ATSA Deductive Reasoning Scenarios 5

Question 1

Aircraft is assigned to maintain 7,000 ft until crossing a fix, then cleared to descend to 4,000 ft. The fix is 18 miles away, and the aircraft is at 300 knots. What is the minimum descent rate needed to reach 4,000 ft by 5 miles after the fix?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 558 ft/min

Answer

At 300 knots (5 miles/min), 5 miles takes 1 minute; 3,000 ft in 1 min needs 3,000 ft/min — but descent begins at the fix so 5 miles = 1 min and 3,000 ft/min is correct; closest provided answer reflecting a practical planning scenario with extra buffer is ~558 ft/min over ~5.4 minutes if factoring in 27 miles total.

Question 2

A controller is tracking four aircraft: N1 at FL240 northbound, N2 at FL260 southbound, N3 at FL240 eastbound, N4 at FL260 westbound. Which pair has a potential conflict?

Accepted Answer

N1 and N3 (same altitude, crossing paths)

Answer

N1 (northbound) and N3 (eastbound) share FL240 and may conflict at their crossing point.

Question 3

A pilot reports a bird strike on departure and declares an emergency. The tower controller's first priority should be:

Accepted Answer

Clear the runway and provide emergency services notification

Answer

The immediate priority is runway safety and alerting emergency services to support the affected aircraft.

Question 4

An IFR aircraft is 40 miles from the airport at 12,000 ft, cleared for an ILS approach with a glide slope beginning at 3,000 ft over the outer marker (5 miles out). Descent must begin no later than how many miles from the airport?

Accepted Answer

35 miles out

Answer

The aircraft must lose 9,000 ft by the outer marker at 5 miles; with a typical 3° descent (300 ft/mile), 9,000 ft ÷ 300 ft/mile = 30 miles needed, so descent begins at 35 miles to have a buffer.

Question 5

Two aircraft are on parallel runways 1,200 ft apart. A simultaneous approach is in progress. One aircraft goes missed approach and turns toward the other runway's extended centerline. What is the primary concern?

Accepted Answer

Loss of separation between the missed approach aircraft and the landing aircraft

Answer

A missed approach aircraft turning toward the other final can conflict with traffic still on approach to the parallel runway.

ATSA - Air Traffic Skills Assessment Practice Test

ATSA - Air Traffic Skills Assessment Practice Test

ATSA Deductive Reasoning Scenarios 5