CFC Regulatory Compliance & Air Traffic Control Coordination 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to FAA Order 7110.65, when must a controller issue a safety alert?
- When aware that an aircraft is in a position or altitude that may be unsafe (Correct answer)
- Only when a collision is imminent
- Only when the pilot declares an emergency
- When weather drops below VFR minimums
Correct answer: When aware that an aircraft is in a position or altitude that may be unsafe
Controllers must immediately issue a safety alert when they become aware of any situation that could pose a hazard to an aircraft's safety.
Question 2: The Non-Radar Separation minimum between IFR aircraft on the same route at the same altitude is:
- 5 minutes (Correct answer)
- 3 minutes
- 10 minutes
- 15 minutes
Correct answer: 5 minutes
The standard non-radar longitudinal separation for IFR aircraft on the same route and altitude is 5 minutes, unless a reduced minimum applies.
Question 3: When a pilot reports a bird strike, the controller's regulatory obligation includes:
- Relaying the report and assisting the pilot with any declared emergency (Correct answer)
- Filing an FAA Form 5200-7 themselves
- Issuing a PIREP to all aircraft in the area immediately
- Halting all departures from the affected airport
Correct answer: Relaying the report and assisting the pilot with any declared emergency
The controller relays the bird strike information and provides assistance if the pilot declares an emergency or requires priority handling.
Question 4: Under 14 CFR 91.183, the pilot-in-command of an IFR flight must report which of the following to ATC without being asked?
- Any unforecast weather conditions encountered (Correct answer)
- All fuel quantity checks
- Ground speed every 30 minutes
- Every altitude change
Correct answer: Any unforecast weather conditions encountered
14 CFR 91.183 requires pilots to report unforecast weather, including hazardous conditions, to ATC as soon as practicable.
Question 5: When an ATC facility loses radar contact with an IFR aircraft, the controller must first:
- Attempt to re-establish radar identification and issue non-radar separation instructions (Correct answer)
- Immediately declare the aircraft missing
- Contact search and rescue
- Issue a SIGMET for the area
Correct answer: Attempt to re-establish radar identification and issue non-radar separation instructions
Loss of radar requires the controller to attempt re-identification and apply non-radar separation procedures to protect the aircraft.
Question 6: Which coordination is required before a departure controller can allow an IFR aircraft to climb through the en route center's floor altitude?
- Approval from the en route sector that owns the airspace above the TRACON ceiling (Correct answer)
- Only a notification after the aircraft passes the ceiling
- No coordination if the aircraft is on an instrument departure procedure
- Approval from the facility manager only
Correct answer: Approval from the en route sector that owns the airspace above the TRACON ceiling
The departure controller must obtain prior approval from the en route sector before climbing an aircraft into airspace owned by that sector.
Question 7: The term 'HANDOFF' in ATC coordination means:
- Transfer of radar identification and control responsibility to another controller (Correct answer)
- Transferring flight plan data between facilities via FDIO
- Issuing a clearance to the pilot to contact a new frequency
- Cancelling an IFR flight plan
Correct answer: Transfer of radar identification and control responsibility to another controller
A handoff is the process of transferring both radar identification and ATC control responsibility from one controller to another.
CFC Regulatory Compliance & Air Traffic Control Coordination 5
According to FAA Order 7110.65, when must a controller issue a safety alert?