FRTOL (Question Bank With the Answers)
1. Expand FIR. How many FIR’s are there in INDIA.
A. FIR: Flight Information Regions.
Indian airspace has been divided into 5 FIR’s:
VABB -Mumbai FIR
VECC -Kolkata FIR
VIDP -Delhi FIR
VOMM -Chennai FIR and
VEGT -Guwahati FIR
2. Expand ATS route. How many Airspaces has India accepted?
A. ATS: Air Traffic Service Route.
India has accepted “D”, “E”, “F” and “G” airspaces.
3. How are ATS routes designated in India for both Domestic and International routes?
A. Domestic Route Designator : “W”
International Route Designator : “Red”, “Blue”, “Amber”, and “Green”.
4. What does the series of green flashes shown to an aircraft on the ground mean?
A. Cleared to TAXI.
5. What does the series of red flashes shown to an aircraft in flight mean?
A. Aerodrome unsafe, do not land.
6. Mention any one of the primary objectives of the AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES.
A. Prevent Collisions between aircraft.
(or)
Prevent Collisions between a/c on the maneuvering area & obstruction on that area.
(or)
Expedite & maintain an orderly flow of air traffic.
(or)
Provide advice & information useful for the safe & efficient conduct of flights.
(or)
Notify appropriate organizations regarding aircraft in need of search & rescue aid &
assist such organizations as required.
7. DME operates in ____________ to __________ range. Expand DME, and in which band
does DME work?
A. DME – Distance Measuring Equipment.
Operating Range – 960 to 1215 MHz UHF.
Operates in UHF range(band).
8. Expand ELT. When activated, an ELT transmits on which frequencies. Mention any three
frequencies?
A. The ELT gets activated if (or) when subjected to force 5 g’s or more and it transmits
signals for at least 48 hours (121.5 MHz), 243 MHz or 406 MHz – TX for 5 secs and
silent for 55 secs. ELT stands for Emergency Locator Transmitter
9. Put them in proper sequence.
(a) VLF (b) UHF (c) LF (d) VHF (e) EHF (f) MF
(g) SHF (h) HF
A. In sequence: -
(a) VLF (b) LF (c) MF (d) HF (e) VHF (f) UHF (g) SHF (h) EHF
10. Define terms: -
a) CYCLE
b) FREQUENCY
c) MODULATION
A. a) CYCLE - A cycle is defined one complete series of values of any alternating
quantity.
b) FREQUENCY - It’s defined as no. of cycles per second. It’s expressed in Hertz.
c) MODULATION - The process in which radio waves are superimposed on the audio
waves so as to travel longer distance.
11. What is the operating range of the VOR?
A. Operating range of VOR: VHF band from 108 MHz to 117.95 MHz. 108.0 – 11.975
MHz – all even decimals & 112.0 – 117.975 MHz – all frequencies.
12. Define AIR TRAFFIC & AERODROME TRAFFIC?
A. AIR TRAFFIC – All a/c’s in flight or operating on the maneuvering area of an
aerodrome.
AERODROME TRAFFIC – All traffic on the maneuvering area of an aerodrome and all
a/c’s operating in the vicinity of an aerodrome.
13. What is ISA condition?
A. ISA : International Standard Atmosphere : Conditions at MSL.
Temp. : +- 15 0 C (MSL)
Lapse rate – 1.98 0 C per 1000 ft (drop in temperature 0 C with height)
Atm. Pressure – 29.92 inch of Hg or 1013.25 hPA
Air density – 1226 gms/m3
14. How do you acknowledge to the tower for his light signals while in the air during day
time?
A. Rock your a/c wings.
15. What is the TRANSPONDER CODE used for hijack of an a/c?
A. SQUAWK 7500 – Hijack
16. What is the TRANSPONDER CODE used for communication failure?
A. SQUAWK 7600 – Communication failure
17. What is the TRANSPONDER CODE used for an a/c in emergency?
A. SQUAWK 7700 – Emergency
18. What does the term WILCO mean?
A. WILCO - Will Comply
19. How do you pronounce the letter ‘Z’ and number 9 in aviation phonetics?
A. “Z” - Zulu ; “9” - Niner
20. Abbreviate : - VFR, IFR, IMC, SVFR, AMSL, BMSL, PAPI, VASI, UTC, IST,
NOTAM, RVR, NO SIG, ATIS, ICAO, CDI, ADE, BFO.
A. VFR - Visual Flight Rules
IFR - Instrument Flight Rules
VMC - Visual Meteorological Conditions
IMC - Instrument Meteorological Conditions
SVFR - Special Visual Flight Rules
AMSL - Above Mean Sea Level
BMSL - Below Mean Sea Level
PAPI - Precision Approach Path Indicator
VASI - Visual Approach Slope Indicator
UTC - Co-ordinated Universal time
IST - Indian Standard time
NOTAM – Notices To Airmen
RVR - Runway Visual Range
NO SIG – No Significant Weather Reported
ATIS - Automatic Terminal Information Service
ICAO - International Civil Aviation Organisation
CDI - Course Deviation Indicator
ADF - Automatic Direction Finder
BFO - Beat Frequency Oscillator
21. How do you begin distress and urgency calls with?
A. Distress : MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY
Urgency : PAN-PAN PAN-PAN PAN-PAN
22. Whom do you contact when you are on APRON or Taxiway? What if the appropriate
authority is not available?
A. Grd (or) SMC (Surface Movement Control) : Call tower if Grd not available
23. Who gives the ATC clearance generally?
A. Tower (ATC)
24. What is the LOCATION INDICATOR for : HYDERABAD, SHAMSHABAD, DELHI,
MUMBAI and CHENNAI?
A. HYDERABAD : VOHY
SHAMSHABAD : VOHS
DELHI : VIDP
MUMBAI : VABB
CHENNAI : VOMM
25. Which class of airspace has India accepted for its ATS routes?
A. Class F
26. Define Ohm’s law?
A. Ohm’s law : The current in electric circuit is directly proportional to voltage and
inversely proportional to the resistance at constant temperature.
I = V/R
V = IR
27. How do address the station when calling on HF?
A. Station name “RADIO”
28. Which of the two is ground equipment : NDB (or) ADF?
A. NDB
29. What is the purpose of FRTOL(R)?
A. The purpose of FRTOL(R) is to ensure that a trainee pilot is capable of handling the
Radio Telephony Equipment on board the aircraft. For effective use of the equipment and
in view of the operational requirement to fly the aircraft all alone, a pilot is tested for
having adequate knowledge of the following subjects for the issue of FRTOL(R):
1 Air Regulations
1 Air Navigations Procedures
1 Radio Aids & Avionics (Eqpt, frequencies & Procedures)
1 RT procedures and phraseology
1 Emergency Handling procedures
30. What is an aeronautical mobile station?
A. A land station in the aeronautical mobile service, sometimes on board, a ship or platform
at sea.
31. What do you mean by the “a/c in vicinity of an aerodrome”?
A. Aircraft while entering or leaving an aerdrome traffic circuit.
32. Explain term altitude?
A. The vertical distance of a level or a point or an object considered as a point measured
from mean sea level. Altitude is always above the mean sea level and is reported by the
aircraft in thousands and hundreds of feet.
33. What is ATIS?
A. Automatic Terminal Information Service provides information to the aircraft arriving or
departing on current, routine, weather, airfield, etc. automatically continuous for 24
hours. There can be different ATIS for arriving and departing aircraft.
34. What is Blind Transmission?
A. A transmission from one station to another station when two way communications cannot
be established and where the called station is believed to be able to receive the
transmission.
35. Expand the following abbreviations:
a) ACC b) ATIS c) CAVOK d) RVR e) SID
A. a) ACC – Area Control Centre
b) ATIS – Automatic Terminal Information Service
c) CAVOK – Clouds and Visibility and present weather better than prescribed values or
conditions OR VISIBILITY MORE THAN 10 KM.
d) RVR – Runway Visual Range
e) SID – Standard Instrument Departure
36. Transmit the following;
a) Heading 060 degrees
b) Transponder code 6076
c) Altimeter Setting 1012
d) Altitude 4500
e) Runway Visual Range 1700
A. a) Heading 060 degrees – Heading zero six zero
b) Transponder code 6076 – SQUAWK six zero seven six
c) Altimeter Setting 1012 – QNH one zero one two
d) Altitude 4500’– four five zero zero feet
e) Runway Visual Range 1700 – RVR one thousand seven hundred meters
37. What is Distress Signal?
A. Distress signal is the signal or RT transmission by the PIC or his representative under his
instructions when the safety of the aircraft or its passengers is endangered and the aircraft
requires immediate assistance. The phrase used is “MAYDAY”. This transmission takes
top-most priority. On hearing such signal all other aircraft should maintain RT silence.
38. What is Urgency Signal?
A. Urgency signal is the signal or RT transmission generated by the PIC or his
representative when the safety of the passengers or a/c is jeopardized and the a/c doesn’t
require immediate assistance. The phrase used is “PAN-PAN”. This transmission takes
next priority to a Distress Signal.
39. What is the full form of AIP, does it contain the information about aerodromes and
enroute. True/False/
A. AIP – Aeronautical Information Publication. Yes, it contains the information about
aerodromes and enroute. (TRUE)
40. Who Publishes AIP, AIC, Aeradio?
A. AIC – Published by DGCA
AIP – Published by AAI (publication division)
AERADIO – Published by AAI
41. Frequency of NDB, VOR?
A. NDB – 190 KHz to 1750 KHz.
VOR – 108.0 – 111.975 (All even decimals) & 112.0 – 117.975 MHz (All Frequencies)
42. Is ATIS broadcast continuous or not?
A. Yes, it’s updated from time to time.
43. Readability scale for R/T check? E.g. 5,4,….
A. 1. Unreadable 2. Readable with difficulty 3. Readable now and then 4. Readable
5. Most Readable.
44. What is SELCAL?
A. SLECAL is a communication system fitted in the aircraft as a transponder to the signal
sent by the ground station on secondary radar principle. Each aircraft is allocated a four
digit code. When the ground station wants the particular aircraft to respond, the signals
are generated by the controller and are received by the
aircraft system within 2 seconds of the transmission. Then the aircraft indicates
audio/video signal to enable the pilot to switch on the VHF on that frequency and calls up
the station “station calling ---- (a/c c/s) Go ahead” and the communications continues.
The system is meant to prevent monotonous process of maintaining continuous
listening watch by the pilot in command/crew.
45. What is the range of frequency of VLF, HF, and VHF?
A. VLF – 3 to 30 KHz
HF – 3 to 30 MHz
VHF – 30 to 300 MHz
46. What is UTC & IST?
A. UTC is coordinated universal time used on all flights and ground stations internationally.
IST is Indian standard time which is the local time at 82˚ 30’ E longitude, passing
through Allahabad as standard time for India which is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of UTC.
47. VOR can measure the magnetic bearings to/from ground station. True/False ?
A. True. It can measure.
48. The distance between the transmitter and the point on the surface of the ground where the
first sky wave is received is called __________ (Dead Space/Skip Distance)
A. Skip Distance
49. The frequency band in which there is minimum static interference for communications is
__________ (VHF/MF/HF)?
A. VHF
50. For long range communications on enroute the frequencies band used is ___________ .
A. HF
51. What is the abbreviated call sign if the full call is VT-EMQ?
A. Victor Mike Quebec
52. How many NOTAM offices are there in India?
A. There are four NOTAM offices in India. They are Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi & Madras.
For Guwahati FIR the NOTAMS are generated by the Calcutta office.
53. Define Aerodrome.
A. Any area of land or water designed, equipped, set apart or commonly used for affording
facilities for the landing and departure of aircrafts.
54. Define Advisory Area.
A. A designated area where air traffic advisory service is available.
55. Define Control Zone.
A. A controlled airspace extending upward from the surface of the earth to a specified upper
limit within which ATC services are available.
56. Define Control Area.
A. A controlled airspace extending upwards from a specified limit above the surface of the
earth witin which all facets of Air traffic control services are available.
57. Define Elevation.
A. The vertical distance of a point or level on, or on a/c above or below, the surface of the
earth measured from Mean Sea Level.
58. Define Flight Level.
A. A surface of constant atmospheric pressure, which is related to a specific pressure datum,
1013.2 mb, and is separated from other such surfaces by specific pressure intervals.
59. Expand RVSM. Explain RVSM. What are advantages of RVSM?
A. RVSM: Reduced Vertical Separation Minima. RVSM airspace refers to airspace between
FL290 and FL 410 both inclusive. A minimum separation of 1000ft is approved for
aircrafts flying in reciprocal direction and a minimum of 2000ft separation between
aircrafts flying in the same direction.
Advantages of RVSM:
1. Makes available 6 new flights levels
1. Increase airspace capacity
1. Reduce ATC workload
1. Maintain current levels of safety
1. Allow aircraft to operate at more optimum flight levels
1. Provide significant fuel savings.
1. Time saver for passengers (waiting time is reduced).
60. Expand RADAR. What are the types of RADAR?
A. RADAR: Radio Detection and Ranging.
Types: 1. Primary RADAR and 2. Secondary RADAR.
1. Primary RADAR: Primary RADAR is based solely on the echo principle and
requires no participation by target airplane.
2. Secondary RADAR: Secondary Surveillance RADAR (SSR) requires
complimentary aircraft equipment namely
TRANSPONDER. The principle is the interrogator
is responded by a signal on different frequency.
61. What do the following Q-codes mean?
1. QDM, [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link],
11. QFE, [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link] and [Link]
A. 1. qdm- magnetic heading to the station.
2. qdr- magnetic bearing of a/c from station.
3. quj- true heading to reach to the station.
4. qte- true bearing of a/c from station.
5. QDL- series of bearings.
6. qgh- series of headings.
7. qsa- signal strength.
8. qtl- true heading.
9. qti- speed.
10. qnh- station level pressure reduced to msl in isa conditions.
11. qfe- station level pressure.
12. qff- station level pressure reduced to msl under existing conditions.
13. qne- subscale setting of 1013.2 hpa (or) 29.92 inches of hg.
14. qbd- endurance
15. qrn- noise
16. qrm- interference
17. qfu- magnetic orientation of the runway
18. qsy- change over to
62. What is the frequency range for broadcasting in fm?
a. 83 TO 107.95 mhz.
63. What is the frequency range used for navigation (am and fm)?
A. 108 to 117.95 mhz.
64. What is the frequency range used for radio communication?
a. 118 to 136.975 mhz.
65. Which band is used for propagation of ground and sky waves?
A. VLF band
66. Which band is used to propagate ground waves and sky waves by day and sky waves by
night?
A. LF band.
67. Which band is used for propagation by space waves?
A. VHF band.
68. Which band has the SEVERE static interference: LF, MF VHF or VLF?
A. VLF has the SEVERE Static interference.
69. What is skip distance?
A. The distance between the transmitter and the point on the surface where the first sky wave
return arrives is called SKIP DISTANCE. For a given frequency the skip distance varies with the
time of the day and with the season of the year.
70. What is dead space?
A. The region where a signal produces both surface and sky wave’s, there may be an area
where no reception is possible. This is because the surface wave’s limit has been reached and the
sky wave has not yet started returning. This area i.e the area between the limit of the surface
wave and the point of reception of the sky wave is termed as DEAD SPACE.
1. What do you understand by radar vectoring?
A:- Radar vectoring is a service provided by a radar control in which it instructs the aircraft to
fly specific vectors in order to establish separation. The controller may inform the aircraft, of the
reasons for radar vectoring. For this the controller should know the heading of the aircraft. The
aircraft should follow the instructions given by the controller till the radar service is terminated
and the aircraft may be told to resume normal navigation.
72. How do you pass the information regarding possible “Conflicting Traffic” to the ATC on
RT?
A:- As far as practicable, the information regarding possible conflicting traffic should be passed
in the following form:-
a) Relative bearing of the conflicting traffic using either CLOCK CODE or cardinal
points (N, NW, S, SE, etc..) wrt parent / reporting aircraft.
b) Distance of one from the other, as estimated.
c) Direction of the flight of conflicting aircraft.
d) Relative speed of the conflicting aircraft. And the type of the aircraft along with
its level estimated wrt parent aircraft (Say Low, high or below, above 1000ft,
2000ft etc…)
e) Relative movement – ie closing converging, parallel, same direction, opposite.
Direction, crossing left to right or right to left etc…
1. A radar controller instructs you to execute climbing turn to right on to heading 2700. You
have an intruder on your TCAS and you are in the process of taking avoidance action to
counter the RA. What will you do and what reply will you give to the controller?
A:- I will continue with the action being taken in view of the RA. I will inform the radar
controller that I am unable to comply with his instructions in view of the RA of TCAS and
inform him of the manoeuvre I am doing to avoid that traffic(RA).
1. What do you understand by “Intruder aircraft” on TCAS?
A:- Intruder aircraft is that aircraft which is a threat to the parent aircraft because of its relative
position and proximity while it is manoeuvring. When this traffic is within 6 NM of parent
aircraft and is climbing or descending at or above 800ft/min, it is called as Intruder. It is
indicated by RED filled square with a vertical arrow on the side and the figures at the arrow head
indicate the ROC / ROD. RA will be on.
1. What is WPC and what are its sections?
A:- WPC is Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing under the Ministry of communications
created in 1952. Its head quarters is at Sanchar Bhavan, New Delhi. WPC is divided into the
following sections:-
a. Licensing and Regulation (LR)
b. New Technology Group (NTG)
c. Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocation (SACFA)
1. What is ITU and what are its functions?
A:- ITU is International Tele-communication Union. It is an international organization
established to standardize and regulate international radio and tele-communications. It is one of
the specialized agencies of the United Nations with its head quarters at Geneva. Its main
functions include Standardization, Allocation of Radio Spectrum and organizing inter connection
arrangements between different countries. ITU issues the Radio regulations.
1. What do you understand by the following?
d. Location Indicator
e. Duplex and Simplex Communication
f. Homing
g. Difference between Altitude and Elevation
A:- a) Location Indicator:- It is a four letter code group formulated in accordance with
rules prescribed by ICAO and assigned to the location of an aeronautical fixed station.
a) Duplex and Simplex Communication:- Duplex is a method in which tele-
communication between two stations can take place in both directions
simultaneously where as in Simplex, the tele-communication between two
stations takes place in one direction only at a time.
a) Homing:- The procedure of using the direction finding equipment of one radio
station with the emission of another radio station, where at least one of the
stations is mobile and where by the mobile station proceeds continuously
towards the other station.
a) Difference between Altitude and Elevation:- Altitude is the vertical distance
reported when the aircraft or airfield is above the mean sea level. When the
altimeter is set to QNH, the altimeter will read the altitude of the aircraft AMSL.
The elevation is the vertical distance of an aircraft or airfield or an object above
or below the mean sea level.
1. What do the four letters of “Location Indicator” signify?
A: - First letter (V) – Location of the Region as per ICAO. India is in a Region V.
Second letter (A, E, I, O) – FIR in which the air Field is located.
Third & Fourth – The air field/location’s code name as per ICAO.
Eg – VABB – is Bombay Airport (Santacruz)
1. How do you transmit the following on R/T.?
h. 09:45 AM b) 6200 Ft AMSL c) 118.30 MHz
A: - a) Fower Five or zero Niner Fower Five
i. Six Thousand two hundred feet
j. Wun Wun Ait decimal Tree
1. What do you understand by “WAKE TURBULENCE”? What are the Categories?
A:- Wake Turbulence is a term used to describe that can be caused by the disturbed and
rough air behind an aeroplane due to the wing tip vortices. It depends on the All Up Weight,
No of Engines etc. It is of three categories based on AUW namely, Light, Medium and
Heavy. Lighter Weight A/C should not get into the Wake of Heavier A/C. There are
specified times laid down for delaying T/o or landing based on the wake turb. Cat of a/c
taking off or waiting to T/o or land.
1. What is cloud Ceiling?
A: - Cloud Ceiling is the base of the lowest Layer of Cloud below 20,000 feet which covers
more than half the sky .
1. Define Atmospheric Visibility? What is Fog?
A: - Atmospheric Visibility is the transparency or Obscurity of the atmosphere. It is the
maximum distance at which an object can be identified clearly by naked eye and is measured in
meters up to 3000 meters above which it is in kilo meters.
Fog is a cloud formed close to the surface where in the visibility is less than 1000 meters.
1. What is the difference between Duct Propagation and Multi hop propagation?
A:-
Aspects Duct Propagation Multi Hop Propagation
a) Cause Inversion layer close to the Due to good power of
surface transmission and angle of
incidence
b) Frequency Band VHF, UHF VLF, LF
c) Area of occurrence Between surface and inversion Between surface and
layer which forms a duct. Ionosphere
d) Effect The range of operation will Range of 1000s of kilometers
increase beyond the normal line were experienced – at times the
of sight. waves may be able to go round
the earth
1. Give some examples of the use of Primary and Secondary radar?
A:- Primary Radar :- a) Surveillance and precision approach radar
b) Weather radar
c) Air defence radar`
Secondary Radar :- a) Transponder
b) Distance measuring equipment
1. Name some of the Airfield and Runway approach aids?
A:- Airfield approach aids:- a) ADF
b) VOR
c) DME
d) SRE
e) VDF
Runway approach aids:- a) ILS b) MLS c) PAR
86. What do you understand by the following phrases?
a) Confirm b) Affirm c) Acknowledge d) Read Back e) Wilco
A:- a) Confirm:- I request verification of (clearance etc…)
b) Affirm :- Yes
c) Acknowledge:- Let me know what you have received and understood in this message.
d) Read Back:- Repeat all or specified part of this message back to me exactly as
received.
e) Wilco:- I understand your message and will comply with it.
1. What is Air-To-Ground communication?
A. One way communication between aircraft and stations or locations on the surface of the
earth.
88. What is AIR-Ground communication?
A:- Two way communication between aircraft and stations or locations on the surface of the
earth.
89. What is Ground-to-air communication?
A. One way communication from stations or locations on the surface of the earth to
aircraft.
90. What is Primary Frequency?
A. The radiotelephony frequency assigned to an aircraft as a first choice for air-ground
communication in a radiotelephony network.
91. What is Secondary Frequency?
A. The radiotelephony frequency assigned to an aircraft to an as a second choice for
air-ground communication in a radiotelephony network.
92. What are the components of ILS?
A. [Link]
[Link]
[Link] Beacons
[Link]
93. What does NOTAM Series A consists of?
A. Series A is concerned to long or medium range flights, and given selected international
distribution hours. It usually lasts more than 2 Hours.
94. What does NOTAM Series C consists of?
A. Series C contains information concerned to aircraft other than those engaged in
international civil aviation, and given national/domestic distribution only.
1. How many hours does NOTAM Series B last for?
A. NOTAM Series B lasts for more than 30 minutes but less than 2 hours.
96. What is the phrase used in aviation for “Let me know that you have received and
understood”?
A. ACKNOWLEDGE
97. What is the phrase used in aviation for “Annul the previously transmitted clearance”?
A. CANCEL
98. How is Heading 100 degrees transmitted?
A. “Heading One Zero Zero”.
99. How is Number 100.3 transmitted?
A. “One Zero Zero Decimal Tree”
100. What is Flight Visibility?
A. The visibility forwarded from the cockpit of an aircraft in flight is termed as flight
visibility.