ATSA Air Controller Knowledge 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When an aircraft declares an emergency, what squawk code should the pilot set on the transponder?
- 7500
- 7600
- 7700 (Correct answer)
- 7000
Correct answer: 7700
Squawk 7700 is the universal emergency code indicating general distress.
Question 2: What is the minimum radar separation standard between IFR aircraft at the same altitude in en route airspace?
- 3 nautical miles
- 5 nautical miles (Correct answer)
- 7 nautical miles
- 10 nautical miles
Correct answer: 5 nautical miles
The standard en route radar separation for IFR aircraft is 5 nautical miles.
Question 3: Which airspace class requires ATC clearance for all operations, both IFR and VFR?
- Class B (Correct answer)
- Class C
- Class D
- Class E
Correct answer: Class B
Class B airspace surrounds the busiest airports and requires ATC clearance for all IFR and VFR flights.
Question 4: A SIGMET is issued for which of the following?
- Moderate turbulence
- Widespread dust storms below 3,000 feet
- Severe or extreme turbulence (Correct answer)
- Light to moderate icing
Correct answer: Severe or extreme turbulence
SIGMETs cover significant meteorological conditions hazardous to all aircraft, including severe or extreme turbulence.
Question 5: What does the term 'final' refer to in ATC communications?
- The last clearance an aircraft receives
- The straight-in portion of an approach aligned with the runway (Correct answer)
- The point at which gear must be down
- The last radio call before landing
Correct answer: The straight-in portion of an approach aligned with the runway
Final refers to the flight path segment aligned with the runway centerline during an approach.
Question 6: A pilot reads back a clearance incorrectly. What should the controller do?
- Accept the readback if it is close enough
- Issue the clearance again without comment
- Immediately correct the pilot with the accurate information (Correct answer)
- File an ASRS report and continue
Correct answer: Immediately correct the pilot with the accurate information
Controllers must immediately correct any incorrect readback to ensure the pilot has accurate instructions.
Question 7: What does 'ATIS' stand for and what is its primary purpose?
- Air Traffic Information Service; relay IFR clearances
- Automatic Terminal Information Service; broadcast routine airport and weather information (Correct answer)
- Advanced Traffic Identification System; track aircraft transponders
- Air Traffic Instruction Summary; document controller clearances
Correct answer: Automatic Terminal Information Service; broadcast routine airport and weather information
ATIS continuously broadcasts routine airport and weather information to reduce controller workload.
ATSA Air Controller Knowledge 2
When an aircraft declares an emergency, what squawk code should the pilot set on the transponder?