BAvn Bachelor of Aviation Bachelor of Aviation Air Traffic Control 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct phraseology when a controller wants an aircraft to maintain its current altitude and expect a lower altitude later?
- "Descend and maintain, pilot's discretion"
- "Maintain [altitude], expect [lower altitude] at [time/fix]" (Correct answer)
- "Cross [fix] at or above [altitude]"
- "Cruise [altitude]"
Correct answer: "Maintain [altitude], expect [lower altitude] at [time/fix]"
This phraseology advises the pilot of a planned altitude change while preventing premature descent.
Question 2: In a runway incursion, which color light gun signal tells a vehicle or aircraft on the ground to stop?
- Flashing green
- Steady red (Correct answer)
- Flashing red
- Alternating red and green
Correct answer: Steady red
A steady red light gun signal directed at an aircraft or vehicle on the ground means stop.
Question 3: What does the term 'short final' generally indicate to an ATC controller?
- The aircraft is 5 miles from the runway threshold
- The aircraft is approximately 1 mile or less from the runway threshold on approach (Correct answer)
- The aircraft has just been cleared for approach
- The aircraft is on a base leg turn
Correct answer: The aircraft is approximately 1 mile or less from the runway threshold on approach
"Short final" describes an aircraft within roughly 1 NM of the runway, indicating imminent landing.
Question 4: A controller issues a heading of 270 to an aircraft currently on a heading of 090. What type of turn should the pilot execute if no turn direction is specified?
- Always turn left
- Always turn right
- Turn in the shorter direction (Correct answer)
- Continue heading 090 until further instructions
Correct answer: Turn in the shorter direction
When no turn direction is specified, pilots are expected to turn in whichever direction results in the shortest path to the assigned heading.
Question 5: What is the significance of the 'point of no return' concept in oceanic ATC operations?
- The boundary between two ARTCCs
- The point beyond which an aircraft cannot divert to the departure airport due to fuel (Correct answer)
- The fix where radar coverage ends
- The midpoint of an oceanic track system
Correct answer: The point beyond which an aircraft cannot divert to the departure airport due to fuel
Beyond the point of no return, a diversion to the origin airport is no longer fuel-feasible, affecting contingency planning.
Question 6: Which transponder code is reserved for VFR flight when no other code has been assigned?
- 7500
- 7600
- 7700
- 1200 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 1200
Squawk 1200 is the standard VFR code used in the US when a specific code has not been assigned by ATC.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a Minimum Safe Altitude Warning (MSAW) system?
- To prevent runway incursions
- To alert controllers when an aircraft is predicted to violate minimum safe altitudes (Correct answer)
- To warn pilots of severe weather
- To enforce airspace boundaries
Correct answer: To alert controllers when an aircraft is predicted to violate minimum safe altitudes
MSAW is a ground-based safety net that alerts controllers when a tracked aircraft is in danger of terrain or obstacle conflict.
BAvn Bachelor of Aviation Bachelor of Aviation Air Traffic Control 4
What is the correct phraseology when a controller wants an aircraft to maintain its current altitude and expect a lower altitude later?