FEAST Air Traffic Controller 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a 'holding pattern' assigned by ATC?
- To reduce aircraft fuel consumption during descent
- To keep aircraft in a designated area while awaiting further clearance or sequencing (Correct answer)
- To separate aircraft transitioning between altitudes
- To allow aircraft to perform weather avoidance maneuvers
Correct answer: To keep aircraft in a designated area while awaiting further clearance or sequencing
A holding pattern keeps aircraft in a defined racetrack circuit while ATC sequences them for approach or resolves a traffic or weather conflict.
Question 2: What does the phonetic alphabet word 'WILCO' mean in ATC communications?
- Message received and understood
- I will comply with your instructions (Correct answer)
- Stand by for further clearance
- Repeat your last transmission
Correct answer: I will comply with your instructions
'WILCO' means 'will comply' — the pilot acknowledges and intends to follow the instruction given.
Question 3: What is the significance of a transponder squawk of 7500?
- Lost communications
- Emergency — general distress
- Unlawful interference (hijacking) (Correct answer)
- Military interception in progress
Correct answer: Unlawful interference (hijacking)
Squawk 7500 is the internationally recognized transponder code indicating an unlawful interference or hijacking situation.
Question 4: What is 'wake turbulence' and why is it a concern for ATC?
- Turbulence caused by thunderstorms near the flight path
- Rotating vortices generated by an aircraft's wings that can upset following traffic (Correct answer)
- Turbulence generated by jet engine exhaust on the ground
- Wind gusts that affect runway surface conditions
Correct answer: Rotating vortices generated by an aircraft's wings that can upset following traffic
Wake turbulence consists of wingtip vortices shed by an aircraft that can cause loss of control in smaller following aircraft, requiring ATC to apply wake turbulence separation standards.
Question 5: What does 'density altitude' affect in aircraft performance?
- Only instrument accuracy at altitude
- Engine power, lift, and propeller efficiency — higher density altitude means degraded performance (Correct answer)
- Aircraft weight and balance calculations only
- Compass deviation and heading accuracy
Correct answer: Engine power, lift, and propeller efficiency — higher density altitude means degraded performance
High density altitude reduces air density, which degrades engine power output, aerodynamic lift, and propeller efficiency, increasing takeoff distance and reducing climb rate.
Question 6: In the event of a runway incursion, what is ATC's immediate priority?
- File an incident report with the FAA
- Issue an immediate alert and clearance to avoid the conflict (Correct answer)
- Switch both aircraft to the guard frequency
- Suspend all operations at the airport
Correct answer: Issue an immediate alert and clearance to avoid the conflict
ATC's immediate priority during a runway incursion is to issue alerts and instructions to aircraft and vehicles involved to prevent a collision.
Question 7: What is the correct read-back requirement when ATC issues a runway crossing clearance?
- Acknowledgment with the aircraft callsign only
- Full read-back of the clearance including runway number and callsign (Correct answer)
- Read-back is optional for runway crossings
- Read-back only if the crossing involves an active runway
Correct answer: Full read-back of the clearance including runway number and callsign
FAA requires pilots to read back all runway crossing and hold short instructions in full, including the runway number and callsign, to verify the clearance.
FEAST Air Traffic Controller 5
What is the purpose of a 'holding pattern' assigned by ATC?