ATSA Air Traffic Controller Entry 5

Question 1

In the ATSA's memory section, a candidate is shown a list of items and later asked to recall them. This primarily measures which ability important to controllers?

Accepted Answer

Working memory capacity

Answer

Working memory is critical for controllers who must retain aircraft callsigns, altitudes, headings, and pilot requests while simultaneously managing other tasks.

Question 2

What is a 'hold short' instruction in airport surface operations?

Accepted Answer

An instruction telling a pilot to stop and not cross a specific point such as a runway hold-short line

Answer

A 'hold short' instruction requires the pilot to stop before crossing a designated point, most critically a runway threshold, to prevent runway incursions.

Question 3

What is the difference between 'traffic advisories' and 'safety alerts' issued by ATC?

Accepted Answer

Traffic advisories warn of nearby aircraft; safety alerts warn of immediate dangerous situations like terrain or conflict

Answer

Traffic advisories inform pilots of potentially conflicting traffic, while safety alerts are urgent warnings of immediate collision or terrain hazards requiring prompt pilot action.

Question 4

A controller working a radar position loses radar display for all aircraft in their sector. What should the controller do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Notify the supervisor, switch to non-radar separation procedures, and coordinate with adjacent sectors

Answer

Loss of radar requires immediate supervisor notification and transition to non-radar (procedural) separation standards while coordinating traffic with adjacent sectors.

Question 5

Which statement best describes 'visual separation' as applied by a tower controller?

Accepted Answer

The controller visually observes two aircraft and determines they are not a collision risk, or has the pilot of one aircraft visually acquire and maintain separation from another

Answer

Visual separation allows a tower controller (or a pilot who has traffic in sight) to ensure separation without applying standard distance or altitude minimums.

ATSA - Air Traffic Skills Assessment Practice Test

ATSA - Air Traffic Skills Assessment Practice Test

ATSA Air Traffic Controller Entry 5