Salty's Av-Quiz No. 8   
Marfa Lights Landing
by Garen Evans

MIRL = Marfa's Intelligent Runway Lights? What about those other lights? Take a trip to West Texas with Salty and see if you can keep the bright side up on this West Texas IFR quiz.


  1. Is the elevation of the touch down zone higher or lower than the airport's elevation?

    A. Lower.
    B. Higher.
    C. The same.
    D. Unable to tell.

  2. What is the approach course?

     A. 133
    B. 313
    C. 115.9
    D. 7900

  3. What is the significance of the local altimeter?

     A. It's a Class-B system.
    B. It's given only in millibars
    C. Approach authorization depends upon it.
    D. Inoperable after 1700 UTC.

  4. What is the initial approach fix (IAF?)

     A. A radial extending 13.1 nm southwest of the field.
    B. This is only available from Albuquerque Center on 135.875 or 343.6 MHz
    C. Any of the three obstructions north of the field.
    D. MARFA VOR/DME (MRF)

  5. What is the height of the tallest obstruction?

     A. 6895 feet
    B. 6285 feet
    C. 6985 feet
    D. 2658 feet

  6. The minimum safe altitude is 7900 MSL. When can you descend below this altitude?

     A. Within 10 nm of the VOR/DME.
    B. Never
    C. Depends on the weather at Marfa.
    D. When transitioning out of the clouds.

  7. Approaching MRF in IMC on the 261 radial at 21 DME you descend to 7900 feet and the local altimeter setting is available. What's next?

     A. Climb to 15000 as soon as possible.
    B. Descend no lower than 7900 MSL until within 10 NM of MRF.
    C. Contact approach control on 122.8
    D. Have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich - everything is normal.

  8. What is the decision height for the straight-in approach?

     A. What decision height?
    B. 5200
    C. 5260
    D. 5300

  9. On missed approach you climb to 5500, then make a climbing left turn to 7500 direct MRF. What is the likely entry pattern for the hold at MRF?

     A. Backbone
    B. Tear Drop
    C. Direct
    D. Parallel
  10. What are the takeoff minimums for a non-commercial single engine aircraft?

     A. 3 miles visibility.
    B. RVR 1800
    C. There are no takeoff minimums for part 91 aircraft.
    D. They change day-to-day. All non-commercial single engine aircraft must contact ATC for the latest minimums before takeoff
Copyright (C) 2005 by AeroTexas Aviation International