CPC Air Traffic Control Procedures & Regulations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the standard VFR cruising altitude for an aircraft flying a magnetic course of 200 degrees at 9,500 feet?
- 9,500 feet MSL
- 9,000 feet MSL (Correct answer)
- 10,500 feet MSL
- 10,000 feet MSL
Correct answer: 9,000 feet MSL
For magnetic courses 180–359 degrees (southerly), VFR cruising altitudes are even thousands plus 500 feet (e.g., 8,500, 10,500), but 9,000 applies below the odd-plus-500 rule for southbound flights.
Question 2: What phraseology does ATC use to instruct a pilot to maintain their current altitude until reaching a specific fix, then descend?
- Descend and maintain
- Cross [fix] at [altitude], then descend and maintain
- Maintain [altitude] until [fix], then descend (Correct answer)
- Cleared to [fix] via descent
Correct answer: Maintain [altitude] until [fix], then descend
ATC uses 'Maintain [altitude] until [fix], then descend and maintain [altitude]' to instruct altitude restrictions tied to a specific point.
Question 3: Under the FAA's Runway Incursion Prevention program, what is a Category A runway incursion?
- An incursion where a collision narrowly was avoided requiring immediate action (Correct answer)
- A minor incident with no actual collision potential
- An incursion occurring in low visibility only
- An aircraft operating on a taxiway without authorization
Correct answer: An incursion where a collision narrowly was avoided requiring immediate action
A Category A runway incursion is the most serious — it involves a separation requirement that results in a collision narrowly being avoided.
Question 4: What does a steady red light signal from the control tower mean to an aircraft in flight?
- Return to start — airport unsafe
- Give way to other aircraft and continue circling
- Continue circling; airport unsafe, do not land (Correct answer)
- Land immediately — emergency
Correct answer: Continue circling; airport unsafe, do not land
A steady red light signal to an aircraft in flight means the airport is unsafe and the pilot should not land while continuing to circle.
Question 5: Which segment of an instrument approach procedure begins at the final approach fix (FAF) and ends at the missed approach point (MAP)?
- Initial approach segment
- Intermediate approach segment
- Final approach segment (Correct answer)
- Missed approach segment
Correct answer: Final approach segment
The final approach segment begins at the FAF and ends at the MAP, during which the pilot aligns with and descends toward the runway.
Question 6: When ATC assigns an altitude with the word 'interim' (e.g., 'Climb and maintain flight level 240 as an interim altitude'), it means:
- The altitude is the final assigned altitude for the flight
- A higher altitude is expected but not yet available; the aircraft should expect further climb (Correct answer)
- The aircraft should climb at maximum continuous thrust
- The altitude is below the MEA and must be corrected
Correct answer: A higher altitude is expected but not yet available; the aircraft should expect further climb
An interim altitude indicates a temporary assignment used until the pilot can be cleared to a higher altitude as traffic and airspace permit.
Question 7: What is the maximum airspeed for aircraft operating within a Class C airspace surface area?
- 200 knots indicated airspeed (Correct answer)
- 250 knots indicated airspeed
- 180 knots indicated airspeed
- No speed limit applies in Class C airspace
Correct answer: 200 knots indicated airspeed
FAR 91.117 limits aircraft speed to 200 KIAS in Class C airspace surface areas to promote safety around busy terminal airports.
CPC Air Traffic Control Procedures & Regulations 3
What is the standard VFR cruising altitude for an aircraft flying a magnetic course of 200 degrees at 9,500 feet?