ATSA Air Controller Trivia 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the name of the FAA program that uses satellite-based navigation to provide precision approach capability at airports without ILS?
- VOR/DME approach
- LPV (Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance) via WAAS (Correct answer)
- ASR approach
- NDB approach
Correct answer: LPV (Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance) via WAAS
LPV approaches use the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) to provide GPS-based precision approach capability comparable to ILS Cat I.
Question 2: In ATC, what does the phrase 'resume own navigation' mean?
- Declare a navigation emergency
- Discontinue the radar vector and proceed as cleared or on flight plan (Correct answer)
- Climb to VFR altitude
- Switch to advisory frequency
Correct answer: Discontinue the radar vector and proceed as cleared or on flight plan
When a controller says 'resume own navigation,' the pilot should stop following radar headings and return to flying their filed route or last assigned routing.
Question 3: Which organization sets global standards for air traffic management procedures and phraseology adopted by most countries?
- FAA
- NTSB
- ICAO (Correct answer)
- IATA
Correct answer: ICAO
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) establishes global standards and recommended practices for ATC procedures and phraseology.
Question 4: What is a 'conflict alert' on an ATC radar display?
- An alarm when an aircraft enters restricted airspace
- An automated warning that two aircraft tracks project to come within minimum separation (Correct answer)
- A manual flag placed by the controller on a data block
- An alert when fuel emergency is declared
Correct answer: An automated warning that two aircraft tracks project to come within minimum separation
Conflict alerts are automated computer warnings triggered when two aircraft are projected to violate separation minima within a specified time window.
Question 5: What is the minimum visibility required for aircraft operations in Class B airspace under VFR?
- 1 statute mile
- 3 statute miles (Correct answer)
- 5 statute miles
- Clear of clouds only
Correct answer: 3 statute miles
VFR flight in Class B airspace requires a minimum of 3 statute miles visibility and the aircraft must remain clear of clouds.
Question 6: An aircraft is cleared for the 'option.' What maneuvers may the pilot perform?
- A stop-and-go landing only
- Any of: touch-and-go, low approach, missed approach, stop-and-go, or full stop landing (Correct answer)
- A low approach followed by immediate climb only
- A practice ILS approach only
Correct answer: Any of: touch-and-go, low approach, missed approach, stop-and-go, or full stop landing
A clearance for 'the option' gives the pilot flexibility to execute any of five approach endings: touch-and-go, low approach, missed approach, stop-and-go, or full stop.
Question 7: What is the purpose of a Runway Incursion Prevention program at airports?
- To reduce jet blast incidents near terminals
- To prevent unauthorized or unsafe entries onto active runways (Correct answer)
- To control bird strikes near the runway environment
- To manage fuel truck routing on the ramp
Correct answer: To prevent unauthorized or unsafe entries onto active runways
Runway incursion prevention programs focus on eliminating unauthorized aircraft, vehicle, or person entries onto active runways, one of aviation's highest risk events.
ATSA Air Controller Trivia 5
What is the name of the FAA program that uses satellite-based navigation to provide precision approach capability at airports without ILS?