ATSA Air Controller Trivia 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which FAA facility type provides en route air traffic control services to aircraft flying between airports at high altitudes?
- TRACON
- ARTCC (Correct answer)
- ATCT
- FSDO
Correct answer: ARTCC
Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) manage en route traffic in the continental US airspace above low-altitude sectors.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information) in ATC operations?
- To clear aircraft for IFR approaches
- To warn of hazardous weather affecting all aircraft (Correct answer)
- To issue runway change advisories
- To notify pilots of NOTAM updates
Correct answer: To warn of hazardous weather affecting all aircraft
SIGMETs warn pilots of significant meteorological conditions such as severe turbulence, icing, or volcanic ash that could endanger aircraft.
Question 3: In the phonetic alphabet used in aviation, what word represents the letter 'W'?
- Whiskey (Correct answer)
- William
- Warrior
- Waltz
Correct answer: Whiskey
The ICAO phonetic alphabet uses 'Whiskey' for the letter W to ensure clarity in radio communications.
Question 4: What does the term 'NORDO' mean in air traffic control?
- Normal departure operations
- No radio contact with an aircraft (Correct answer)
- North departure routing order
- Non-radar departure operations
Correct answer: No radio contact with an aircraft
NORDO refers to an aircraft that has lost radio communication, requiring controllers to use light gun signals or other alternate methods.
Question 5: Which class of airspace in the United States requires an ATC clearance to enter even in VMC?
- Class D
- Class E
- Class B (Correct answer)
- Class G
Correct answer: Class B
Class B airspace, surrounding the nation's busiest airports, requires an explicit ATC clearance before entry regardless of weather conditions.
Question 6: What is the standard separation minima between IFR aircraft at the same altitude in non-radar en route airspace?
- 3 nautical miles
- 5 nautical miles
- 80 nautical miles (Correct answer)
- 3 minutes
Correct answer: 80 nautical miles
In non-radar en route airspace, the standard lateral separation between IFR aircraft at the same altitude is 80 nautical miles when using VOR-defined routes.
Question 7: What phrase must a pilot say when acknowledging a hold-short instruction at a runway?
- Roger, hold short
- Affirmative
- Read back the full instruction including the hold-short point (Correct answer)
- Wilco
Correct answer: Read back the full instruction including the hold-short point
FAA regulations require pilots to read back hold-short instructions in full, including the specific hold-short point, to confirm understanding.
ATSA Air Controller Trivia 2
Which FAA facility type provides en route air traffic control services to aircraft flying between airports at high altitudes?