FAA Communications and Radar Services 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) is the continuous broadcast of recorded information concerning

pilots of radar-identified aircraft whose aircraft is in dangerous proximity to terrain or to an obstruction.
nonessential information to reduce frequency congestion.
noncontrol information in selected high-activity terminal areas. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: noncontrol information in selected high-activity terminal areas.

Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) is a continuous broadcast of recorded non-control information in selected high-activity terminal areas. Its primary purpose is to reduce frequency congestion by providing pilots with routine, essential information such as current weather, active runways, available approaches, and pertinent NOTAMs. This allows pilots to obtain critical data without having to communicate directly with air traffic control for every detail.

Question 2: (Refer to Figure 20, area 3.) What is the recommended communications procedure for a landing at Currituck County Airport?

Transmit intentions on 122.9 MHz when 10 miles out and give position reports in the traffic pattern. (Correct answer)
Contact Elizabeth City FSS for airport advisory service.
Contact New Bern FSS for area traffic information.

Correct answer: Transmit intentions on 122.9 MHz when 10 miles out and give position reports in the traffic pattern.

Currituck County Airport (ONX) in Figure 20, Area 3, is a non-towered airport, indicated by the lack of a control tower symbol. At such airports, pilots use the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) to self-announce their intentions and provide position reports to other aircraft in the vicinity. The recommended procedure is to transmit intentions on 122.9 MHz when about 10 miles out and continue making position reports throughout the traffic pattern to ensure situational awareness among all pilots.

Question 3: TRSA Service in the terminal radar program provides

IFR separation (1,000 feet vertical and 3 miles lateral) between all aircraft.
warning to pilots when their aircraft are in unsafe proximity to terrain, obstructions, or other aircraft.
sequencing and separation for participating VFR aircraft. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: sequencing and separation for participating VFR aircraft.

Terminal Radar Service Areas (TRSAs) are designated airspaces where Air Traffic Control (ATC) provides sequencing and separation services for participating VFR aircraft. While not mandatory for VFR pilots, participation offers enhanced safety by providing radar traffic advisories and separation from other participating VFR and IFR aircraft. This service helps manage traffic flow and reduce collision risk in busy terminal environments.

Question 4: Which transponder code should be used when in DISTRESS or for a general EMERGENCY?

7600.
7700. (Correct answer)
7500.

Correct answer: 7700.

In aviation, specific transponder codes are reserved for emergency situations to alert air traffic control immediately. The transponder code 7700 is universally recognized as the code for a general emergency or distress. Squawking 7700 automatically alerts ATC to an aircraft in distress, allowing them to prioritize assistance and provide necessary support.

Question 5: An ATC radar facility issues the following advisory to a pilot flying on a heading of 360°: "TRAFFIC 10 O'CLOCK, 2 MILES, SOUTHBOUND..." Where should the pilot look for this traffic?

Northwest. (Correct answer)
Northeast.
Southwest.

Correct answer: Northwest.

ATC traffic advisories use the 12-hour clock system, where 12 o'clock is directly ahead of the aircraft. For a pilot flying on a heading of 360° (North), 10 o'clock would be to their left-front. This relative direction corresponds to Northwest, indicating where the pilot should look for the traffic.

Question 6: (Refer to Figure 22, area 2; and Figure 31.) At Coeur d'Alene, which frequency should be used as a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) to monitor airport traffic?

122.05 MHz.
135.075 MHz.
122.8 MHz. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 122.8 MHz.

For airports without an operating control tower, pilots use a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) to self-announce their positions and intentions. This frequency is typically found on aeronautical charts or in the Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD) for the specific airport. At Coeur d'Alene, the designated CTAF is 122.8 MHz, a common frequency for non-towered airports.

Question 7: While on a VFR cross country and not in contact with ATC, what frequency would you use in the event of an emergency?

121.5 MHz. (Correct answer)
122.5 MHz.
122.5 MHz.

Correct answer: 121.5 MHz.

In the event of an emergency while flying VFR and not in contact with ATC, the international distress frequency for aviation is 121.5 MHz. All aircraft and ground stations capable of receiving VHF communications are required to monitor this frequency. Transmitting on 121.5 MHz ensures the widest possible reception and the quickest response from search and rescue or air traffic control.

Question 8: An ATC radar facility issues the following advisory to a pilot during a local flight: "TRAFFIC 2 O'CLOCK, 5 MILES, NORTHBOUND..." Where should the pilot look for this traffic?

Between directly ahead and 90° to the left.
Between directly behind and 90° to the right.
Between directly ahead and 90° to the right. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Between directly ahead and 90° to the right.

ATC traffic advisories use the 12-hour clock system, with 12 o'clock representing directly ahead of the aircraft. Therefore, 2 o'clock is a position slightly to the right of straight ahead. This falls within the quadrant defined as between directly ahead (12 o'clock) and 90° to the right (3 o'clock).

Question 9: An ATC radar facility issues the following advisory to a pilot flying north in a calm wind: "TRAFFIC 9 O'CLOCK, 2 MILES, SOUTHBOUND..." Where should the pilot look for this traffic?

South.
North.
West. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: West.

ATC traffic advisories use the 12-hour clock system, where 12 o'clock is directly ahead of the aircraft. If a pilot is flying north, 9 o'clock is directly to their left. This relative direction corresponds to West, indicating where the pilot should look for the traffic.

Question 10: As standard operating practice, all inbound traffic to an airport without a control tower should continuously monitor the appropriate facility from a distance of

25 miles.
20 miles.
10 miles. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 10 miles.

The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) recommends that pilots operating to or from an airport without an operating control tower continuously monitor and broadcast on the appropriate Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). This standard operating practice should begin from a distance of 10 miles from the airport. This ensures all traffic in the vicinity is aware of each other's positions and intentions, promoting safety in the traffic pattern.

Question 11: The correct method of stating 4,500 feet MSL to ATC is

"FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED." (Correct answer)
"FOUR POINT FIVE."
"FORTY-FIVE HUNDRED FEET MSL."

Correct answer: "FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED."

Standard FAA phraseology for altitudes below 18,000 feet MSL requires pronouncing each digit of the thousands, followed by 'thousand,' and then the hundreds. For 4,500 feet, this translates to 'FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED.' This clear and concise method minimizes confusion and ensures accurate communication in air traffic control.

Question 12: The correct method of stating 10,500 feet MSL to ATC is

"TEN THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED FEET."
"TEN POINT FIVE."
"ONE ZERO THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED." (Correct answer)

Correct answer: "ONE ZERO THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED."

For altitudes at or above 10,000 feet MSL, standard FAA phraseology requires stating the individual digits of the thousands, followed by 'thousand,' and then the hundreds. Therefore, 10,500 feet is pronounced as 'ONE ZERO THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED.' This distinct pronunciation helps avoid confusion with similar-sounding numbers and ensures clarity in ATC communications.

Question 13: Prior to entering an Airport Advisory Area, a pilot should

monitor ATIS for weather and traffic advisories.
contact approach control for vectors to the traffic pattern.
contact the local FSS for airport and traffic advisories. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: contact the local FSS for airport and traffic advisories.

An Airport Advisory Area is typically a 10-mile radius around an airport where a Flight Service Station (FSS) provides Airport Advisory Service. Prior to entering this area, a pilot should contact the local FSS to obtain valuable information such as local airport traffic, wind direction and velocity, favored runway, and altimeter setting. This helps pilots gain situational awareness and integrate safely into the local traffic.

FAA Communications and Radar Services 1

Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) is the continuous broadcast of recorded information concerning