ATSA Air Traffic Controller Entry 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the ATSA's air traffic scenarios, a candidate is asked to sequence three aircraft for a single runway. What is the primary factor used to assign landing order?
- Alphabetical order of callsigns
- Aircraft weight category and relative position to the airport (Correct answer)
- Fuel price of the operating carrier
- Departure time from the origin airport
Correct answer: Aircraft weight category and relative position to the airport
Sequencing decisions are primarily driven by each aircraft's relative distance, speed, and weight category to ensure safe wake turbulence separation and efficient flow.
Question 2: What is the squawk code assigned to all aircraft experiencing an in-flight emergency?
- 1200
- 7500
- 7600
- 7700 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 7700
Squawk 7700 is the universal emergency transponder code that alerts ATC radar systems and controllers to an aircraft in distress.
Question 3: A controller issues a 'speed adjustment' to an arriving aircraft. What is the primary purpose of this instruction?
- To save fuel for the airline
- To maintain safe spacing in the arrival sequence (Correct answer)
- To comply with noise abatement procedures
- To match the aircraft's filed cruise speed
Correct answer: To maintain safe spacing in the arrival sequence
Speed adjustments are used to compress or expand spacing between arrivals, ensuring safe separation while maximizing runway throughput.
Question 4: Which document primarily governs air traffic control procedures in the United States?
- FAA Order 7110.65 (Air Traffic Control) (Correct answer)
- 14 CFR Part 61
- AIM Chapter 5 only
- ICAO Annex 11 without modification
Correct answer: FAA Order 7110.65 (Air Traffic Control)
FAA Order 7110.65, 'Air Traffic Control,' is the primary reference that establishes procedures and phraseology for U.S. ATC operations.
Question 5: When a controller clears an aircraft to 'descend via' a published STAR, what is the pilot expected to do?
- Descend at pilot's discretion to any altitude
- Fly the lateral path and comply with all published altitude and speed restrictions on the STAR (Correct answer)
- Descend to the lowest altitude on the chart and hold
- Contact company dispatch for descent clearance
Correct answer: Fly the lateral path and comply with all published altitude and speed restrictions on the STAR
'Descend via' authorizes the aircraft to follow the STAR's lateral course while complying with all depicted crossing restrictions for altitude and speed.
Question 6: What does 'IFR' stand for, and under what conditions is it typically required?
- Instrument Flight Rules; required when flying in clouds or below visual meteorological minimums (Correct answer)
- Initial Flight Regulations; required for student pilots
- International Flight Routing; required for all oceanic flights
- Integrated Frequency Rules; required for radio equipment certification
Correct answer: Instrument Flight Rules; required when flying in clouds or below visual meteorological minimums
IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) governs flight when visibility or cloud clearance drops below Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), requiring navigation by instruments and ATC clearances.
Question 7: An air traffic controller applicant who is 31 years old is applying for an off-the-street hire position. Which statement is accurate?
- They are ineligible because the maximum entry age is 30 (Correct answer)
- They may be eligible if they have qualifying experience or education and meet other requirements
- Age is irrelevant; only test scores matter
- They must first complete military service to be considered
Correct answer: They are ineligible because the maximum entry age is 30
The FAA generally requires off-the-street ATC applicants to be hired before their 31st birthday, making a 31-year-old ineligible under standard rules.
ATSA Air Traffic Controller Entry 4
In the ATSA's air traffic scenarios, a candidate is asked to sequence three aircraft for a single runway.
What is the primary factor used to assign landing order?