ATSA Air Controller Knowledge 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a 'point out' between two ATC facilities?
- To formally transfer communication to the adjacent facility
- To alert the adjacent controller of traffic that will enter their airspace without a full handoff (Correct answer)
- To request a new altitude from the upstream center
- To coordinate a runway assignment for an arriving aircraft
Correct answer: To alert the adjacent controller of traffic that will enter their airspace without a full handoff
A point out identifies traffic to the adjacent sector that will penetrate their airspace so they can plan accordingly without assuming communications.
Question 2: What is the correct phraseology to instruct a pilot to maintain runway heading after takeoff?
- 'Fly runway heading' (Correct answer)
- 'Maintain runway centerline'
- 'Continue straight out'
- 'Depart runway heading'
Correct answer: 'Fly runway heading'
The standard ATC phrase 'fly runway heading' instructs the pilot to maintain the magnetic heading of the departure runway.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes a 'TRACON'?
- A control facility that manages oceanic airspace
- A terminal radar approach control facility managing arrival and departure traffic around one or more airports (Correct answer)
- A center facility providing en route control above FL240
- A military facility tracking supersonic aircraft
Correct answer: A terminal radar approach control facility managing arrival and departure traffic around one or more airports
A TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control) provides radar services to arriving and departing IFR traffic around one or more airports.
Question 4: What is the significance of a Mode C transponder readout that shows an aircraft 300 feet below its assigned altitude?
- It is within normal altimeter tolerance and requires no action
- It indicates a potential altitude deviation that the controller should query the pilot about (Correct answer)
- The aircraft should be immediately re-cleared to its actual altitude without pilot contact
- Mode C deviations below 500 feet are filtered automatically and can be ignored
Correct answer: It indicates a potential altitude deviation that the controller should query the pilot about
A 300-foot altitude deviation from an assigned altitude warrants a controller query to verify the pilot's altimeter and assigned altitude compliance.
Question 5: An aircraft reports 'minimum fuel.' This means the crew is declaring:
- A full fuel emergency requiring immediate landing priority
- A notice that no alternate airport fuel exists and delay may cause an emergency (Correct answer)
- That the flight must divert immediately to the nearest airport
- That ATC must immediately clear all traffic from the destination airport
Correct answer: A notice that no alternate airport fuel exists and delay may cause an emergency
Minimum fuel is not an emergency declaration but alerts ATC that any undue delay will create an emergency — it requires priority handling awareness.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of the FAA's Safety Management System (SMS) in ATC operations?
- To monitor individual controller performance and issue discipline
- To proactively identify, assess, and mitigate safety risks before they cause incidents (Correct answer)
- To document all near-miss events for legal purposes
- To automate separation in high-density traffic environments
Correct answer: To proactively identify, assess, and mitigate safety risks before they cause incidents
SMS is a proactive framework to identify hazards and mitigate risks before they result in accidents or incidents.
Question 7: A pilot requests a 'short approach.' What does the controller need to consider before approving it?
- Whether the aircraft has the proper avionics for a shortened approach
- Spacing with any preceding traffic and potential runway occupancy conflicts (Correct answer)
- Whether the aircraft type is approved for short-field operations
- The aircraft's fuel state to confirm it can execute a go-around
Correct answer: Spacing with any preceding traffic and potential runway occupancy conflicts
Before approving a short approach, the controller must ensure adequate spacing from preceding traffic and no runway occupancy conflict.
ATSA Air Controller Knowledge 5
What is the purpose of a 'point out' between two ATC facilities?