Radar, Airfield, and Weather Systems (RAWS) CDC Volume 3 Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• What are touchdown zone markings, and where are they located?
• What is the function of a radar duplexer?
• NOTAM L provides which type of information?
• What is a Marker Beacon and its place in ILS?
• What site support subsystem (SSS) device maintains a replica if all application specific and commercially available software required for restoration of any system processor?
• The Monitor and Control Workstation (MCW) SYS 1 processor can access which local area networks (LAN)?
• Define weather hazard and give examples relevant to RAWS interpretation.
• What is the primary purpose of a Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) in air traffic control?
• Which term refers to the equipment used to generate training and testing data for radar and inter-facility messages?
• What is MALSR, and what problem does it solve for instrument approaches?
• Why is the altimeter setting important in METAR/TAF data for runway operations?
• What does an aircraft's speed and angle in reference to a radar site determine?
• What routine checks are performed on an ILS glide slope transmitter?
• What is an AIRMET?
• What is PAPI and what information does it convey?
• Which SOS subsystem has a server that retains and distributes software for a site?
• Where is the terminal display workstation (TDW) monitor's brightness controlled?
• In METAR wind group format, what does KT denote?
• Azimuth resolution in radar terms refers to:
• What is the role of the ATIS in RAWS operations?
• How does wind direction relative to runway heading affect takeoff and landing performance?
• What safety procedures should RAWS personnel follow when performing field maintenance near active runways?
• Which term denotes the equipment used to simulate testing and training scenarios in radar operations?
• What function does the ILS localizer provide and along which axis does it guide the aircraft?
• Which item provides the X-Windows terminal displayed at the MCW?
• In MSSR terminology, what is the center of the main radar beam called?
• What is Doppler radar used for in weather applications?
• What defines range resolution in radar terms?
• Which statement accurately describes how a weather radar depicts precipitation intensity on its display?
• In DME distance measurements, what does slant-range distance represent?
• NOTAM L concerns information localized to a specific airfield. Which of the following statements is correct about NOTAM L?
• Which is not a basic element of STARS?
• In the Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR), if one transmitter amplifier module fails or is in standby, the remaining seven amplifier modules will provide a minimum of 14kW peak power. This is enough power to cover how many nautical miles (nm)?
• Which processing step helps mitigate clutter caused by terrain at different elevations?
• TTSE/SIM stands for which of the following?
• Which statement about altimeter setting and vertical guidance is true?
• What does PAPI provide to pilots, and how is glide slope indicated?
• Which indicator uses color-coded lights to indicate deviations from the ideal glide path?
• Which is not an element of surveillance radar data?
• What is the difference between METAR and TAF in terms of content?
• What is the role of obstruction lighting near airports?
• Which describes the information provided by VOR and DME?
• How do automatic weather observation systems support runway operations during severe weather?
• Which display presents target positions as range and azimuth around the radar site?
• Marker beacons along the approach include Outer Marker, Middle Marker, and Inner Marker; which marker is encountered first?
• What is Surface Movement Radar (SMR), and what is its purpose?
• Marker beacons along the approach include Outer Marker, Middle Marker, and Inner Marker; which marker is encountered closest to the runway?
• Compare precision and non-precision approaches with examples.
• What term describes an aircraft becoming invisible to radar due to Doppler shift equal to the radar's PRF?
• The Terminal Automation Subsystem (TAS) is a component of which STARS subsystem?
• Which statement best describes the role of the STARS Central Support Complex (SCSC)?
• You normally see the Terminal Controller Workstation (TCW) located in the
• What is the storage capability for the site support subsystem (SSS) digital audio tapes (DAT)?
• Why are NOTAMs important when adverse weather affects airfield operations?
• Which ILS component provides vertical guidance?
• Which sources provide wind information used during RAWS operations?
• What is the frequency range of the Primary Surveillance Radar?
• Which statement about RAWS data usage is accurate?
• Which MSSR subsystem is used for health monitoring and maintenance tasks?
• What is the purpose of radar calibration targets?
• What are runway edge lights and why are they important?
• Obstruction lights near airports are installed primarily to why?
• Who sets standards for airfield markings?
• What is the role of METAR/TAF within RAWS operations?
• What is VASI and how does it differ from PAPI?
• What primarily determines a radar's range resolution?
• Within STARS, which component is primarily responsible for software distribution across sites?
• The Sum port is the main beam of the antenna; the center of this main radar beam is known as the
• What distance measurement does DME provide?
• What is Doppler velocity aliasing?
• What is the purpose of a clutter map in radar data processing?
• What is a visibility sensor (transmissometer) and how does it relate to RAWS?
• Doppler velocity aliasing can impact radar interpretation by causing which of the following?
• What process is not necessary with digitized beacon and primary radar systems like the ASR-11?
• What is an Omnidirectional Approach Lighting System (ODALS), and why is it being replaced in many locations?
• Approach minima specify the weather or visual cues required to continue an approach?
• Which MSSR terminal is used for maintenance?
• What are the dimensions of the STARS coverage area?
• What does SSR stand for and what information does it provide?
• If the System Monitor Control (SMC) manager fails to receive periodic heartbeats from the SMC agents, what has happened?
• The TAF provides forecast weather information for which of the following?
• What is MALSR and its role?
• With a displaced threshold, is the area before the threshold generally available for takeoffs?
• What STARS service level provides a reliable, minimal function when the primary service level is unavailable?
• Which component is described as the primary data generator for radar simulations used in testing and training environments?
• Which system is primarily used to provide artificially generated radar and inter-facility data for practice?
• What workstation provides status monitoring, system control, and establishes the computer-human interface (CHI)?
• Which of the following best describes the purpose of an airport beacon?
• Which action is taken to ensure airfield lighting and navigation aids remain reliable during degraded weather?
• Which system works with the automation subsystem to provide artificially generated radar and inter-facility message data for test, certification, and training?
• How does Convective SIGMET differ from a general SIGMET?
• Which frequency range does the PAR operate in?
• What is the Localizer's function?
• Which combination constitutes the core radar subsystems in basic operation?
• Which statement best describes fog, mist, and haze in terms of their impact on visibility and RVR?
• What does SCSC stand for?
• Interpret a METAR showing a thunderstorm and a wind shift; what operational implications arise?
• Which routine component calibration step is typically included in maintenance checks for an ILS?
• What is the purpose of runway lighting intensity control?
• What is the purpose of NOTAMs in airfield operations?
• What is METAR?
• Which MSSR component consolidates replies from all reachable aircraft into a single digitized report?
• Define wind shear and explain why it is critical during takeoff and landing.
• Doppler velocity is used to detect rotation in storms by identifying which pattern?
• Which system can look at zero Doppler returns, compare them to a clutter map, and determine whether the video return is ground?
• How does VOR/DME work for navigation?
• What provides Ethernet connection from the MSSR into the site control and data interfaces (SCDI) to interface to the radar control panel at the radar site?
• What does RCS stand for, and why is it important?
• How can radar reflectivity data help identify severe weather cells?
• What is the difference between localizer and glide slope?
• What is the purpose of runway guard lights and when are they used?
• Obstruction lights near airports are used to warn pilots of which of the following?
• What is the difference between DH and MDA in approach minima?
• Moving Target Detection (MTD) is used to determine whether video returns are ground based on what comparison?
• How does Doppler processing enhance weather radar performance?
• Which component is explicitly described as providing data for test, certification, and training in radar operations?
• Name two common aviation weather reporting networks.
• What is the main function of the radar transmitter?
• What improvement do MALSR/ALS provide over ODALS?
• What is a ceilometer used to measure in meteorological observations at airports?
• How many Doppler filters are in the Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR)?
• How does Surface Movement Radar assist with aircraft and vehicle coordination on the airfield?
• What is wind shear and why is it dangerous during takeoff and landing?
• Which component is considered a supporting component of basic radar operation rather than one of the core subsystems?
• Which component provides the operator with an X-Windows terminal displayed at the MCW?
• During a TTSE/SIM exercise, what element schedules and coordinates scenario events and dynamic events such as aircraft clearances?
• What is the role of the localizer (LOC) and glide slope (GS) in an ILS approach?
• Which SOS subsystem provides software support for the site and site-to-site data communication for software distribution?
• Which statement best describes MALSR?
• What is the purpose of NOTAMs?
• What is the final approach course area?
• What is the STARS coverage area in miles?
• How many STARS geographic regions are there in the United States?
• What does SCDI stand for?
• REIL and its purpose?
• How are displaced thresholds and blast pads represented in runway markings?
• Which weather radar products indicate hail and microburst potential?
• Which radar signature, when observed, suggests hail and potential microburst development?
• Which component is responsible for generating radar and inter-facility data for test, certification, and training?
• Which statement best describes the function of an anemometer at an airport?
• Which element provides centralized control of field support and hardware/software development?
• Which radar type relies on cooperative transponder responses to provide identity and altitude?
• How many aircraft can the PAR track simultaneously?
• List common failure modes of airfield lighting circuits and typical preventative maintenance actions.
• RAWS wind information influences runway operations by affecting which decisions?
• ALSF-1 and ALSF-2 configurations are examples of what system?
• What is glide slope, and why is its integrity critical for CAT II/III approaches?
• The Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR) transmitter produces coded pulses up to what power level?
• Which ILS component provides horizontal guidance?
• Which statement about METAR and TAF contents is true?
• What are common error sources in radar altitude readouts (Mode C) and how are they mitigated?
• How many airborne aircraft can STARS track simultaneously within a terminal area?
• Approach minima define safe landing decisions by specifying what?
• How can RAWS integrate weather data with runway operations to support decision-making?
• What is a Convective SIGMET?
• What is the function of the MSSR plot processor?
• How many terminal display workstations (TDW) can the local tower LAN switch support by 1000TBX connections?
• In MSSR, when the operational on-line channel fails, what happens?
• Describe the function and typical location of Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL).
• Approach minima influence decision-making during landing by specifying which element?
• Which three runway lighting systems are mentioned, and in what scenario are they typically used?
• The biggest upgrade Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR) have over older beacon radars is they
• What eliminates second-time-around targets in the Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR)?
• Where are the Primary Surveillance Radar failures reported?
• The STARS Operational Site (SOS) consists of what two subsystems?
• Which ASR-11 beam is the normal radiation beam and is always used to transmit and receive?
• Which statement about LTWD and RTDW is true?
• Doppler aliasing is best described as which of the following?
• Why is distinguishing precipitation type and intensity important on radar for RAWS operators?
• What does a secondary radar system provide that a primary radar does not?
• What is the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and its main components?
• Which statement best describes Doppler velocity aliasing?
• Which alternative pairing best describes the information uniquely provided by secondary radar compared to primary radar?
• How many transmitter amplifier modules does the PSR have in total?
• Which component would you associate with coordinating dynamic events like aircraft clearances in a simulated training exercise?
• What is the Glide Slope's function?
• Which Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR) subassembly develops the radio frequency (RF) sample video for monitoring?
• How does primary radar differ from secondary radar?
• Outline a standard procedure for issuing NOTAMs that affect airfield lighting or ILS during maintenance.
• What is the frequency range of the PAR?
• What is a METAR, and what key elements are typically included?
• How many amplifiers are in the Primary Surveillance Radar transmitter?
• How many columns does the large vertical array (LVA) antenna have?
• Which of the following is a common source of radar clutter on ATC displays?
• Which sources does RAWS rely on for interpretation?
• Which statement best describes the purpose of altitude reporting in SSR?
• Which statement about crosswind effects sits most accurately?
• Doppler velocity aliasing can impact radar interpretation by misrepresenting which of the following?
• Which statement best distinguishes METAR and TAF?
• Which STARS workstation is the "Radar Scope" that permits an operator to track aircraft and provide directions to pilots within the terminal area?
• What function does the Event Engine primarily perform in a TTSE/SIM environment?
• Emergency Service Level (ESL) is designed to provide what?
• What is the purpose of crosswind components in determining approach minimums?
• The local oscillator used by the MSSR receiver is sourced from which subsystem?
• Wind shear presents the greatest risk during which flight phases?
• What is the Plan Position Indicator (PPI) display used for?
• What is the primary purpose of a transmissometer within the RAWS framework?
• Runway Centerline Lights provide what primary benefit during operation?
• How do ILS Category I, II, and III differ in decision height and runway visual range requirements?
• How do PSR and SSR differ in terms of target information?
• In SSR, altitude reporting provides precise vertical position data to maintain safe separation in airspace as which option?
• Explain the difference between controlled airspace radar services and surface movement monitoring.
• What is the primary purpose of radar in airfield operations?
• The acronym CPI stands for what in PSR processing?
• What does a Plan Position Indicator (PPI) display?
• What is the purpose of an airport beacon and when is it used?
• What does high reflectivity (dBZ) indicate on weather radar?
• What is the correct stakeholder action when a NOTAM indicates affected facilities and times?
• What is the major difference between the local terminal display workstation (LTWD) and the remote terminal display workstation (RTDW)?
• The 'M of N' function in PSR serves primarily to eliminate which type of targets?
• During TTSE/SIM exercises, which component handles dynamic events such as aircraft clearances issued by the trainee controller?
• Which condition is described as a dense, low-lying cloud that reduces runway visual range?
• List the main components of an Instrument Landing System (ILS) installation.
• Which MSSR subassembly injects the self-test pulse into each receiver?
• What is the per-tape compressed storage for SSS DAT?
• Which of the following best describes the three core radar subsystems involved in basic operation?
• What is the difference between NOTAM D and NOTAM L?
• Radar Cross Section (RCS) is a measure of what?
• Originally, secondary radar technology was created while developing the radar to
• What is SIGMET?
• Which technique is commonly used to mitigate radar clutter on ATC displays?
• What is the purpose of an Approach Lighting System (ALSF/ALSF-1/ALSF-2, etc.)?
• Two-frequency operation in secondary radar transactions helps reduce which type of clutter?
• What does MTI stand for, and what issue does it address in radar systems?
• Which signal is produced when the MSSR receiver mixes the 1090 MHz with the local oscillator from the receiver interface?
• What is a TAF?
• What is the purpose of ASOS/AWOS in RAWS?
• What element performs hardware and software maintenance, including site adaptation and site support for multiple sites?
• Which type of approach provides only lateral guidance?
• Where are obstruction lights typically found?
• What is crosswind detection in weather radar and why is it important?
• In secondary surveillance radar, altitude reporting provides which benefit?
• Which techniques are used to reduce ground clutter in radar displays?
• What describes ground clutter in radar displays?
• In the PAR, the display is divided into which two sections?
• What is the ILS critical area?
• What does the use of two frequencies in secondary radar transactions eliminate?
• Which term describes the protected airspace around the ILS localizer that must not be entered during approach to avoid interference?
• The Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) forecasts for how many hours?
• Which runway marking indicates a blast pad at the runway end?
• A TAF is a forecast covering approximately how many hours?
• Which device maintains a replica of all required software for restoration of any system processor?
• In SSR, altitude reporting provides precise vertical position data to maintain safe separation in airspace as which option?
• NOTAM D vs NOTAM L difference?
• Which statement best describes a precision approach's guidance?
• How does a TAF differ from a METAR?
• On a weather radar display, what does high reflectivity (dBZ) indicate about precipitation?
• In a TTSE/SIM environment, which element is tasked with scheduling and coordinating dynamic events during an exercise?
• Which statement correctly contrasts surveillance radar outputs with weather radar outputs?
• What is the primary function of the Moving Target Detection (MTD) system as described?
• What is the major difference between LTWD and RTDW?
• Which subsystem is described as working in conjunction with the automation subsystem to supply test data and training data?
• In a METAR, how is wind information reported and in what units?