COMMSFour parts of a standard radio call?
Who you're calling · who you are · where you are · what you want.
COMMSWhere do you self-announce at a non-towered field?
On the CTAF; listen and look for other traffic.
COMMSWhich instructions must always be read back?
Hold-short and runway/clearance instructions (verbatim).
LIGHTSteady GREEN — in flight vs. on ground?
In flight: cleared to land. On ground: cleared for takeoff.
LIGHTFlashing GREEN — in flight vs. on ground?
In flight: return for landing (steady green follows). On ground: cleared to taxi.
LIGHTSteady RED — in flight vs. on ground?
In flight: give way / continue circling. On ground: stop.
LIGHTFlashing RED — in flight vs. on ground?
In flight: airport unsafe, do not land. On ground: taxi clear of the runway in use.
LIGHTFlashing WHITE (on ground)?
Return to starting point on the airport.
LIGHTAlternating RED & GREEN?
Exercise extreme caution (air or ground).
LOSTCOMVFR radio failure — squawk?
7600; watch for light-gun signals and proceed per the AIM.
MARKRunway markings color vs. taxiway markings color?
Runway = white; taxiway = yellow.
MARKSolid double-yellow line means?
Holding-position (hold-short) marking — don't cross without a clearance.
MARKMandatory sign color scheme?
Red background, white text (e.g., runway holding position).
MARKLocation sign vs. direction sign colors?
Location = black w/ yellow text; direction/destination = yellow w/ black text.
HELITLOF vs. FATO?
TLOF = touchdown & lift-off area; FATO = final approach & takeoff area (surrounds the TLOF).
PATTERNHow does a helicopter pattern differ from the airplane pattern?
Lower & tighter; terminates to a spot other than the active runway; often opposite direction.
PATTERNTypical helicopter pattern altitude (general guidance)?
~500–1,000 ft AGL (general). No single number — look up the field in ForeFlight (Chart Supplement/sectional).
PATTERNWhy are helicopter patterns often flown opposite the airplane direction?
Right-seat pilot visibility and to stay clear of fixed-wing flow.
RISKDominant pattern hazard and primary defense?
Traffic conflict with faster airplanes — be predictable, self-announce, scan, brief a go-around.
RISKTwo ways the ground hurts you in airport ops?
Missed/misread hold-short (runway incursion) and downwash on people/objects.