Separation Methods and MinimaAir Regulations — DGCA CPL practice questions
Question 1 of 45
Above flight level 290 the minimum vertical separation between aircraft on reciprocal tracks in RVSM area is
All 45 questions — Separation Methods and Minima
Air Regulations · DGCA CPL. The correct option is marked on each.
Q1. Above flight level 290 the minimum vertical separation between aircraft on reciprocal tracks in RVSM area is
- A.1000 feet up to F410✓
- B.2000 feet up to F410
- C.4000 feet up to F460
- D.5000 feet up to F460
Why: RVSM is the exception, and it has a ceiling. The standard minimum is 1000 ft below FL290 and 2000 ft at or above it — but inside designated RVSM airspace the 1000 ft minimum is extended upward to FL410. Above FL410 it reverts to 2000 ft, so the band in which 1000 ft applies is FL290 to FL410 inclusive. Note the minimum does not depend on the tracks being reciprocal; it is the same figure whatever the relative direction. Reference: PANS-ATM 5.3.2 b)
Q2. The highest flight level that can be flown in is
- A.460✓
- B.450
- C.440
- D.400
Q3. An aircraft is on a track of 030º (M) and reports crossing a point at 0412 Hrs at F370. Other aircraft at F370 on a track of 100º(M) can cross the same point not earlier than:
- A.0422 hrs
- B.0417 hrs if 40 kts faster
- C.0427 hrs✓
- D.0402 hrs
Why: Work it in two steps. First, what geometry? The tracks differ by 70°, so these are crossing tracks, and both aircraft are at F370 — the same level, with no vertical separation available. Second, what minimum? For aircraft on crossing tracks at the same level, 15 minutes is required at the point of intersection. So 0412 + 15 = 0427. The "0417 if 40 kts faster" option is bait from a different rule — the 3-minute same-track concession — which does not apply to crossing tracks. Reference: PANS-ATM 5.4.2.2.1.2 a)
Q4. An ac at F390 crosses a point at 0210 hrs wishes to descent to F310. There is reciprocal traffic estimating to cross same point at 0300hrs maintaining F 330. By what time the descending aircraft should reach F310 if both aircraft maintain same speed?
- A.0215 hrs
- B.0220 hrs
- C.0225 hrs✓
- D.0250 hrs
Why: Two steps again. First, when do they pass? One aircraft is over the point at 0210, the other estimates it at 0300, and both hold the same speed — so they meet midway in time, at 0235. Second, what does the rule demand? On reciprocal tracks, vertical separation must exist for at least 10 minutes before and after the estimated passing time. The descending aircraft must therefore be established at F310, clear below F330, by 0235 − 10 = 0225. Reaching F310 any later leaves the two aircraft inside the protected window. Reference: PANS-ATM 5.4.2.2.3
Q5. Prior to takeoff, the altimeter should be set to which altitude or altimeter setting?
- A.The current local altimeter setting, if available, or the departure airport elevation✓
- B.The corrected density altitude of the departure airport
- C.The corrected pressure altitude for the departure airport
- D.QFE
Q6. If a climbing a/c is crossing the level of another a/c the separation required is
- A.15 NMs
- B.15 Mins✓
- C.20 NMs
- D.5 Mins
Why: While an aircraft is passing through the level of another on the same track, vertical separation does not exist for a period — so longitudinal separation has to cover the gap. The minimum is 15 minutes. It reduces to 10 minutes where navigation aids allow frequent checks of position and speed, and to 5 minutes if the level change is begun within 10 minutes of the second aircraft reporting over an exact reporting point. Note the answer is a time, not a distance — that is what the other options are testing. Reference: PANS-ATM 5.4.2.2.2.1 a)
Q7. Following failure of two way radio communications the pilot should select one of the following on the transponder :
- A.Mode A 7700
- B.Mode A 7500
- C.Mode C 2000
- D.Mode A 7600✓
Q8. Above 30000 ft the vertical separation between aircraft on reciprocal tracks will be:
- A.2000ft
- B.1000ft
- C.1000ft or 2000ft depending on whether or not the aircraft are in RVSM airspace✓
- D.4000ft
Why: This is the properly worded version of the question, and the answer is "it depends". At or above FL290 the general minimum is 2000 ft. Inside designated RVSM airspace, and only for aircraft approved for it, the minimum stays at 1000 ft up to FL410. So 30 000 ft alone does not fix the answer — you must know whether the airspace is RVSM. Reference: PANS-ATM 5.3.2 a) and b)
Q9. Air Traffic Advisory Service is provided in airspace classified as
- A.Class E
- B.Class F✓
- C.Class G
- D.Class A
Why: Class F is the advisory class. In it, IFR flights receive an air traffic ADVISORY service, and any flight receives flight information service on request. Fix the neighbours in your mind and the question answers itself: Class A through E are controlled airspace where IFR flights receive a control service; Class G is uncontrolled, where nobody is separated and only flight information is available. Class F sits between the two — more than nothing, less than control. Reference: ICAO Annex 11 — ATS airspace classes
Q10. At an altitude of 6500 feet MSL the current altimeter setting is 996 hPa. The pressure altitude would be approx.
- A.7500 feet.
- B.6000 feet.
- C.7000 feet.✓
- D.8000 feet
Q11. The altimeter indicates the aircraft altitude in relation to
- A.sea level
- B.the standard datum plane
- C.the pressure level set in the barometric window .✓
Q12. The pressure altitude at a given location is indicated on the altimeter after the altimeter is set to
- A.The field elevation
- B.29.92”✓
- C.the current altimeter setting
- D.the QFE setting
Q13. Q24R. An aircraft is on a track of 030º (M) and reports crossing a point at 0412 Hrs at F370. Other aircraft at F370 on a track of 100º(M) can cross the same point not earlier than:
- A.0422 hrs
- B.0417 hrs if 40 kts faster
- C.0427 hrs✓
- D.0402 hrs
Why: Work it in two steps. First, what geometry? The tracks differ by 70°, so these are crossing tracks, and both aircraft are at F370 — the same level, with no vertical separation available. Second, what minimum? For aircraft on crossing tracks at the same level, 15 minutes is required at the point of intersection. So 0412 + 15 = 0427. The "0417 if 40 kts faster" option is bait from a different rule — the 3-minute same-track concession — which does not apply to crossing tracks. Reference: PANS-ATM 5.4.2.2.1.2 a)
Q14. Q25R. An ac at F390 crosses a point at 0210 hrs wishes to descent to F310. There is reciprocal traffic estimating to cross same point at 0300hrs maintaining F 330. By what time the descending aircraft should reach F310 if both aircraft maintain same speed?
- A.0215 hrs
- B.0220 hrs
- C.0225 hrs✓
- D.0250 hrs
Why: Two steps again. First, when do they pass? One aircraft is over the point at 0210, the other estimates it at 0300, and both hold the same speed — so they meet midway in time, at 0235. Second, what does the rule demand? On reciprocal tracks, vertical separation must exist for at least 10 minutes before and after the estimated passing time. The descending aircraft must therefore be established at F310, clear below F330, by 0235 − 10 = 0225. Reaching F310 any later leaves the two aircraft inside the protected window. Reference: PANS-ATM 5.4.2.2.3
Q15. If an altimeter setting is not available before flight, to which altitude should the pilot, adjust the altimeter?
- A.The elevation of the nearest airport corrected to mean sea level
- B.The elevation of the departure area✓
- C.Pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature
- D.QNE
Q16. The lateral separation reqd. if an A/C is holding at a level
- A.10 NMs
- B.10 mins
- C.5 mins✓
- D.20 Nms
Why: Five minutes is the right figure, though the question calls it the wrong thing. The rule is not a lateral minimum: unless lateral separation already exists, VERTICAL separation must be applied between an aircraft holding and any other aircraft — arriving, departing or en route — whenever that other aircraft comes within five minutes flying time of the holding area. So five minutes is the trigger that forces vertical separation, not a horizontal minimum in its own right. Reference: PANS-ATM 5.5.2
Q17. The Min. Separation above F 290 is:
- A.2000’✓
- B.3000’
- C.4000’
- D.5000’
Why: This question is asking for the general rule: a nominal 1000 ft below FL290, and a nominal 2000 ft at or above it. Keep that as your default. The 1000 ft you may be thinking of applies only inside designated RVSM airspace, and only up to FL410 — an exception, not the rule. Reference: PANS-ATM 5.3.2 a)
Q18. An A/C descending through the transition layer will report its height in
- A.Flight Levels
- B.AMSL
- C.Altitude✓
- D.AGL
Q19. The air traffic service which prevents the collision between aircraft is called
- A.Alerting service
- B.Flight information service
- C.Air traffic control service✓
- D.Air Traffic Advisory Service
Why: Air traffic control service is defined by its purpose: preventing collisions between aircraft, preventing collisions on the manoeuvring area between aircraft and obstructions, and expediting and maintaining an orderly flow of traffic. Compare the three distractors — alerting service notifies organisations when an aircraft needs search and rescue, flight information service gives advice and information useful for safe conduct, and advisory service separates only so far as is practical. Only control service exists to prevent collisions. Reference: ICAO Annex 2, Chapter 1 — Definitions
Q20. Runway direction designator is:
- A.QDM✓
- B.QDR
- C.QTE
- D.QNH
Q21. Minimum transition altitude in for an aerodrome is
- A.4000’ AMSL✓
- B.4000’ AGL
- C.3000 above ground level
- D.3000’ AMSL
Q22. Lateral separation between two aircraft, one climbing and another holding is
- A.10 mins
- B.15 mins
- C.20 mins
- D.5 mins✓
Why: The same holding rule. A climbing aircraft is simply "other traffic" as far as the hold is concerned: unless lateral separation exists, vertical separation must be applied once it is within five minutes flying time of the holding area. Remember it as a protected bubble of five minutes around the hold. Reference: PANS-ATM 5.5.2
Q23. Separation between climbing A/C, which is on crossing track of another A/C is
- A.10 mins
- B.15 mins✓
- C.5 mins
- D.3mins
Why: Same principle as the same-track case, applied where the tracks cross: 15 minutes while vertical separation does not exist, reducing to 10 minutes only where navigation aids permit frequent determination of position and speed. There is no 5-minute provision for crossing tracks — that concession exists only on the same track. Reference: PANS-ATM 5.4.2.2.2.2 a)
Q24. You are descending from F-200 to 12000 over . 13000’ will be reported as_______
- A.Altitude
- B.F 130✓
- C.AMSL
- D.AGL
Q25. Minimum vertical separation in mountainous area for aircraft flying IFR flights is
- A.1000’ with in 5 km radius of the aircraft
- B.1500’ AGL
- C.2000’ within 8 Km of the estimate position of the a/c✓
- D.none of these
Why: The figures are right but the question's premise is not, so learn it correctly. This is not a separation minimum between two aircraft at all — it is a minimum flight altitude for terrain clearance. An IFR flight must not be flown below the minimum altitude established by the State overflown; where none is established, it must be at least 2000 ft above the highest obstacle within 8 km of the aircraft's estimated position over high terrain or mountainous areas. Over terrain that is not high or mountainous, the figure is 1000 ft above the highest obstacle within the same 8 km. Reference: ICAO Annex 2, Chapter 5 — minimum levels for IFR flight
Q26. When approaching an airfield within a TMA the altimeter setting to be used, having passed through the transition altitude is:
- A.Airfield QNH✓
- B.Airfield QFE
- C.Regional QNH
- D.Regional QFE
Q27. The a/c approaching to land at an aerodrome changes its altimeter subscale setting to QNH setting while crossing:
- A.Transition altitude
- B.Transition level✓
- C.Sector safety altitude
- D.Route safety altitude
Q28. An a/c climbing through the transition layer will reports its height in:
- A.Flight Levels✓
- B.AMSL
- C.Altitudes
- D.AGL
Q29. Separation above F410 is:
- A.1000’
- B.3000’
- C.2000’✓
- D.4000’
Why: FL410 is the top of the RVSM band. The reduced 1000 ft minimum applies below FL410; at or above that level the minimum goes back to 2000 ft. The reason is practical — altimetry error grows with altitude, and above FL410 the height-keeping performance that makes 1000 ft safe can no longer be assured. Reference: PANS-ATM 5.3.2 b)
Q30. Vertical separation applicable to non-RVSM aircraft operative in RVSM airspaces is
- A.500’
- B.1000’
- C.2000’✓
- D.4000’
Q31. If a military aero plane flies alongside you and rocks its wings, what should you do?
- A.Follow it
- B.Call on 121.50 MHz
- C.Select 7700 on your transponder
- D.All the above✓
Why: Rocking the wings from an intercepting aircraft means "you have been intercepted, follow me". You are required to do several things, not one — which is why the answer is all of them. Follow the intercepting aircraft's instructions; notify the appropriate ATS unit if you can; attempt radio contact on the emergency frequency 121.5 MHz, giving your identity and the nature of the flight (repeating on 243 MHz if nothing is heard); and select Mode A Code 7700 unless ATS tells you otherwise. Your acknowledgement is to rock your own wings — "understood, will comply". And if radio instructions from anywhere conflict with the visual signals, you keep complying with the visual signals and ask for clarification. Reference: ICAO Annex 2 — action by intercepted aircraft
Q32. What is defined as “A service provided within advisory airspace to ensure separation, in so far as is practical, between aircraft which are operating on IFR flights plans. “?
- A.Air Traffic Control Service
- B.Air Traffic Advisory Service✓
- C.Flight Information Service
- D.Air Traffic Alerting Service
Why: That is the definition of air traffic advisory service, essentially word for word. The phrase doing the work is "in so far as is practical" — advisory service tries to keep IFR traffic apart but cannot guarantee it, because it does not have the full picture or the authority that control service has. That is the whole distinction: a control service separates, an advisory service advises. Reference: ICAO Annex 2, Chapter 1 — Definitions
Q33. Transition altitude at an aerodrome is above _____ Msl in
- A.2000’ AMSL
- B.3000’ AMSL
- C.4000’ AMSL✓
- D.5000’ AMSL
Q34. If an A/C flying at F290 is descending over Palam and its altimeter reads 12000 ft then the pilot will report its height as
- A.Altitude
- B.Flight level✓
- C.On QFE
Q35. Lowest Transition Level in is:
- A.F 40
- B.F 50✓
- C.F 45
- D.F 55
Q36. During an initial climb in uncontrolled airspace, the altimeter setting should be:
- A.The local QNH✓
- B.The local QFE
- C.The Standard Pressure Setting
- D.Any desired value
Q37. Vertical separation in RVSM airspace
- A.is increased
- B.is decreased✓
- C.does not alter
- D.increases between F 290 & 410
Why: Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum does what its name says: it halves the minimum from 2000 ft to 1000 ft between FL290 and FL410, which roughly doubles the number of usable cruising levels in that band. The trade is equipment and approval — the aircraft must hold height accurately enough to justify the reduction. Reference: PANS-ATM 5.3.2 b)
Q38. Enroute flt levels are on:
- A.QNH
- B.QNE✓
- C.QFE
- D.QFF
Q39. Vertical separation applicable to non-RVSM aircraft operating in RVSM airspaces is
- A.500’
- B.1000’
- C.2000’✓
- D.4000’
Q40. While ascending through the transition level and descending through, height of the aircraft shall be reported
- A.Ascending altitude, descending flight level
- B.ascending flight level, descending altitude✓
- C.Ascending QFE, descending QNH
- D.ascending QNH, descending QNE
Q41. The minimum safest altitude that the aircraft can descend below the transition altitude within 25 NMs of an aerodrome area is given by
- A.MORA
- B.MOEA
- C.MSA✓
- D.MOCA
Q42. Transponder code for distress is:
- A.7700✓
- B.7600
- C.121.5
- D.7500
Q43. Outside controlled airspace above 3000’AMSL
- A.Fly on 1013.2✓
- B.QFE
- C.QNH
- D.QFF
Q44. Altitude in transition layer is maintained by setting altimeter to.
- A.QFE
- B.1013.2
- C.QNH✓
- D.QFF
Q45. Track separation ensures:
- A.Vertical separation between aircraft.
- B.Time separation between aircraft.
- C.Lateral separation between aircraft.✓
- D.Longitudinal separation.