ATPL RADIO VIVA EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
EDTO - Correct Answers -Extended Diversion Time Operations. Evolved from ETOPS
to include extended operations for 2, 3 or 4 engine aircraft.
Intended to design reliable aircraft, engines, systems and procedures for safe EDTO
diversions.
Max EDTO certified for an aircraft is '787 Dreamliner' with 330 mins.
ETOPS - Correct Answers -Extended Twin Engine Operations are flights conducted on
a route that contains a point further than 1hr flying time, at 1 engine inoperative cruise
speed, under standard isa conditions in still air, from an adequate aerodrome.
Establishes safety regulations for 2 engine aircraft on routes previously restricted to 3 or
4 engine aircrafts.
Difference between EDTO and ETOPS - Correct Answers -ETOPS - Extended Twin
Operations
Provide high level of safety - use of twin engines on routes previously restricted to 3 or 4
engine planes.
ETOPS (only twin) evolved to EDTO (all) in 2012.
How did ETOPS come into being? - Correct Answers -Earlier when all aircrafts were
piston engines they were considered unsafe for routes with diversion more than 60
minutes. Jet powered proved more reliable, but we're still limited by the same by FAA
even though ICAO allowed for 90mins. In the 1970s as the first twin high-bypass
turbofan airliners came into service, with the extra power and economy, they rivaled the
current 3 engined wide body jets. The proven reliability of engines led to the
establishment of ETOPS.
In 1985, FAA approved ETOPS 120 which was sufficient for transatlantic flight to TWA
starting with 90 and extended to 120 after operational evaluation.
1988, 120 was made extendable to 180, subject to stringent technical and operational
conditions.
,What is ETOPS premised on? - Correct Answers -That there will not be an engine shut
down more than twice in 100,000 engine hours.
Statistics have shown that turbines are extremely reliable components and that the
engine ancillaries such as pumps, control systems are more likely to fail. For this
reason, engines may have duplex systems which can give them the required reliability
rating with the introduction of APU and RAT to provide bleed air and electrical and
hydraulic power.
How small has the world become with the introduction of ETOPS? - Correct Answers -
An ETOPS 180 with 15% extension to 207 minutes covers 95% of the earth's surface.
Some areas of the antartic and southern ocean are excluded from twin engine
operations.
Adequate aerodrome vs Suitable aerodrome - Correct Answers -AA : Safety
requirements of a/c ldg and t.o at expected time of use. A/c requirement w.r.t lighting,
coms, nav aids etc & at least one instrument approach available (including ground
based approaches)
SA : Adequate + suitable wx at the expected time of use.
Isolated aerodrome - Correct Answers -An aerodrome that has no destination alternate
for a given aircraft type
Threshold Time - Correct Answers -Single engine flying time in standard ISA, in still air,
to an alternate aerodrome. Approved includes :
60 mins : schd flights or 2 eng a/c with pax > 19, AUW > 45360kg
90 mins : non schd flights or 2 eng with pax < 19, AUW < 45360kg
120 mins : a/c with more than 2 engines
For diversion time more than 60 mins, DGCA approval is required and in such cases,
aircraft system requirements, operator procedures & SOP will be more stringent.
The threshold time for EDTO established by DGCA is 60 mins for 2 engine aeroplanes
and 120 mins for more than 2 engine aeroplanes.
Factors affecting EDTO as per DGCA - Correct Answers -- Reliability of the propulsion
system
- Airworthiness certification for EDTO of the aeroplane type
- EDTO maintenance program
- Capabilities of the operator
- Overall reliability of the aeroplane
,- Airframe certification
- Reliability of each system
- Relevant information from the aeroplane manufacturer
- crew training and certification
EDTO Entry Point - Correct Answers -Point at which time to closest aerodrome at single
engine cruise speed under ISA conditions in still air is more than threshold time (60
mins)
EDTO Significant system - Correct Answers -Engine/system, whose failure will severely
affect EDTO flight. Max diversion time must not exceed EDTO significant systems max
working time, further reduced by a safety margin of 15 mins.
IndiGo - Cargo fire suppression system - 205 mins depending on the aircraft. Time for
which the bottles are effective.
EDTO critical fuel - Correct Answers -EDTO should carry additional fuel to cater for the
following eventualities (whichever is greater) :
- Rapid decomp and descent to oxygen safe altitude
- Rapid decomp + engine failure & descent to oxygen safe alt
- Engine failure and descent to DDA (least critical)
+ fuel to fly to alternate
+ 15 min hold time at 1500' above dest
+ fuel for IAP + landing
+ additional fuel : i.e 5% HW factor added to forecast winds + 5% extra cruise fuel to
cater for deterioration in a/c performance + APU fuel
Difference in calculation of critical fuel between EDTO and ETOPS - Correct Answers -
ETOPS includes fuel for go-around + visual landing. This fuel requirement is 10% more.
Max EDTO certified aircraft? - Correct Answers -The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is certified
for a maximum EDTO of 330 minutes, which means that it can fly up to 5.5 hours away
from a suitable airport in the event of an engine failure, while still being able to safely
divert to another airport.
Other aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 777 have similar or slightly lower
maximum EDTO certifications. It's worth noting that the maximum EDTO certification is
not a fixed number, and can vary depending on the specific configuration and
capabilities of the aircraft.
PBN - Correct Answers -Performance Based Navigation : represents a shift from sensor
based navigation to a performance based navigation due to the improvements in
accuracy of navigation systems. Provides precise, predictable and repeatable satellite
, navigation. PBN specifies nav specifications & are defined in terms of accuracy,
integrity, availability & functionality needed in a particular airspace.
2 key components include : Area Navigation (RNAV) and Required Navigation
Performance (RNP)
Prior to PBN, aircrafts zigzagged from one ground nav stn to another. ATCs had to
block large areas of air space around the a/c to compensate for the variations in flight.
With RNAV, aircraft's fly more direct and optimized paths. ATC can block smaller
amounts of airspace. We get even more precise with RNP. The aircraft is contained
within a narrow corridor and the procedures can be defined with pinpoint predictable
curve paths that provide even greater operational opportunities.
What is area navigation? - Correct Answers -Area navigation or RNAV system is a
method of navigation which permits aircraft operations on any desired track within the
coverage of station referenced navigation signals or within the limits of a self contained
navigation system or a combination of these. No requirement to fly over ground based
facilities.
What is the accuracy to be met when RNAV is used? - Correct Answers -Required
Navigational Performance. For eg RNP 1 signifies that the standard of accuracy is 1nm
and needs to be met 95 percent of the flying time in both lateral and longitudinal
directions.
Advantages of RNAV - Correct Answers -Direct routing, increasing operating efficiency.
I.e Less distance, less fuel, less time and hence less cost.
- increased route capacity (increased number of routes, reduction in vertical and
horizontal separation, greater pilot choice of routes, establishment of optimum locations
for holding patterns)
- a reduction in number of ground facilities
Two types of RNAV systems - Correct Answers -B-RNAV and P-RNAV
Basic RNAV require to give lateral and longitudinal position accuracy up to 5nm on 95
percent of occasions. Mandatory for px aircraft's in most airspaces.
Precision RNAV needs to accurate up to 1nm 95percent of occasions. Mostly in
terminal airspace.
levels of regulation - Correct Answers -2D - provides guidance only in horizontal plane
3D - horizontal + vertical
4D - horizontal + vertical + time
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
EDTO - Correct Answers -Extended Diversion Time Operations. Evolved from ETOPS
to include extended operations for 2, 3 or 4 engine aircraft.
Intended to design reliable aircraft, engines, systems and procedures for safe EDTO
diversions.
Max EDTO certified for an aircraft is '787 Dreamliner' with 330 mins.
ETOPS - Correct Answers -Extended Twin Engine Operations are flights conducted on
a route that contains a point further than 1hr flying time, at 1 engine inoperative cruise
speed, under standard isa conditions in still air, from an adequate aerodrome.
Establishes safety regulations for 2 engine aircraft on routes previously restricted to 3 or
4 engine aircrafts.
Difference between EDTO and ETOPS - Correct Answers -ETOPS - Extended Twin
Operations
Provide high level of safety - use of twin engines on routes previously restricted to 3 or 4
engine planes.
ETOPS (only twin) evolved to EDTO (all) in 2012.
How did ETOPS come into being? - Correct Answers -Earlier when all aircrafts were
piston engines they were considered unsafe for routes with diversion more than 60
minutes. Jet powered proved more reliable, but we're still limited by the same by FAA
even though ICAO allowed for 90mins. In the 1970s as the first twin high-bypass
turbofan airliners came into service, with the extra power and economy, they rivaled the
current 3 engined wide body jets. The proven reliability of engines led to the
establishment of ETOPS.
In 1985, FAA approved ETOPS 120 which was sufficient for transatlantic flight to TWA
starting with 90 and extended to 120 after operational evaluation.
1988, 120 was made extendable to 180, subject to stringent technical and operational
conditions.
,What is ETOPS premised on? - Correct Answers -That there will not be an engine shut
down more than twice in 100,000 engine hours.
Statistics have shown that turbines are extremely reliable components and that the
engine ancillaries such as pumps, control systems are more likely to fail. For this
reason, engines may have duplex systems which can give them the required reliability
rating with the introduction of APU and RAT to provide bleed air and electrical and
hydraulic power.
How small has the world become with the introduction of ETOPS? - Correct Answers -
An ETOPS 180 with 15% extension to 207 minutes covers 95% of the earth's surface.
Some areas of the antartic and southern ocean are excluded from twin engine
operations.
Adequate aerodrome vs Suitable aerodrome - Correct Answers -AA : Safety
requirements of a/c ldg and t.o at expected time of use. A/c requirement w.r.t lighting,
coms, nav aids etc & at least one instrument approach available (including ground
based approaches)
SA : Adequate + suitable wx at the expected time of use.
Isolated aerodrome - Correct Answers -An aerodrome that has no destination alternate
for a given aircraft type
Threshold Time - Correct Answers -Single engine flying time in standard ISA, in still air,
to an alternate aerodrome. Approved includes :
60 mins : schd flights or 2 eng a/c with pax > 19, AUW > 45360kg
90 mins : non schd flights or 2 eng with pax < 19, AUW < 45360kg
120 mins : a/c with more than 2 engines
For diversion time more than 60 mins, DGCA approval is required and in such cases,
aircraft system requirements, operator procedures & SOP will be more stringent.
The threshold time for EDTO established by DGCA is 60 mins for 2 engine aeroplanes
and 120 mins for more than 2 engine aeroplanes.
Factors affecting EDTO as per DGCA - Correct Answers -- Reliability of the propulsion
system
- Airworthiness certification for EDTO of the aeroplane type
- EDTO maintenance program
- Capabilities of the operator
- Overall reliability of the aeroplane
,- Airframe certification
- Reliability of each system
- Relevant information from the aeroplane manufacturer
- crew training and certification
EDTO Entry Point - Correct Answers -Point at which time to closest aerodrome at single
engine cruise speed under ISA conditions in still air is more than threshold time (60
mins)
EDTO Significant system - Correct Answers -Engine/system, whose failure will severely
affect EDTO flight. Max diversion time must not exceed EDTO significant systems max
working time, further reduced by a safety margin of 15 mins.
IndiGo - Cargo fire suppression system - 205 mins depending on the aircraft. Time for
which the bottles are effective.
EDTO critical fuel - Correct Answers -EDTO should carry additional fuel to cater for the
following eventualities (whichever is greater) :
- Rapid decomp and descent to oxygen safe altitude
- Rapid decomp + engine failure & descent to oxygen safe alt
- Engine failure and descent to DDA (least critical)
+ fuel to fly to alternate
+ 15 min hold time at 1500' above dest
+ fuel for IAP + landing
+ additional fuel : i.e 5% HW factor added to forecast winds + 5% extra cruise fuel to
cater for deterioration in a/c performance + APU fuel
Difference in calculation of critical fuel between EDTO and ETOPS - Correct Answers -
ETOPS includes fuel for go-around + visual landing. This fuel requirement is 10% more.
Max EDTO certified aircraft? - Correct Answers -The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is certified
for a maximum EDTO of 330 minutes, which means that it can fly up to 5.5 hours away
from a suitable airport in the event of an engine failure, while still being able to safely
divert to another airport.
Other aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 777 have similar or slightly lower
maximum EDTO certifications. It's worth noting that the maximum EDTO certification is
not a fixed number, and can vary depending on the specific configuration and
capabilities of the aircraft.
PBN - Correct Answers -Performance Based Navigation : represents a shift from sensor
based navigation to a performance based navigation due to the improvements in
accuracy of navigation systems. Provides precise, predictable and repeatable satellite
, navigation. PBN specifies nav specifications & are defined in terms of accuracy,
integrity, availability & functionality needed in a particular airspace.
2 key components include : Area Navigation (RNAV) and Required Navigation
Performance (RNP)
Prior to PBN, aircrafts zigzagged from one ground nav stn to another. ATCs had to
block large areas of air space around the a/c to compensate for the variations in flight.
With RNAV, aircraft's fly more direct and optimized paths. ATC can block smaller
amounts of airspace. We get even more precise with RNP. The aircraft is contained
within a narrow corridor and the procedures can be defined with pinpoint predictable
curve paths that provide even greater operational opportunities.
What is area navigation? - Correct Answers -Area navigation or RNAV system is a
method of navigation which permits aircraft operations on any desired track within the
coverage of station referenced navigation signals or within the limits of a self contained
navigation system or a combination of these. No requirement to fly over ground based
facilities.
What is the accuracy to be met when RNAV is used? - Correct Answers -Required
Navigational Performance. For eg RNP 1 signifies that the standard of accuracy is 1nm
and needs to be met 95 percent of the flying time in both lateral and longitudinal
directions.
Advantages of RNAV - Correct Answers -Direct routing, increasing operating efficiency.
I.e Less distance, less fuel, less time and hence less cost.
- increased route capacity (increased number of routes, reduction in vertical and
horizontal separation, greater pilot choice of routes, establishment of optimum locations
for holding patterns)
- a reduction in number of ground facilities
Two types of RNAV systems - Correct Answers -B-RNAV and P-RNAV
Basic RNAV require to give lateral and longitudinal position accuracy up to 5nm on 95
percent of occasions. Mandatory for px aircraft's in most airspaces.
Precision RNAV needs to accurate up to 1nm 95percent of occasions. Mostly in
terminal airspace.
levels of regulation - Correct Answers -2D - provides guidance only in horizontal plane
3D - horizontal + vertical
4D - horizontal + vertical + time
