ATSA Air Controller Trivia 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym 'ATIS' stand for in aviation?
- Air Traffic Information Service
- Automatic Terminal Information Service (Correct answer)
- Aerodrome Traffic Instruction Summary
- Advanced Traffic Identification System
Correct answer: Automatic Terminal Information Service
ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service) is a continuous broadcast of recorded non-control information to reduce controller workload.
Question 2: A controller says 'Maintain flight planned route.' What does this instruction mean?
- Fly direct to destination immediately
- Continue on the route as submitted in the flight plan (Correct answer)
- Resume navigation after a weather deviation
- Climb to filed altitude
Correct answer: Continue on the route as submitted in the flight plan
This instruction directs the pilot to follow the routing exactly as filed in the original IFR flight plan.
Question 3: Which type of radar display shows weather returns overlaid on aircraft targets?
- PAR (Precision Approach Radar)
- ASR with weather mode (Correct answer)
- ARSR
- ILS monitor
Correct answer: ASR with weather mode
Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) can display weather returns in a weather mode, allowing controllers to see precipitation areas alongside aircraft targets.
Question 4: What is the maximum speed permitted for aircraft below 10,000 feet MSL in the contiguous United States?
- 200 knots indicated airspeed
- 250 knots indicated airspeed (Correct answer)
- 300 knots true airspeed
- Mach 0.75
Correct answer: 250 knots indicated airspeed
14 CFR 91.117 limits aircraft to 250 knots indicated airspeed when below 10,000 feet MSL in the contiguous US.
Question 5: In ATC, what does 'LAHSO' stand for?
- Low Altitude High Speed Operations
- Land and Hold Short Operations (Correct answer)
- Local Airport Holding Sequence Order
- Landing Aid Horizontal Separation Override
Correct answer: Land and Hold Short Operations
LAHSO (Land and Hold Short Operations) allows aircraft to land and stop before a specific intersection or crossing runway to increase airport capacity.
Question 6: When a controller issues a 'traffic alert,' what action is expected of the pilot?
- Climb immediately to 10,000 feet
- Acknowledge and take evasive action as needed (Correct answer)
- Contact the next sector immediately
- Squawk 7700
Correct answer: Acknowledge and take evasive action as needed
A traffic alert advises the pilot of nearby conflicting traffic and implies they should take whatever action necessary to maintain safe separation.
Question 7: What color are the obstruction lights required on towers over 200 feet AGL in the United States?
- White strobe only
- Red (steady or flashing) (Correct answer)
- Amber flashing
- Green steady
Correct answer: Red (steady or flashing)
FAA regulations require red obstruction lighting (steady or flashing red) on towers exceeding 200 feet AGL to warn pilots of hazards.
ATSA Air Controller Trivia 3
What does the acronym 'ATIS' stand for in aviation?