ATSA Reading Comprehension Skills 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage reads: 'Wake turbulence is generated by all aircraft in flight. The greatest hazard exists behind and below a heavy aircraft, particularly during approach and departure.' A small aircraft is following a heavy jet on final approach. In which position is the small aircraft at greatest risk?
- Above and ahead of the heavy jet's flight path
- Below and behind the heavy jet's flight path (Correct answer)
- Directly beside the heavy jet at the same altitude
- Above the heavy jet by 500 feet on a parallel track
Correct answer: Below and behind the heavy jet's flight path
The passage directly states that the greatest hazard is behind and below a heavy aircraft, placing the small aircraft in the highest-risk position.
Question 2: A procedure states: 'When a pilot declares an emergency, the controller shall provide maximum assistance, which includes priority handling, direct routing, and coordination with other facilities as needed.' A pilot declares an emergency 80 miles from the destination. What should the controller do first?
- Wait for the pilot to specify the type of assistance needed
- Begin providing priority handling, direct routing, and necessary coordination immediately (Correct answer)
- Transfer the aircraft to the next sector before providing any assistance
- Request the pilot squawk 7700 before taking any other action
Correct answer: Begin providing priority handling, direct routing, and necessary coordination immediately
The procedure requires maximum assistance immediately upon an emergency declaration, including all three listed actions without waiting for the pilot to specify needs.
Question 3: A passage states: 'The term 'immediately' in ATC clearances means the action should be taken without delay. Failure to comply immediately when instructed may create a traffic conflict.' A controller says 'Turn left heading 270 immediately.' The pilot responds 'Roger' but waits 30 seconds before turning. What risk does the passage indicate?
- A potential traffic conflict due to the delayed response (Correct answer)
- A communication error because 'Roger' is not an acceptable read-back
- A regulatory violation because 'immediately' clearances require a full read-back
- No risk, because the pilot acknowledged the instruction
Correct answer: A potential traffic conflict due to the delayed response
The passage specifically states that failure to comply immediately 'may create a traffic conflict,' which is the identified risk of the delayed turn.
Question 4: An order reads: 'Intersecting runway operations are permitted only when the tower supervisor determines that adequate separation can be maintained and all controllers involved are briefed.' A supervisor approves intersecting runway operations but briefs only two of the three involved controllers. Is the condition met?
- Yes, because the supervisor has the authority to determine adequacy
- No, because all controllers involved must be briefed per the order (Correct answer)
- Yes, because a majority briefing is sufficient for approval
- No, because intersecting runway operations are never permitted
Correct answer: No, because all controllers involved must be briefed per the order
The order requires that all controllers involved be briefed; briefing only two of three controllers does not satisfy this explicit requirement.
Question 5: A passage about METARs reads: 'A SPECI is a special observation issued when conditions change significantly, such as when visibility drops below 3 miles or ceiling drops below 1,500 feet.' Visibility was 5 miles and drops to 2.5 miles. Should a SPECI be issued?
- No, because 2.5 miles is still above the IFR minimum of 1 mile
- Yes, because visibility dropped below the 3-mile threshold for a SPECI (Correct answer)
- Only if the ceiling also drops below 1,500 feet simultaneously
- Only if a pilot requests a special observation
Correct answer: Yes, because visibility dropped below the 3-mile threshold for a SPECI
The passage states a SPECI is issued when visibility drops below 3 miles; a drop to 2.5 miles crosses that threshold, triggering a SPECI regardless of ceiling conditions.
Question 6: A manual passage reads: 'A flight plan is considered active from the time of departure until arrival at the destination or cancellation by the pilot or ATC.' A pilot files and departs but lands at an alternate airport without canceling the flight plan. What does the passage indicate about the status of this flight plan?
- The plan is automatically closed when the aircraft lands anywhere
- The plan remains active because neither the pilot nor ATC has canceled it (Correct answer)
- The plan is canceled because the pilot deviated from the filed route
- The plan automatically expires 30 minutes after the filed ETA
Correct answer: The plan remains active because neither the pilot nor ATC has canceled it
According to the passage, the plan remains active until arrival at the destination or cancellation; landing at an alternate without canceling leaves it active.
Question 7: A passage reads: 'Controlled airspace requires ATC clearance for IFR operations. Uncontrolled airspace does not require ATC clearance, but pilots should still file flight plans for safety.' A pilot operating IFR in Class G airspace without a clearance is asked if they violated a rule. Based on the passage, what is the answer?
- Yes, all IFR flight requires ATC clearance regardless of airspace class
- No, because Class G is uncontrolled airspace and does not require a clearance (Correct answer)
- Yes, because IFR pilots must always have an ATC clearance
- No, but only if the pilot filed a flight plan before departure
Correct answer: No, because Class G is uncontrolled airspace and does not require a clearance
The passage distinguishes controlled from uncontrolled airspace, stating ATC clearance is required only in controlled airspace; Class G is uncontrolled, so no clearance violation occurred.
ATSA Reading Comprehension Skills 4
A passage reads: 'Wake turbulence is generated by all aircraft in flight.
The greatest hazard exists behind and below a heavy aircraft, particularly during approach and departure.' A small aircraft is following a heavy jet on final approach.
In which position is the small aircraft at greatest risk?