How do you manage unstable approach criteria under pressure?

Define hard gates in advance, monitor trend, and execute go-around discipline when criteria fail.

How do you decide between holding and diversion in worsening weather?

Recalculate margin, set a hard decision point, and communicate early with ATC and crew.

Show trigger detection, cross-check, mode correction, and CRM workload split.

Explain the difference between transition altitude and transition level.

The transition altitude is the altitude at or below which aircraft use the local QNH setting. Above this point, they switch to standard pressure (1013.25 hPa or 29.92 inHg). \to It is used during climb . \to It is fixed for each airport (e.g. always 18,000 ft in the US and Canada). The transition level is the lowest usable flight level at or above which aircraft operate on standard pressure . Below this point, they must use the local QNH setting. \to It is used during descent . \to It usually varies depending on the current QNH, but may be fixed at some airports. The airspace between the transition altitude and the transition level is called the transition layer . Note: Level flight is not permitted within the transition layer. For example, if the transition altitude is 5000 ft and the transition level is FL070, an aircraft would not be cleared to maintain FL060 or 6,000 ft within that layer.

What are the 5 aircraft approach categories?

Aircraft approach categories are based on the aircraft’s $V_{AT}$, which is the indicated airspeed at threshold. Vat is defined as 1.3 × $V_{SREF}$ (stalling speed in landing configuration) at the maximum certified landing weight. The 5 categories are: Category $V_{AT}$ Range A < 91 kt B 91 kt ≤ $V_{AT}$ < 121 kt C 121 kt ≤ $V_{AT}$ < 141 kt D 141 kt ≤ $V_{AT}$ < 166 kt E 166 kt ≤ $V_{AT}$ < 211 kt (military) Note: These categories are used to determine approach minima, obstacle clearance requirements, and procedure design.

How can you determine the runway width based on the threshold markings?

The number of stripes painted at the runway threshold provides a visual indication of the runway width : Number of Threshold Stripes Runway Width 8 stripes 30 meters 12 stripes 45 meters 16 stripes 60 meters Note: Each white stripe is 3.75 meters wide . This method allows pilots to quickly assess runway width, especially at unfamiliar airports.

What are the ICAO maximum holding speeds?

The ICAO maximum holding speeds depend on the holding altitude and aircraft category: Altitude Max Holding Speed \leq 14,000 ft 230 kt (Category C-E) / 170 kt (Category A-B) > 14,000 ft to \leq 20,000 ft 240 kt > 20,000 ft to \leq 34,000 ft 265 kt > 34,000 ft Mach 0.83 Note: These are standard ICAO limits. Local procedures or ATC instructions may specify lower values.

What are the ICAO wake turbulence categories?

ICAO wake turbulence categories are based on an aircraft’s Maximum Certified Takeoff Weight (MTOW) and are used by ATC to apply appropriate separation minima to mitigate wake turbulence risk. Category Letter Code MTOW Criteria Examples Super J Specific aircraft designated as "Super" in ICAO Doc 8643 Airbus A380 Heavy H \geq 136 tonnes and not classified as Super Boeing 747, A350 Medium M > 7 tonnes and < 136 tonnes Boeing 737, A320, ATR72 Light L \leq 7 tonnes Cessna 172, PC-12 Note: - The "Super" category is not based solely on MTOW, but on ICAO designation found in Doc 8643 . - Wake turbulence categories are filed in the ICAO flight plan (Item 9) using the codes J, H, M, or L .

Category	Letter Code	MTOW Criteria	Examples
Super	J	Specific aircraft designated as "Super" in ICAO Doc 8643	Airbus A380
Heavy	H	≥ 136 tonnes and not classified as Super	Boeing 747, A350
Medium	M	> 7 tonnes and < 136 tonnes	Boeing 737, A320, ATR72
Light	L	≤ 7 tonnes	Cessna 172, PC-12

What are the services provided in each class of airspace?

The ICAO airspace classes (A to G) determine the level of ATC services, separation, and communication requirements provided to aircraft. Summary of services by airspace class: Class ATC Clearance Required Separation Provided Traffic Information VFR Flights Allowed A Yes IFR vs IFR Not applicable ❌ Not allowed B Yes IFR vs IFR, IFR vs VFR, VFR vs VFR Yes (to all) ✅ Yes C Yes IFR vs IFR, IFR vs VFR VFR receives traffic info on VFR ✅ Yes D Yes IFR vs IFR VFR receives info on IFR, traffic info as far as practical ✅ Yes E IFR: Yes / VFR: No IFR vs IFR VFR gets info as far as practical ✅ Yes F IFR: Advised / VFR: No Advisory only (IFR) Info available if possible ✅ Yes G No None Available if possible ✅ Yes Notes: Separation = active ATC responsibility to maintain distance between aircraft. Traffic information = ATC provides position info, but separation is not ensured. Classes F and G are uncontrolled airspace. Important: The exact usage of each class may vary depending on the state’s AIP .

Class	ATC Clearance Required	Separation Provided	Traffic Information	VFR Flights Allowed
A	Yes	IFR vs IFR	Not applicable	❌ Not allowed
B	Yes	IFR vs IFR, IFR vs VFR, VFR vs VFR	Yes (to all)	✅ Yes
C	Yes	IFR vs IFR, IFR vs VFR	VFR receives traffic info on VFR	✅ Yes
D	Yes	IFR vs IFR	VFR receives info on IFR, traffic info as far as practical	✅ Yes
E	IFR: Yes / VFR: No	IFR vs IFR	VFR gets info as far as practical	✅ Yes
F	IFR: Advised / VFR: No	Advisory only (IFR)	Info available if possible	✅ Yes
G	No	None	Available if possible	✅ Yes

When flying over a foreign state, whose air law do you abide to?

Member-only answer