CPC Aircraft Performance & Systems Knowledge for Controllers 2

Question 1

What does TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) issue to pilots, and how should controllers respond?

Accepted Answer

Resolution advisories (RAs) that pilots must follow; controllers must not issue conflicting instructions during an RA

Answer

Traffic advisories only; controllers maintain full separation responsibility

Answer

Ground proximity warnings; controllers should issue immediate climb clearance

Answer

Altitude deviations that controllers must approve before the pilot acts

Question 2

A pilot announces 'TCAS RA, climbing.' What should the controller do immediately?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the TCAS RA, do not issue conflicting instructions, and clear the airspace above if possible

Answer

Issue an immediate stop-climb instruction to maintain separation

Answer

Transfer the aircraft to another sector immediately

Answer

Issue a traffic alert to all nearby aircraft

Question 3

What is GPWS (Ground Proximity Warning System), and what immediate action should a controller take when a pilot reports a GPWS alert?

Accepted Answer

Issue emergency handling and clear airspace for immediate climb

Answer

Provide terrain information and resume normal operations

Answer

Verify the aircraft's altitude on radar and advise accordingly

Answer

Transfer to military radar for terrain avoidance

Question 4

What does an aircraft's 'V speeds' (e.g., V1, VR, V2) communicate to controllers about departure operations?

Accepted Answer

Critical decision, rotation, and safety speeds that determine abort/continue decisions and climb performance

Answer

The winds the aircraft requires for safe departure

Answer

The airspeeds at which the aircraft must be turned on departure

Answer

Nothing — V speeds are internal crew information with no ATC relevance

Question 5

What is 'engine-out performance' and why does it affect ATC handling of departures?

Accepted Answer

Aircraft climb performance is significantly degraded, requiring special routing and altitude consideration

Answer

Aircraft can accelerate faster with one engine inoperative

Answer

Engine failure always triggers an immediate emergency declaration

Answer

Fuel burn doubles, requiring ATC to shorten all routes

Question 6

What is the significance of 'aircraft category' (A, B, C, D) in approach operations?

Accepted Answer

It defines approach speed ranges that determine procedure turn timing, visibility requirements, and missed approach instructions

Answer

It determines the aircraft's transponder code

Answer

It sets the wake turbulence category for separation

Answer

It indicates the aircraft's fuel type