← All explained questions · Airports, Runways, Signs, Markings and Lighting

At a tower-controlled airport, a rotating beacon operating during daylight hours signals what?

Choices

  • The tower is closed

    A daytime beacon relates to weather, not tower status.

  • ✓ The ceiling is below 1,000 feet or visibility below 3 milescorrect

    A daytime beacon at a towered field warns that basic VFR weather does not exist.

  • The airport is closed to all traffic

    A beacon does not indicate an airport closure.

  • A runway is under construction

    Construction is shown by other markings and NOTAMs.

Why

At a tower-controlled airport a beacon operating in daylight indicates the weather is below basic VFR (ceiling below 1,000 feet or visibility below 3 miles), so a clearance may be required to operate.

FAA source: AIM 2-1-9browse the reference library →

This is taught in Beacons, Lighting and Glideslope Aids — study the lessons free, then practice with grading and mastery tracking.

Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.

At a tower-controlled airport, a rotating beacon operating during day… · PPL Free Ground School