SPC Radio Communications and ATC 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When ATC says 'Radar contact lost,' what should the pilot do?
- Declare an emergency immediately
- Resume standard position reporting procedures (Correct answer)
- Squawk 7600 for lost communications
- Descend to VFR cruising altitude
Correct answer: Resume standard position reporting procedures
When radar contact is lost, the pilot should resume standard position reporting as if not in radar contact.
Question 2: Which phonetic alphabet letter is used to represent the letter 'N'?
- Nevada
- November (Correct answer)
- Niner
- Norman
Correct answer: November
In the ICAO phonetic alphabet, 'N' is represented by 'November.'
Question 3: What transponder code should be squawked when a pilot experiences a radio failure in VFR conditions?
- 7500
- 7600 (Correct answer)
- 7700
- 1200
Correct answer: 7600
Squawk 7600 indicates loss of radio communication, alerting ATC that the pilot cannot receive transmissions.
Question 4: What information does a Pilot Controlled Lighting (PCL) system allow a pilot to do?
- Activate runway lights by keying the microphone (Correct answer)
- Contact ground control automatically
- Request a weather update from the FSS
- Disable ILS glideslope alerts
Correct answer: Activate runway lights by keying the microphone
PCL allows pilots to activate and adjust runway lighting by clicking the microphone on the CTAF frequency a specific number of times.
Question 5: If ATC issues a heading of 'Fly heading 090,' what direction should the pilot turn to?
- West (270°)
- South (180°)
- East (090°) (Correct answer)
- North (360°)
Correct answer: East (090°)
Heading 090 degrees corresponds to due East on a compass.
Question 6: What is the purpose of an Enroute Flight Advisory Service (EFAS), commonly called 'Flight Watch'?
- To provide ATC radar separation for VFR flights
- To relay weather information to pilots in flight (Correct answer)
- To issue TFRs and NOTAMs in real time
- To provide IFR clearances enroute
Correct answer: To relay weather information to pilots in flight
EFAS/Flight Watch provides pilot weather reports and updated weather information to pilots already airborne.
Question 7: Which statement correctly describes the term 'traffic in sight' used in radio communications?
- The pilot sees the runway and is cleared to land
- The pilot visually identifies the traffic ATC has called out (Correct answer)
- ATC can see the aircraft on radar
- The pilot is requesting traffic advisories
Correct answer: The pilot visually identifies the traffic ATC has called out
'Traffic in sight' means the pilot has visually acquired the conflicting traffic that ATC pointed out.
SPC Radio Communications and ATC 3
When ATC says 'Radar contact lost,' what should the pilot do?