FEAST Air Traffic Controller Knowledge 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'ATIS' stand for in aviation communications?
- Automated Terminal Information Service (Correct answer)
- Air Traffic Identification System
- Aircraft Tracking and Inspection Standard
- Approach Terminal Intercept Signal
Correct answer: Automated Terminal Information Service
ATIS (Automated Terminal Information Service) broadcasts continuous recordings of airport weather and NOTAMs to reduce controller workload.
Question 2: When an aircraft is instructed to 'hold short of runway 27,' the pilot must:
- Stop before reaching the runway 27 hold short markings (Correct answer)
- Cross runway 27 and stop on the opposite side
- Hold at the approach end of runway 27
- Reduce speed to taxi pace until reaching runway 27
Correct answer: Stop before reaching the runway 27 hold short markings
Hold short instructions require the aircraft to stop before the painted hold short markings, never entering the runway.
Question 3: Which radar mode provides both aircraft position and altitude information to controllers?
- Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) (Correct answer)
- Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR)
- Approach Surveillance Radar (ASR)
- Precision Approach Radar (PAR)
Correct answer: Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR)
Secondary Surveillance Radar interrogates aircraft transponders to obtain identity and altitude data in addition to position.
Question 4: What is the standard IFR separation minimum between aircraft at the same altitude in radar contact?
- 3 nautical miles (Correct answer)
- 5 nautical miles
- 1 nautical mile
- 500 feet vertical
Correct answer: 3 nautical miles
FAA standards require a minimum of 3 nautical miles lateral separation for IFR aircraft within 40 NM of a radar antenna.
Question 5: A pilot declares an emergency by squawking transponder code:
- 7700 (Correct answer)
- 7600
- 7500
- 1200
Correct answer: 7700
Squawk 7700 is the universal emergency code that alerts ATC and triggers alarms on radar displays.
Question 6: What is a 'SIGMET' used for in aviation?
- Significant meteorological information affecting aircraft safety (Correct answer)
- Signal metric for radar calibration
- Standard instrument approach chart notation
- Secondary guidance for missed approaches
Correct answer: Significant meteorological information affecting aircraft safety
SIGMETs warn pilots and controllers of significant en route meteorological conditions hazardous to all aircraft.
Question 7: When two aircraft are converging at the same altitude, which has the right of way?
- The aircraft to the other's right (Correct answer)
- The aircraft to the other's left
- The higher-speed aircraft
- The aircraft with the lower altitude transponder code
Correct answer: The aircraft to the other's right
FAR 91.113 states that when aircraft converge at the same altitude, each pilot shall give way to the aircraft on their right.
FEAST Air Traffic Controller Knowledge 2
What does the term 'ATIS' stand for in aviation communications?