ATSA Air Controller Knowledge 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What squawk code indicates radio communication failure?
- 7500
- 7600 (Correct answer)
- 7700
- 7200
Correct answer: 7600
Squawk 7600 signals that the aircraft has lost radio communication.
Question 2: Which factor does NOT affect the size of a wake turbulence vortex?
- Aircraft weight
- Aircraft speed
- Aircraft paint color (Correct answer)
- Wing configuration
Correct answer: Aircraft paint color
Wake turbulence vortex strength is determined by weight, speed, and configuration — not paint color.
Question 3: What is the standard altitude assignment increment between IFR aircraft at cruising altitude above FL290 under RVSM?
- 500 feet
- 1,000 feet (Correct answer)
- 2,000 feet
- 4,000 feet
Correct answer: 1,000 feet
RVSM allows 1,000-foot vertical separation between FL290 and FL410 for properly equipped aircraft.
Question 4: A controller issues a speed adjustment to an aircraft on final approach. What is the primary reason for this?
- To meet noise abatement requirements
- To sequence and maintain spacing between landing aircraft (Correct answer)
- To satisfy pilot preference
- To conserve fuel
Correct answer: To sequence and maintain spacing between landing aircraft
Speed adjustments on final are used to maintain proper spacing between sequenced landing aircraft.
Question 5: What does 'PIREP' stand for?
- Pilot In-Route Emergency Procedure
- Pilot Report (Correct answer)
- Pre-departure Instrument Route Evaluation Plan
- Precision Instrument Route Entry Point
Correct answer: Pilot Report
A PIREP is a Pilot Report, providing real-time weather information observed by the flight crew.
Question 6: What is the primary hazard that controllers must account for when an aircraft reports a bird strike?
- Airframe decompression at cruise altitude
- Potential engine damage or loss of engine power (Correct answer)
- Loss of navigation equipment only
- Bird debris on the runway used by other aircraft
Correct answer: Potential engine damage or loss of engine power
Bird strikes can cause engine ingestion and damage, potentially leading to loss of engine power.
Question 7: Which type of approach provides both lateral and vertical guidance to the runway?
- VOR approach
- NDB approach
- ILS approach (Correct answer)
- LOC approach
Correct answer: ILS approach
The ILS provides both localizer (lateral) and glide slope (vertical) guidance to the runway.
ATSA Air Controller Knowledge 3
What squawk code indicates radio communication failure?