ATC ATC Radar and Technology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym ASDE stand for in airport surface operations?
- Airport Surface Detection Equipment (Correct answer)
- Air Space Data Exchange
- Automated Sector Display Engine
- Aircraft Surveillance Detection Element
Correct answer: Airport Surface Detection Equipment
ASDE (Airport Surface Detection Equipment) is a radar system used to monitor aircraft and vehicles on the airport surface, especially in low-visibility conditions.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System)?
- To provide ATC with enhanced radar returns
- To issue resolution advisories to pilots to avoid mid-air collisions (Correct answer)
- To replace ATC radar in remote areas
- To track aircraft on airport surfaces
Correct answer: To issue resolution advisories to pilots to avoid mid-air collisions
TCAS issues Resolution Advisories (RAs) directly to pilots, instructing them to climb or descend to avoid potential mid-air collisions independent of ATC instructions.
Question 3: What color is typically used on radar displays to indicate a primary radar return (skin paint) with no transponder data?
- Blue
- Green (Correct answer)
- Yellow
- White
Correct answer: Green
Primary radar returns, known as 'skin paints,' are typically displayed in green on older radar scopes, representing raw radar energy reflected off the aircraft.
Question 4: What does Mode C on an aircraft transponder provide to ATC?
- Aircraft identification only
- Aircraft position and identification
- Pressure altitude readout (Correct answer)
- Airspeed information
Correct answer: Pressure altitude readout
Mode C allows an aircraft's transponder to automatically transmit pressure altitude to ATC, enabling controllers to see the aircraft's altitude on their radar display.
Question 5: What is ARTS in the context of ATC radar systems?
- Automated Radar Terminal System (Correct answer)
- Advanced Radio Tracking Software
- Aircraft Route Tracking Station
- Automated Runway Traffic Sequencer
Correct answer: Automated Radar Terminal System
ARTS (Automated Radar Terminal System) is the computer system used at TRACON facilities that processes radar data and displays aircraft position, identity, and altitude to controllers.
Question 6: When a radar target shows a flashing data block, what does this typically indicate?
- The aircraft is in an emergency
- The aircraft is outside radar coverage
- The radar system is experiencing a malfunction
- The aircraft is in a coast or uncorrelated track status (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The aircraft is in a coast or uncorrelated track status
A flashing data block typically indicates a coasting track, meaning the system is projecting the aircraft's position based on its last known position and velocity rather than current radar returns.
ATC ATC Radar and Technology 1
What does the acronym ASDE stand for in airport surface operations?