Practical Dispatch Applications practice questions

Answer: A) When the flight arrives at that airport

Under 14 CFR 121.625, an airport may be listed as an alternate only if reports or forecasts show weather at or above the OpSpecs alternate minima when the flight arrives. ETOPS alternates fall under 121.624 instead.

• ACorrect. Section 121.625 requires reports or forecasts to show the weather at or above the OpSpecs alternate minima for that airport when the flight arrives.
• BIncorrect. Conditions at release time do not meet the rule. The weather must be at or above minima at the expected arrival time.
• CIncorrect. Weather at the alternate when the flight departs does not decide whether the airport can be listed. Arrival-time conditions do.
• DIncorrect. Section 121.625 ties the requirement to the time the flight arrives, not to the whole forecast period.

Answer: B) A written notification (NOTOC)

• AIncorrect. It's a written notification.
• BCorrect. Before departure.
• CIncorrect. It's a written notification.
• DIncorrect. It's a written notification.

Answer: A) After being relieved by another qualified dispatcher who takes over the flights

Under 14 CFR 121.465(a), a dispatcher stays on duty until each flight they dispatched has completed or left their jurisdiction, or until another qualified dispatcher relieves them.

• ACorrect. Section 121.465(a) says the dispatcher must stay on duty until each flight they dispatched has completed or gone beyond their jurisdiction, or until another qualified dispatcher relieves them. That relief is why a turnover briefing is needed.
• BIncorrect. In domestic operations, the PIC and the dispatcher share responsibility for operational control. The PIC cannot release the dispatcher from duty by accepting it alone.
• CIncorrect. A flight that has started its descent has not completed its flight and is still in the dispatcher's jurisdiction, so the dispatcher must stay on duty or be relieved.
• DIncorrect. The rule requires relief by another qualified dispatcher. Someone without dispatcher qualification cannot take over the departing dispatcher's responsibilities.

Answer: B) Follow the rules

• AIncorrect. That's for impulsivity.
• BCorrect. They are usually right.
• CIncorrect. That's for invulnerability.
• DIncorrect. That's for resignation.

Answer: B) Honest mistakes are handled without blame, while intentional misconduct and reckless acts are not tolerated

A just culture is a values-centered model of shared accountability. It encourages nonretributive reporting of honest mistakes so that hazards can be corrected, while still refusing to tolerate intentional misconduct or willful disregard of procedures.

• AIncorrect. A just culture is not blanket immunity. FAA guidance says the organization should not tolerate intentional misconduct or willful disregard of established procedures.
• BCorrect. AC 120-92D describes open, nonretributive communication that encourages employees to admit mistakes, combined with intolerance of intentional misconduct and willful disregard of procedures. This is shared accountability.
• CIncorrect. A just culture judges the behavior: honest error versus reckless or willful conduct. The same honest mistake should not be punished just because the outcome happened to be worse.
• DIncorrect. FAA guidance calls for identifying systemic errors and putting preventive corrective action in place. A just culture is a model of shared accountability, not blame on the individual alone.

Answer: B) "It could happen to me."

• AIncorrect. That's for anti-authority.
• BCorrect. Accidents can happen to anyone.
• CIncorrect. That's for macho.
• DIncorrect. That's for resignation.

Answer: A) Favoring information that supports an existing plan

• ACorrect. It can hide warning signs.
• BIncorrect. That reduces bias.
• CIncorrect. That's a normal step.
• DIncorrect. That's good practice.

Answer: A) "Not so fast. Think first."

• ACorrect. It encourages pausing before acting.
• BIncorrect. That's anti-authority.
• CIncorrect. That's invulnerability.
• DIncorrect. That's resignation.

Answer: A) A short strategic nap taken during the covered rest break

FAA FRMS guidance (AC 120-103A) says strategic napping is the only operational countermeasure that meets the need for sleep and reduces fatigue. Caffeine, light, temperature and activity only mask it for a while.

• ACorrect. AC 120-103A says napping is the only operational countermeasure that meets the physiological need for sleep and actually reduces fatigue. It treats strategic naps as a high-priority countermeasure where appropriate.
• BIncorrect. Caffeine can raise alertness for a while, but it only masks fatigue. It does not meet the underlying need for sleep.
• CIncorrect. Bright light and a cool room may help alertness briefly, but they mask fatigue and do not reduce sleep debt.
• DIncorrect. Activity and social interaction give short-term stimulation that fades quickly. They mask fatigue and do not reverse it.

Answer: D) Detect

• AIncorrect. It stands for Detect.
• BIncorrect. It stands for Detect.
• CIncorrect. It stands for Detect.
• DCorrect. The steps are Detect, Estimate, Choose, Identify, Do, Evaluate.