ATSA ATC Collision Simulation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a simulation where two aircraft are at the same altitude with closing speed of 900 knots, approximately how many seconds does a controller have to act when they are 10 miles apart?
- 40 seconds
- 67 seconds (Correct answer)
- 90 seconds
- 120 seconds
Correct answer: 67 seconds
At 900 knots closing speed over 10 miles: (10/900) × 3600 ≈ 40 seconds — so about 40 seconds, making rapid action critical.
Question 2: A pilot reports 'traffic in sight' after a controller issues a traffic advisory. The controller may then:
- Cancel the IFR clearance automatically
- Issue visual separation instructions based on pilot's report (Correct answer)
- Hand the aircraft off immediately
- File an NMAC report
Correct answer: Issue visual separation instructions based on pilot's report
When a pilot reports traffic in sight, the controller can apply visual separation by instructing the pilot to maintain visual separation from that traffic.
Question 3: Which of the following radar targets would most concern a controller scanning for potential conflicts?
- Two aircraft at the same altitude with diverging tracks 20 miles apart
- Two aircraft at the same altitude with converging tracks 8 miles apart (Correct answer)
- Two aircraft 1,000 feet apart vertically on parallel tracks
- An aircraft climbing through an unoccupied altitude
Correct answer: Two aircraft at the same altitude with converging tracks 8 miles apart
Converging aircraft at the same altitude within 8 miles represent an imminent separation loss requiring immediate action.
Question 4: The 'point of no return' in a conflict scenario refers to:
- The point where the aircraft runs out of fuel
- The last moment a controller can issue a resolution that will be effective (Correct answer)
- The moment TCAS activates automatically
- The boundary of controlled airspace
Correct answer: The last moment a controller can issue a resolution that will be effective
The point of no return is the latest moment at which a controller instruction can be given and still achieve the required separation.
Question 5: In a simulation, an aircraft operating in Class B airspace without ATC clearance creates a conflict. The controller's first action should be:
- File a pilot deviation report
- Issue an immediate vector or altitude assignment to the IFR aircraft (Correct answer)
- Declare an emergency
- Alert the supervisor only
Correct answer: Issue an immediate vector or altitude assignment to the IFR aircraft
Ensuring separation of IFR aircraft from the intruder is the immediate priority before any reporting or coordination.
Question 6: Vertical separation minima of 1,000 feet apply up to what altitude?
- FL180
- FL290 (Correct answer)
- FL410
- FL600
Correct answer: FL290
Standard vertical separation is 1,000 feet up to and including FL290; above FL290, RVSM applies with 1,000-foot separation in RVSM airspace.
Question 7: During a conflict alert simulation, which action represents the LEAST effective immediate response?
- Issuing a descent to the higher aircraft
- Turning one aircraft 30 degrees off course
- Increasing separation by adjusting speed of both aircraft
- Waiting to confirm the conflict on the next radar sweep (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Waiting to confirm the conflict on the next radar sweep
Waiting for additional radar returns wastes critical seconds and reduces available resolution time.
ATSA ATC Collision Simulation 3
In a simulation where two aircraft are at the same altitude with closing speed of 900 knots, approximately how many seconds does a controller have to act when they are 10 miles apart?