Air Law and ATC Procedures - Level 3
Questions and Answers Latest Version
Graded A+
When must a pilot read back an ATC clearance?
✔✔ Whenever ATC issues an instruction that affects altitude, heading, speed, or runway usage.
What phrase does a pilot use to indicate they are experiencing a distress situation?
✔✔ Mayday, repeated three times.
What should a pilot do if they lose radio communication in controlled airspace?
✔✔ Follow the last ATC clearance received, squawk 7600, and attempt to reestablish
communication.
How does a pilot acknowledge a light signal from the control tower if the radio is inoperative?
✔✔ By rocking the aircraft's wings during the day or flashing landing lights at night.
What is the meaning of a flashing green light from the control tower to an aircraft on the ground?
✔✔ The aircraft is cleared to taxi.
1
,What should a pilot do if ATC instructs them to “expedite” a maneuver?
✔✔ Comply as quickly and safely as possible within operational limitations.
When must a pilot request clearance before entering controlled airspace?
✔✔ Before entering Class A, B, C, or D airspace.
What is the standard separation between IFR aircraft at cruising altitude?
✔✔ It varies based on ATC radar capability and flight level but is typically 1,000 feet vertically
or 5 nautical miles horizontally.
How does ATC identify an aircraft using a transponder?
✔✔ By assigning a unique squawk code and confirming radar contact.
What must a pilot do if they receive an ATC instruction that they cannot safely comply with?
✔✔ Inform ATC immediately and request an alternative clearance.
What is the standard phrase used by ATC to instruct an aircraft to stop immediately?
2
,✔✔ STOP IMMEDIATELY.
What should a pilot do if they are unsure about an ATC instruction?
✔✔ Request clarification from ATC before taking any action.
How can a pilot indicate an emergency if the radio is inoperative?
✔✔ Set the transponder to squawk 7700 and use light signals if in view of the tower.
What does ATC expect from a pilot when they issue a clearance for a visual approach?
✔✔ The pilot must maintain visual contact with the airport and traffic ahead.
When does an ATC clearance become effective?
✔✔ When the pilot acknowledges and complies with the instruction.
What should a pilot do if an aircraft ahead generates significant wake turbulence?
✔✔ Maintain adequate separation and adjust altitude to avoid wake turbulence effects.
How does ATC communicate to an aircraft that it is identified on radar?
3
, ✔✔ By stating "radar contact" after verifying the aircraft's position.
What is the minimum altitude a pilot must maintain over congested areas unless otherwise
authorized?
✔✔ 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet.
What does a steady red light signal from the control tower indicate to an aircraft in flight?
✔✔ Give way to other aircraft and continue circling.
What should a pilot do when ATC advises "cleared for immediate takeoff"?
✔✔ Begin takeoff roll without delay.
What does it mean when ATC says "traffic in sight"?
✔✔ The pilot has visually identified the referenced aircraft.
How does ATC handle a pilot declaring "minimum fuel"?
✔✔ ATC provides priority handling but does not consider it an emergency unless declared as
such.
4
Questions and Answers Latest Version
Graded A+
When must a pilot read back an ATC clearance?
✔✔ Whenever ATC issues an instruction that affects altitude, heading, speed, or runway usage.
What phrase does a pilot use to indicate they are experiencing a distress situation?
✔✔ Mayday, repeated three times.
What should a pilot do if they lose radio communication in controlled airspace?
✔✔ Follow the last ATC clearance received, squawk 7600, and attempt to reestablish
communication.
How does a pilot acknowledge a light signal from the control tower if the radio is inoperative?
✔✔ By rocking the aircraft's wings during the day or flashing landing lights at night.
What is the meaning of a flashing green light from the control tower to an aircraft on the ground?
✔✔ The aircraft is cleared to taxi.
1
,What should a pilot do if ATC instructs them to “expedite” a maneuver?
✔✔ Comply as quickly and safely as possible within operational limitations.
When must a pilot request clearance before entering controlled airspace?
✔✔ Before entering Class A, B, C, or D airspace.
What is the standard separation between IFR aircraft at cruising altitude?
✔✔ It varies based on ATC radar capability and flight level but is typically 1,000 feet vertically
or 5 nautical miles horizontally.
How does ATC identify an aircraft using a transponder?
✔✔ By assigning a unique squawk code and confirming radar contact.
What must a pilot do if they receive an ATC instruction that they cannot safely comply with?
✔✔ Inform ATC immediately and request an alternative clearance.
What is the standard phrase used by ATC to instruct an aircraft to stop immediately?
2
,✔✔ STOP IMMEDIATELY.
What should a pilot do if they are unsure about an ATC instruction?
✔✔ Request clarification from ATC before taking any action.
How can a pilot indicate an emergency if the radio is inoperative?
✔✔ Set the transponder to squawk 7700 and use light signals if in view of the tower.
What does ATC expect from a pilot when they issue a clearance for a visual approach?
✔✔ The pilot must maintain visual contact with the airport and traffic ahead.
When does an ATC clearance become effective?
✔✔ When the pilot acknowledges and complies with the instruction.
What should a pilot do if an aircraft ahead generates significant wake turbulence?
✔✔ Maintain adequate separation and adjust altitude to avoid wake turbulence effects.
How does ATC communicate to an aircraft that it is identified on radar?
3
, ✔✔ By stating "radar contact" after verifying the aircraft's position.
What is the minimum altitude a pilot must maintain over congested areas unless otherwise
authorized?
✔✔ 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet.
What does a steady red light signal from the control tower indicate to an aircraft in flight?
✔✔ Give way to other aircraft and continue circling.
What should a pilot do when ATC advises "cleared for immediate takeoff"?
✔✔ Begin takeoff roll without delay.
What does it mean when ATC says "traffic in sight"?
✔✔ The pilot has visually identified the referenced aircraft.
How does ATC handle a pilot declaring "minimum fuel"?
✔✔ ATC provides priority handling but does not consider it an emergency unless declared as
such.
4
