ATSA Dial Reading and Gauge Interpretation 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A radar altimeter displays 2,500 feet. The aircraft descends at 500 feet per minute. How many minutes until it reaches 1,000 feet?
- 2 minutes
- 3 minutes (Correct answer)
- 1.5 minutes
- 4 minutes
Correct answer: 3 minutes
At 500 ft/min, dropping 1,500 feet (from 2,500 to 1,000) takes exactly 3 minutes.
Question 2: A fuel gauge reads 3/4 full on a tank that holds 800 gallons. How many gallons remain?
- 500 gallons
- 400 gallons
- 600 gallons (Correct answer)
- 200 gallons
Correct answer: 600 gallons
Three-quarters of 800 gallons equals 600 gallons remaining in the tank.
Question 3: An airspeed indicator shows 240 knots. The aircraft must slow to 180 knots in 3 minutes. What is the required deceleration rate per minute?
- 20 knots/min (Correct answer)
- 30 knots/min
- 40 knots/min
- 60 knots/min
Correct answer: 20 knots/min
The aircraft must lose 60 knots over 3 minutes, which equals 20 knots per minute.
Question 4: A vertical speed indicator (VSI) shows +1,200 feet per minute. If the aircraft maintains this climb for 4 minutes, how much altitude is gained?
- 3,600 feet
- 4,800 feet (Correct answer)
- 5,200 feet
- 6,000 feet
Correct answer: 4,800 feet
Multiplying 1,200 ft/min by 4 minutes gives a total altitude gain of 4,800 feet.
Question 5: A compass shows a heading of 315 degrees. The pilot turns right 45 degrees. What is the new heading?
- 270 degrees
- 360 degrees (Correct answer)
- 045 degrees
- 000 degrees
Correct answer: 360 degrees
Adding 45 degrees to 315 degrees equals 360 degrees, which is due north.
Question 6: A clock on the instrument panel shows 14:47. ATC clearance expires at 15:02. How many minutes remain?
- 10 minutes
- 13 minutes
- 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- 17 minutes
Correct answer: 15 minutes
From 14:47 to 15:02 is exactly 15 minutes remaining before clearance expiry.
ATSA Dial Reading and Gauge Interpretation 1
A radar altimeter displays 2,500 feet.
The aircraft descends at 500 feet per minute.
How many minutes until it reaches 1,000 feet?