SAFE VFR Challenge Quiz
AirVenture 2015
Questions/Answers/References
Refer to the Albuquerque and/or Denver Sectional Charts. You depart Santa Fe (KSAF) and, using GPS, proceed direct to Taos Regional (KSKX) then direct to Angel Fire (KAXX), direct to Las Vegas (KLVS), and return direct to Santa Fe. The weather is VFR with clear skies and visibility reported as greater than 25 miles throughout the area. Winds are reported as light and variable. Forecasts for the region are for the same weather during your planned flight.
1. What is the distance between Sana Fe (KSAF) and Taos (KSKX)?
a. 54 NM
b. 64 NM
c. 64 SM
d. 54 SM
ANSWER: (a) 54 NM
Using GPS for navigation you enter the departure airport KSAFE and destination/waypoint KSKX. The distance is depicted as 54 NM.
(b) and (c) are incorrect. This distance reference is the V63 airway segment between the Santa Fe and Taos VORs. Charted distances are in Nautical Miles (NM).
(d) is incorrect. GPS distance references are in Nautical Miles.
2. What is the approximate longitude of KSAF?
a. 36° S magnetic
b. 36° N true
c. 106° W magnetic
d. 106° W true
ANSWER: (d) 106° W true
Lines of latitude and longitude are referenced to true north. Both are divided into degrees (°), minutes (‘), and seconds (”).
Lines of longitude (meridians) run between the true north and south poles. Longitude is measured east and west from the prime meridian (0°) located in Greenwich, England. The longitude symbol (black, ticked line) 106° West runs just east of Santa Fe. The exact longitude of Santa Fe is 106° 5’ West.
Lines of latitude run horizontally, parallel to the equator. A degree of latitude is 60 nautical miles (NM) wide, a minute of latitude is 1 nautical mile (NM) wide. The latitude of Santa Fe is 35° 37’ North.
(a) and (c) are incorrect. Latitude and longitude use true north reference.
(b) is incorrect. 36° N is the latitude symbol (ticked black line) located north of Santa Fe.
3. What is the Maximum Elevation Figure (MEF) along the route KSAF - KSKX?
a. 13,500 MSL
b. 13,200 MSL
c. 13,500 MSL southern portion and 13,200 MSL northern portion
d. 13,500 AGL
ANSWER: (c) 13,500 MSL southern portion and 13,200 MSL northern portion
The Maximum Elevation Figure (MEF), large blue numerals, represents the highest elevation within a 30’ latitude and 30’ longitude quadrant, bounded by a black ticked line. MEFs are measured in reference to Mean Sea Level (MSL). Regarding natural elevations, the MEF is rounded up to the next 100 feet, then two allowances are added, 100 feet for possible vertical error and 200 feet for uncharted obstacles. Regarding manmade obstacles, after a rounding up to the next 100 feet, an additional 100 is feet added for possible surveying errors.
(a) and (b) are incorrect. There are two MEFs for the route segment between KSAF and KSKX.
(d) is incorrect. MEFs are referenced to Mean Sea Level (MSL) altitudes.
4. What Class airspace surrounds Taos Regional Airport (KSKX)
a. Class A
b. Class B
c. Class D
d. Class E
ANSWER: (d) Class E
The shaded magenta ring surrounding the Taos Regional Airport is one of three symbols used to depict Class E (echo) airspace. This controlled airspace has a floor of 700 feet AGL and extends upward to overlying airspace.
(a), (b), and (c) are incorrect. See Aeronautical Chart User’s Guide for additional information on chart symbology.
5. When transmitting on the Taos RCO frequency, you are communicating with whom?
a. Desert Flight, the Taos FBO
b. Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center
c. Albuquerque Flight Service Station (FSS)
d. Taos CTAF
ANSWER: (c) Albuquerque Flight Service
The Pilot/Controller Glossary describes Remote Communications Outlet (RCO) as an unmanned communications facility that extends the communications range of the air traffic facility, in this case, the Albuquerque Flight Service Station. Note the FSS name below the RCO information block.
(a) is incorrect. The FBO may operate a Unicom but that frequency is not indicated on the sectional chart.
(b) is incorrect. Albuquerque Center’s (ARTCC) sector frequencies are not shown on the sectional chart.
(d) is incorrect. The Taos Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) is included in the airport’s data, is magenta colored, and is 122.8.
6. What is the minimum altitude you must maintain while flying over Taos Pueblo Wilderness Area?
a. 2,000 feet AGL
b. 2,500 feet AGL
c. 1,200 feet AGL
d. No minimum altitude
ANSWER: (d) No minimum altitude
The VFR Chart Legend states, “All aircraft are requested to maintain a minimum altitude of 2,000 feet above the surface of the …Wilderness Areas. Note the information block with a line of blue dots leading to the Wilderness Area symbol. There pilots are requested to avoid flights below 3,000 feet AGL.
The question asked for a minimum required altitude.
(a), (b), and (c) are incorrect. See above.
7. South of Angel Fire, what does the blue “zipper” symbol depict?
a. Prohibited airspace - DO NOT ENTER!
b. A change in the floor of the controlled airspace
c. Controlled Firing Area – proceed at your own risk
d. The symbol is a charting error
ANSWER: (b) a change in the floor of the controlled airspace
The Aeronautical Chart User’s Guide states, “Class E Airspace. This symbol differentiates floors of airspace greater than 700 feet above the surface.”
(a) is incorrect. Prohibited Areas are outlined by a blue line with blue barbs inside symbol.
(c) is incorrect. Controlled Firing Areas are not depicted on Sectional Charts.
(d) is incorrect. See above.
8. At point B, the GPS fails, navigating to the VOR located on KLVS what radial are you located on?
a. The 122 degree radial
b. The 302 degree radial
c. The 360/0 degree radial
d. The 132 degree radial
ANSWER: (b) The 302 degree radial
There are 360 bearings (radials) that radiate out from the VOR antenna. A centered needle (CDI) with a FROM flag indicates your location in relation to the station. There is only one 302 degree radial, it is northwest of the station (about Point B).
After tuning the VOR receiver to the Fort Union VORTAC (117.3 Mhz) and identifying it, rotate the Omni Bearing Selector (OBS) to a course that centers the Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) with a TO flag (approximately 122 degrees).This is your course to the station.
9. What is the ceiling of the KSAFE Class D airspace?
a. 6,349 feet
b. That information is not available
c. 8,800 feet MSL
d. 8,800 feet AGL
ANSWER: (c) 8,800 feet MSL
Class D (Delta) airspace is indicated by the dashed blue line circling the Santa Fe airport. The note above the airport’s information block indicates that the Class D airspace is not effective 24 hours. Between that note and the airport information data is the number 88 in square brackets. That is the ceiling of the Class D airspace in hundreds of fee MSL.
(a) is incorrect. 6,349 feet is the Santa Fe airport’s elevation
(b) is incorrect. See above.
(d) is incorrect. See above.
10. Approaching KSAF at night you strain to see the airport’s rotating beacon. The colors and pattern of the beacon flashes you should see are:
a. White and yellow, at a rate of between 24 and 30 per minute.
b. Green, yellow, and white at a rate between 30 and 45 per minute>
c. Green and white, with two quick white flashes between green flashes.
d. White and green, at a rate of between 24 and 30 per minute.
ANSWER: (d) White and green, at a rate of between 24 and 30 per minute.
Rotating beacons are detailed in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), Paragraph 2-1-10 Airport/Heliport Beacons. A lighted land airport’s beacon has white and green colors and flashes between 24 and 30 times a minute.
(a) is incorrect. White and yellow at a rate of between 24 and 30 flashes is a lighted water airport.
(b) is incorrect. Green, yellow, and white with 30 – 45 flashes is a lighted heliport.
(c) is incorrect. Green with two quick white flashes is a military airport.
2