ATSA Air Traffic Controller Entry 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the ATSA's scan pattern exercise, what skill is being evaluated when candidates must detect a changed value among several displayed readouts?
- Long-term memory
- Visual scanning and change detection (Correct answer)
- Verbal comprehension
- Arithmetic speed
Correct answer: Visual scanning and change detection
The scan pattern section tests the ability to quickly detect changes in a field of data, mirroring the real-world skill of monitoring multiple aircraft readouts.
Question 2: Which phonetic alphabet word represents the letter 'N' in standard aviation communications?
- Nevada
- November (Correct answer)
- Nancy
- Nordic
Correct answer: November
The ICAO/NATO phonetic alphabet uses 'November' for the letter N to ensure clarity on radio frequencies.
Question 3: A TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control) is responsible for aircraft in what general phase of flight?
- Oceanic crossings above FL350
- Ground movement on taxiways only
- Arrivals and departures within approximately 50 miles of the airport (Correct answer)
- High-altitude cruise between major hubs
Correct answer: Arrivals and departures within approximately 50 miles of the airport
TRACON facilities manage the approach and departure environment, typically within a 50-mile radius and up to about 17,000 feet MSL.
Question 4: A pilot reports 'minimum fuel.' What does this declaration indicate?
- The aircraft has declared an emergency and must land immediately
- The pilot is advising ATC that any undue delay could result in a fuel emergency (Correct answer)
- The aircraft has enough fuel for only one approach attempt
- Fuel is at 50% capacity
Correct answer: The pilot is advising ATC that any undue delay could result in a fuel emergency
'Minimum fuel' is an advisory, not an emergency declaration, alerting ATC that the aircraft cannot accept excessive delays without upgrading to a fuel emergency.
Question 5: What is 'progressive taxi' in airport surface operations?
- High-speed taxi to expedite runway occupancy time
- Step-by-step taxi instructions provided by the controller to assist a pilot unfamiliar with the airport (Correct answer)
- A taxi route using only progressive numerical taxiway designators
- Automatic taxi guidance via cockpit display
Correct answer: Step-by-step taxi instructions provided by the controller to assist a pilot unfamiliar with the airport
Progressive taxi instructions are issued incrementally, guiding a pilot turn-by-turn when they are unfamiliar with a complex airport layout.
Question 6: What background is NOT a typical prerequisite for applying to the FAA Air Traffic Controller hiring program?
- Completion of an FAA-approved AT-CTI collegiate program
- Three years of progressively responsible work experience
- Prior military ATC experience
- A commercial pilot license with 1,500 flight hours (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A commercial pilot license with 1,500 flight hours
The FAA does not require a commercial pilot license; eligibility pathways include AT-CTI graduates, veterans with ATC experience, or off-the-street applicants with qualifying experience.
Question 7: On a radar scope, a 'coast track' indicates what about an aircraft's transponder?
- The aircraft is coasting to a stop on the runway
- The transponder return has been lost and the track is being computer-estimated based on last known data (Correct answer)
- The aircraft has switched to a coastal oceanic frequency
- The transponder is transmitting in emergency mode
Correct answer: The transponder return has been lost and the track is being computer-estimated based on last known data
A coast track is a computer-generated estimated position shown when radar contact is lost, based on the aircraft's last known heading and speed.
ATSA Air Traffic Controller Entry 3
In the ATSA's scan pattern exercise, what skill is being evaluated when candidates must detect a changed value among several displayed readouts?