ATSA Deductive Reasoning Scenarios 3

Question 1

Aircraft A is cruising at FL330. It needs to cross a fix at FL290. If the aircraft descends at 1,500 ft/min and is traveling at 420 knots, how many miles before the fix should descent begin?

Accepted Answer

18.7 miles

Answer

4,000 ft at 1,500 ft/min = 2.67 min; at 420 knots (7 miles/min) × 2.67 min ≈ 18.7 miles.

Question 2

Three aircraft are sequenced to land: Bravo at 5 miles, Charlie at 10 miles, Delta at 15 miles. All are at 150 knots. Standard in-trail separation is 3 miles. Which aircraft pair has insufficient separation?

Accepted Answer

All pairs meet separation

Answer

All pairs are exactly 5 miles apart, which exceeds the 3-mile in-trail standard.

Question 3

A VFR pilot requests flight following. Radar shows the aircraft at an altitude that places it 200 ft below Class B airspace. What should the controller do?

Accepted Answer

Advise the pilot of the Class B airspace floor and suggest a lower altitude

Answer

The controller should issue a safety advisory and inform the pilot of the proximity to Class B airspace.

Question 4

Aircraft on a 270° heading is told to turn right to intercept the 090° radial inbound. What heading should it eventually roll out on?

Accepted Answer

270°

Answer

Flying inbound on the 090° radial means flying toward the station on a heading of 270°.

Question 5

Two IFR aircraft are on crossing routes with no altitude assignment yet. Aircraft A will pass the intersection in 4 minutes; Aircraft B will pass in 7 minutes. Standard time-based separation at an intersection is 5 minutes. Is there a conflict?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they are only 3 minutes apart at the fix

Answer

The 3-minute interval between their fix crossing times is less than the required 5-minute separation standard.

ATSA - Air Traffic Skills Assessment Practice Test

ATSA - Air Traffic Skills Assessment Practice Test

ATSA Deductive Reasoning Scenarios 3