ATC Multitasking Simulation Flashcards
6 cards from real FEAST practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 ATC Multitasking Simulation flashcards as text
You are managing four aircraft simultaneously. UAL22 is climbing through FL180, BAW5 needs a frequency change, DLH7 has requested descent, and AAL9 is awaiting push-back clearance. Which task should you address first?
Answer: DLH7's descent request, as a conflicting aircraft may be at their requested level
Airborne separation conflicts take priority. An uncoordinated descent could place DLH7 in conflict with other traffic, making it the highest-priority task.
While issuing a heading change to one aircraft and monitoring a second on radar, a third aircraft calls with an urgent message you catch only partially. The correct first action is to:
Answer: Acknowledge the urgent call and ask the aircraft to say again
An urgent partially-heard transmission must be acknowledged immediately and the aircraft asked to repeat, as it may be a safety-critical message.
You have just issued a speed restriction to Aircraft A when Aircraft B calls with a position report. Simultaneously, an STCA alert activates for Aircraft C. You should:
Answer: Address the STCA alert for Aircraft C immediately as it indicates a potential collision
An STCA (Short-Term Conflict Alert) is a safety-critical automated warning requiring immediate controller attention above all other tasks.
A controller manages two sectors temporarily combined. The sector has 12 aircraft. Tasks pending: update a flight progress strip, coordinate with adjacent sector, answer a pilot's query, and monitor an aircraft approaching an altitude limit. What is the correct order of priority?
Answer: Monitor the altitude limit → coordinate with adjacent sector → answer pilot query → update strip
An approaching altitude limit is a separation risk and takes priority, followed by inter-sector coordination (affecting other traffic), then pilot query, then administrative strip update.
During a busy period, you receive three simultaneous tasks: (A) a pilot requesting IFR clearance amendment, (B) a ground vehicle requesting clearance to cross active runway, (C) a handoff instruction from the radar controller. Which task must be resolved first?
Answer: Task B — a ground vehicle on an active runway poses an immediate collision risk
A ground vehicle on an active runway is an immediate safety hazard that must be resolved before other tasks, as it directly risks runway incursion.
You are simultaneously monitoring aircraft at FL350 and FL370, when both aircraft call within seconds of each other. Aircraft at FL350 reports a technical problem; aircraft at FL370 requests a higher level. You should:
Answer: Address the technical problem at FL350 first as it may affect the aircraft's capability to maintain altitude
A technical problem affecting an aircraft's ability to maintain altitude can directly impact separation with other traffic and must be assessed first.