ATSA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ATSA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. During the ATC Collision Simulation, two aircraft icons, '3' and '7', are on a direct collision course. What is the appropriate action to take? → Press either '3' or '7' on the numeric keypad.
2. Which piece of hardware is essential for interacting with the aircraft icons during the ATC Collision Simulation? → The numeric keypad
3. Which of the following skills is specifically tested by the introduction of math problems during the later stages of the ATC Collision Simulation? → Prioritization and multitasking
4. A temperature gauge reads -20°C outside. The cabin temperature is +22°C. What is the difference between outside and cabin temperature? → 42°C
5. Can a ground controller approve takeoff for an aircraft? → No
6. An aircraft is 150 nm from an airport and must cross an intermediate fix that is 90 nm from the airport in 15 minutes. What speed must it maintain to the fix? → 240 knots
7. An aircraft calls with an unfamiliar callsign. The controller cannot match it to any filed flight plan. The appropriate action is to: → Ask the aircraft to confirm its callsign and departure point
8. Which of the following runways should be used when the wind speed is less than 5 knots? → Calm wind
9. A controller notices an aircraft's data tag has disappeared from the radar scope. The FIRST action should be: → Attempt to contact the aircraft immediately
10. A controller needs an aircraft to cover 240 nautical miles in 40 minutes. What groundspeed must the aircraft maintain? → 360 knots
11. When building a mental picture of airspace during an ATSA simulation, which information is LEAST immediately useful? → Pilot certificates for each flight
12. An aircraft reports at FL240 but radar shows it at FL230. The controller should: → Query the pilot to confirm altitude and check altimeter setting
13. What is the legal minimum vertical spacing between IFR aircraft below FL 290, measured in feet? → 1,000
14. As the ATC Collision Simulation progresses, how does the difficulty typically increase? → The number and speed of the aircraft on screen increase.
15. True or False: Airport Traffic Control Towers (ATCT) offer VFR and IFR aircraft both preventive and positive control around airports where they are situated. → True
16. During the Numerical Memory and Differences test, what is a critical error that test-takers must avoid? → Calculating the difference between the new number and their previous typed answer.
17. The introduction of arithmetic problems during the ATSA's ATC Collision Simulation is primarily designed to assess which specific cognitive ability? → The ability to divide attention and switch between different types of mental tasks.
18. A clock on the instrument panel shows 14:47. ATC clearance expires at 15:02. How many minutes remain? → 15 minutes
19. A controller is tracking 8 aircraft. Aircraft 3 and Aircraft 7 are converging at FL180. Aircraft 5 is declaring minimum fuel. Which gets priority? → Aircraft 5 minimum fuel
20. A fuel gauge reads 3/4 full on a tank that holds 800 gallons. How many gallons remain? → 600 gallons
21. What ATC words correspond to the letters A, U, P, D, and I in the phonetic alphabet? → Alpha, Uniform, Papa, Delta, & India
22. A new aircraft checks in at an altitude that conflicts with an aircraft already on frequency. The FIRST transmission should: → Issue a traffic alert and altitude instruction before confirming receipt
23. A radar display updates every 4 seconds. An aircraft travels 0.3 nautical miles per sweep. What is its approximate groundspeed in knots? → 270 knots
24. A vertical speed indicator (VSI) shows +1,200 feet per minute. If the aircraft maintains this climb for 4 minutes, how much altitude is gained? → 4,800 feet
25. What is the minimum en route radar separation standard used by FAA controllers in domestic airspace? → 5 nautical miles
26. An aircraft traveling at 450 knots — how many nautical miles will it cover in 20 minutes? → 150 nm
27. An ATSA candidate reviews a radar display with 6 aircraft. Which factor is MOST critical to assess first when scanning? → Aircraft in potential conflict
28. Which of the following describes the primary task in the Numerical Memory and Differences section of the ATSA? → Sequentially calculating the positive difference between the last two numbers shown.
29. The navigational tool made especially for military requirements is → TACAN
30. A tachometer reads 2,400 RPM. If RPM decreases by 15%, what is the new reading? → 2,040 RPM