or weight.

Load factor in turn

n = 1/cos(bank angle) in a level turn; 60 degrees bank produces n = 2.

V1 decision speed

Speed at which the pilot must decide to continue or reject a take-off; engine failure after V1 requires continued take-off.

Aircraft approach categories

Based on Vat: A <91 kt, B 91-120, C 121-140, D 141-165, E 166-210 kt; determines circling minima.

Time of useful consciousness

At FL350 approximately 30-60 seconds; hypoxia symptoms include euphoria, impaired judgement, and cyanosis.

Somatogravic illusion

False sensation of climbing during acceleration; pilot should trust instruments and avoid sudden control inputs.

Yerkes-Dodson law

Performance peaks at moderate arousal; high stress narrows attention and increases error rate.

SHELL model

Human factors framework: Software, Hardware, Environment, and Liveware interactions; used to analyse error and safety.

VHF emergency frequency

121.5 MHz for civil distress and urgency; 243.0 MHz is the military guard frequency.

MAYDAY versus PAN-PAN

MAYDAY (three times) signals distress; PAN-PAN (three times) signals urgency without immediate danger to life.

VOR radial

Magnetic bearing from the station; CDI centered with FROM flag indicates aircraft is on the selected radial.

DME slant range

Indicated distance equals the square root of ground distance squared plus altitude squared; error is greatest at high altitude and close range.

ILS CAT I minima

Decision height 200 ft and runway visual range 550 m; CAT II is 100 ft, CAT III down to 0 ft.

Lost communication procedure

Squawk 7600, maintain last assigned level for a specified period, then follow published procedures and land at the nearest suitable aerodrome.

TCAS resolution advisory

Pilot must follow the RA immediately even if it conflicts with ATC; notify ATC after the RA is resolved.

Emergency descent

After decompression, don oxygen masks, descend to 10,000 ft or minimum safe altitude, and alert ATC.