Salty's Av-Quiz No. 10   
Looking Good in Seattle
by Garen Evans

You'll be looking good alright, and looking out: this quiz tests your knowledge about the stunning Bay Visual Approach to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Though you'll be looking out, you'll also need to keep an eye on the instruments to stay on the descent profile - it's visual, it's instruments, it's IFR in Seattle.


  1. When can this approach be utilized?

    A. Only on weekends.
    B. Only on November 25, 2004
    C. Not before November 25, 2004
    D. As a last resort.

  2. When can this approach be used for landing on runway 34L?

     A. When the ceiling is at least 3100' and visibility is 4 miles or better.
    B. When the aircraft is a turbojet.
    C. Never.
    D. On Wednesday afternoon, or Friday night.

  3. What is the Minimum Safe Altitude?

     A. Not applicable.
    B. 2200 feet
    C. 3400 feet
    D. 6000 feet

  4. What is required to complete this approach?

     A. A good view of the Seattle skyline.
    B. GPS
    C. GPS and RADAR
    D. RADAR

  5. What major roadway runs north-south and generally parallel to runways 16L/R?

     A. SR-520
    B. I-90
    C. I-5
    D. County Road S2199

  6. When cleared for the Bay Visual Approach,

    A. you may see the Space Needle.
    B. you may pass over Bainbridge Island.
    C. you should proceed over the middle of Elliot Bay.
    D. all of the above.

  7. KSEA 111556Z 01016KT 10SM -RA SCT032 OVC050 06/01 A3015

     A. Turbojet and 4 engine turbo-prop aircraft may be vectored over Pugent Sound for a Bay Visual Runway 16L/R Approach.
    B. Turbojet and 4 engine turbo-prop aircraft may not be vectored over Pugent Sound for a Bay Visual Runway 16L/R Approach.
    C. Only turbo-prop aircraft may be asked to calculate a 300 foot descent over Bainbridge Island.
    D. Turbojets must divert to King county Intl.

  8. Three visual checkpoints are:

     A. Space Needle, Golf Course, Boeing Field.
    B. Bainbridge Island, Golf Course, Boeing Field.
    C. Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, Mercer Island floating Bridge, Boeing Field.
    D. None of the above.

  9. Along the visual approach path, approximately how far is it from Hood Canal to SEA R-329?

     A. About 12 miles.
    B. About 19 nautical miles.
    C. Not applicable.
    D. 100 kilometers.
  10. On final approach, what is the correct descent profile for a turbojet with a ground speed of 120 knots?

     A. 75 feet per minute.
    B. 150 feet per minute.
    C. 300 feet per minute.
    D. 600 feet per minute.
Copyright (C) 2005 by AeroTexas Aviation International