FEAST Vigilance and Conflict Recognition Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are monitoring four pairs of aircraft in controlled airspace where Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) are applied. The required vertical separation is 1000 feet. Which of the following pairs is currently in conflict?
- Aircraft A at FL340, Aircraft B at FL350, same route.
- Aircraft C at FL280, Aircraft D at FL290, crossing routes.
- Aircraft E at FL310, Aircraft F at FL320, opposite direction.
- Aircraft G at FL360, Aircraft H at FL365, parallel routes. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Aircraft G at FL360, Aircraft H at FL365, parallel routes.
A Flight Level (FL) represents an altitude in hundreds of feet (e.g., FL360 is 36,000 feet). The standard vertical separation minimum in RVSM airspace is 1000 feet. Aircraft G (36,000 ft) and H (36,500 ft) are separated by only 500 feet, which is a violation of the 1000 ft minimum and constitutes a conflict.
Question 2: Aircraft X is 40 NM north of a waypoint, flying directly south at 400 knots. Aircraft Y is 30 NM west of the same waypoint, flying directly east at 300 knots. Assuming they maintain their current altitude, heading, and speed, what will be the outcome?
- Aircraft X will pass the waypoint before Aircraft Y arrives.
- Aircraft Y will pass the waypoint before Aircraft X arrives.
- They will arrive at the waypoint at the exact same time, causing a conflict. (Correct answer)
- Their paths do not intersect at the waypoint.
Correct answer: They will arrive at the waypoint at the exact same time, causing a conflict.
To determine the outcome, calculate the time it takes for each aircraft to reach the waypoint. Time = Distance / Speed. For Aircraft X: Time = 40 NM / 400 knots = 0.1 hours (or 6 minutes). For Aircraft Y: Time = 30 NM / 300 knots = 0.1 hours (or 6 minutes). Since both aircraft will reach the waypoint in exactly 6 minutes, they will be in conflict.
Question 3: A temporary restricted airspace, "Zone Alpha," is active. It is a 20 NM wide square, with its corners at coordinates (40,40), (60,40), (60,60), and (40,60). Which of the following aircraft flight plans will penetrate the restricted zone?
- Aircraft 1 flying in a straight line from (10,50) to (35,50).
- Aircraft 2 flying in a straight line from (50,10) to (50,35).
- Aircraft 3 flying in a straight line from (45,65) to (45,35). (Correct answer)
- Aircraft 4 flying in a straight line from (65,45) to (75,45).
Correct answer: Aircraft 3 flying in a straight line from (45,65) to (45,35).
The restricted zone covers the area where x-coordinates are between 40 and 60, and y-coordinates are between 40 and 60. Aircraft 3's flight path starts at (45,65), which is outside the zone (y > 60), and flies south to (45,35), which is also outside (y < 40). However, its path at x=45 crosses through the entire y-range of the zone from y=60 to y=40, thus penetrating the restricted airspace.
Question 4: Situation: AAL123 is at FL310, heading 090. BAW456 is at FL330, heading 090 on the same route. SWA789 is at FL320, heading 270 on a parallel route 10 NM south. All aircraft are safely separated. What new conflict is created if ATC instructs AAL123 to 'Climb and maintain FL320'?
- A loss of vertical separation between AAL123 and BAW456.
- A loss of lateral separation between AAL123 and SWA789.
- A loss of vertical separation between BAW456 and SWA789.
- A loss of vertical separation between AAL123 and SWA789. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A loss of vertical separation between AAL123 and SWA789.
The instruction for AAL123 to climb to FL320 places it at the same altitude as SWA789. Since they are on parallel routes heading in opposite directions (090 vs 270), they will lose the required vertical separation and be in direct conflict. AAL123 remains separated from BAW456 by 1000 ft (FL320 vs FL330), and lateral separation is not immediately lost with SWA789, but the lack of vertical separation is the immediate conflict.
Question 5: You are monitoring aircraft on a radar display. Minimum separation is 5 NM laterally and 1000 ft vertically. Which of the following situations presents the MOST URGENT conflict requiring immediate action?
- AC111 at FL350 and AC222 at FL350 are on converging courses, currently 15 NM apart.
- AC333 at FL290 and AC444 at FL300 are on the same route, with AC444 6 NM ahead.
- AC555 at FL370 and AC666 at FL370 are on reciprocal (opposite) headings, currently 7 NM apart. (Correct answer)
- AC777 at FL310 and AC888 at FL310 are on parallel routes, separated by 6 NM laterally.
Correct answer: AC555 at FL370 and AC666 at FL370 are on reciprocal (opposite) headings, currently 7 NM apart.
Aircraft on reciprocal (opposite) headings at the same altitude are closing the distance between them at the sum of their speeds, making this the most urgent situation. At only 7 NM apart, a loss of the 5 NM minimum separation is imminent. The converging aircraft are further apart, providing more time to react. The other pairs are currently legally separated and the separation is either stable or decreasing slowly.
Question 6: An airport's single runway will be closed for maintenance in 20 minutes. As the approach controller, you must sequence the final landings. Given the options below, which aircraft should be cleared for the approach FIRST to maximize efficiency?
- Aircraft A: A heavy B747, 10 NM from the runway, established on the final approach course.
- Aircraft B: A medium B737, 12 NM from the runway, established on the final approach course. (Correct answer)
- Aircraft C: A light C172, 8 NM from the runway, flying a wide downwind leg.
- Aircraft D: A medium A320, 15 NM from the runway, but flying 40 knots faster than all others.
Correct answer: Aircraft B: A medium B737, 12 NM from the runway, established on the final approach course.
Aircraft B is the most efficient choice. While not the closest, it is already established on the final approach, requiring no extra vectoring. As a medium jet, it requires less wake turbulence separation for a following aircraft compared to the heavy B747 (Aircraft A). Aircraft C is closest but is not established, which will take time. Aircraft D is fast but too far away to be the most efficient first choice. Clearing the B737 first allows for a smooth, predictable landing followed by another aircraft with standard separation before the runway closes.
FEAST Vigilance and Conflict Recognition Questions and Answers 1
You are monitoring four pairs of aircraft in controlled airspace where Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) are applied.
The required vertical separation is 1000 feet.
Which of the following pairs is currently in conflict?