Practice Test Geeks(ATC) Air Traffic Controller Practice Test
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Airport Operations Flashcards

7 cards from real ATC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Airport Operations flashcards as text

  1. What is the primary purpose of an Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) broadcast?

    Answer: To provide current non-control airport information to reduce frequency congestion

    ATIS continuously broadcasts non-control information such as weather, active runways, and NOTAMs to reduce the frequency congestion on ATC frequencies.

  2. What is a 'hot spot' on an airport surface diagram?

    Answer: A location with a history of runway incursions or surface incidents

    Hot spots are areas on an airport movement area with a history of or potential for runway incursions or surface incidents, identified to enhance pilot and controller situational awareness.

  3. Which of the following best defines a runway incursion?

    Answer: Any unauthorized or improper presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on a runway

    The FAA defines a runway incursion as any occurrence at an aerodrome involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on the protected area of a surface designated for landing and takeoff.

  4. What is the correct phraseology for instructing an aircraft to taxi onto the runway and await takeoff clearance?

    Answer: Line up and wait

    The FAA standardized the phraseology to 'line up and wait' in 2010, replacing the older 'position and hold' to align with international ICAO standards.

  5. What does a steady red signal from the control tower mean to an aircraft in flight?

    Answer: Give way to other aircraft and continue circling

    A steady red light signal to an aircraft in flight means give way to other aircraft and continue circling — the aircraft is not cleared to land.

  6. What is the purpose of an ILS critical area?

    Answer: To prevent vehicle and aircraft interference with ILS signals during low visibility operations

    ILS critical areas protect the ILS electronic signals from distortion caused by large aircraft or vehicles that could cause erroneous course or glide slope indications.

  7. What is a NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions)?

    Answer: A notice containing information essential to personnel concerned with flight operations not included in other publications

    A NOTAM is a notice containing time-critical aeronautical information that may affect safety, including runway closures, outages of navigation aids, and airspace restrictions.