ATSA Situational Awareness and Scanning Techniques 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An ATSA candidate reviews a radar display with 6 aircraft. Which factor is MOST critical to assess first when scanning?
- Aircraft with lowest fuel
- Aircraft in potential conflict (Correct answer)
- Aircraft furthest from destination
- Aircraft with highest speed
Correct answer: Aircraft in potential conflict
Identifying potential conflicts between aircraft is the highest-priority task because collision avoidance is paramount in ATC.
Question 2: While monitoring three frequencies simultaneously, a controller hears a pilot report turbulence on frequency 2. The correct immediate action is to:
- Ignore it and focus on frequency 1
- Relay the PIREP to other aircraft in the area (Correct answer)
- Switch all traffic to frequency 2
- Request the pilot repeat the message
Correct answer: Relay the PIREP to other aircraft in the area
A PIREP (pilot report) of turbulence should be relayed to other aircraft in the affected area to maintain situational awareness.
Question 3: During an ATSA simulation, two aircraft converge at the same altitude. The controller issues a turn instruction to Aircraft A. What must the controller verify next?
- Aircraft A's fuel state
- That Aircraft A reads back the instruction correctly (Correct answer)
- Aircraft B's transponder code
- The weather at the destination
Correct answer: That Aircraft A reads back the instruction correctly
A correct readback from the pilot confirms the instruction was received and understood, closing the communication loop.
Question 4: A controller notices an aircraft's data tag has disappeared from the radar scope. The FIRST action should be:
- Wait to see if it reappears
- Attempt to contact the aircraft immediately (Correct answer)
- Declare an emergency
- Notify the supervisor after 5 minutes
Correct answer: Attempt to contact the aircraft immediately
Loss of radar contact requires immediate radio contact to verify the aircraft's position and status.
Question 5: In the ATSA scan test, which technique best helps a controller track multiple aircraft simultaneously?
- Focus only on the most complex traffic situation
- Use a systematic left-to-right sweep of the display (Correct answer)
- Watch only aircraft that have filed IFR flight plans
- Rely on automated conflict alerts exclusively
Correct answer: Use a systematic left-to-right sweep of the display
A systematic, consistent scan pattern ensures no aircraft is overlooked and prevents fixation errors.
Question 6: An aircraft reports at FL240 but radar shows it at FL230. The controller should:
- Accept the pilot's report as correct
- Accept radar as correct
- Query the pilot to confirm altitude and check altimeter setting (Correct answer)
- Report the discrepancy to maintenance
Correct answer: Query the pilot to confirm altitude and check altimeter setting
A 1,000-foot discrepancy requires the controller to verify by questioning the pilot and checking altimeter settings before accepting either reading.
ATSA Situational Awareness and Scanning Techniques 1
An ATSA candidate reviews a radar display with 6 aircraft.
Which factor is MOST critical to assess first when scanning?