EASA ATPL Package (former JAA) Air Law

ATC & Air Traffic Management

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Sample Question: ATC & Air Traffic Management

Question 1125
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Pilots of controlled flights are requested to inform the appropriate ATS whenever the average TAS at cruising level between reporting points varies or is expected to vary from the TAS given in the flight plan by:

A
2%
B
5%
C
3%
D
4%

ATC and Air Traffic Management: What Pilots Need to Know for ATPL Air Law

Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Air Traffic Management (ATM) provide the regulatory and procedural framework that keeps aircraft separated, informed, and safe. Under ICAO Annex 11, Annex 2, and PANS-ATM (ICAO Doc 4444), Air Traffic Services include Air Traffic Control Service, Flight Information Service (FIS), and Alerting Service—typically provided within a Flight Information Region (FIR). In practice, this means pilots can expect FIS and Alerting Service in all FIRs, with ATC services in controlled airspace segments such as CTRs and TMAs. Core concepts you’ll see in ATPL Air Law include standardized radiotelephony phraseology, flight planning, surveillance procedures, and the responsibilities of ATS units during routine ops and contingencies.

Communication and surveillance procedures are central to safe operations. When radar identification has been achieved, the controller must inform the pilot before issuing instructions based on radar, and the phrase “radar contact” confirms the aircraft’s radar identity has been established. Vectoring standards limit the interception angle to the localizer—normally 30 degrees and never more than 45 degrees—to ensure stable ILS/LOC capture. During a surveillance radar approach (SRA) continued to the threshold, transmissions should not be interrupted for more than five seconds within 4 NM of touchdown. Pilots must read back SSR mode/code assignments, and ATC may temporarily change a call sign to reduce confusion with similar call signs. If a communication failure occurs after accepting a radar vector (e.g., “turn immediately, heading 050°”), the pilot should return to the current flight plan route in accordance with PANS-ATM.

Flight planning and time definitions are frequent test points. For VFR, the “estimated total time” in Item 16 of the flight plan is the time from take-off to arriving overhead the destination aerodrome; for IFR to a navaid-equipped aerodrome, the ETA refers to arrival overhead the initial approach fix (IAF). If an uncontrolled flight with a submitted flight plan is delayed beyond the original estimated off-block time by 60 minutes, amend the FPL or submit a new one and cancel the old. Repetitive Flight Plans (RPLs) are intended for flights operated regularly on the same day(s) over consecutive weeks—on at least ten occasions or daily for at least ten consecutive days. If an alternate aerodrome lacks an ICAO identifier, insert ZZZZ in Item 16 and specify ALTN/ followed by the aerodrome name in Item 18. Include complete position reports when required: identification, position, time, level, next position and time over, and ensuing significant point.

Operational definitions also matter. By international agreement, wind direction for take-off and landing is given in degrees magnetic (adjusted for local variation). “Essential traffic” is controlled traffic not separated from other controlled traffic by prescribed minima, prompting ATC to issue traffic information and, if possible, conflict resolution. Aerodrome control’s primary aim is safety and expeditious flow; for example, if an aircraft joins the circuit without permission, the tower may still clear it to land if this is the safest course. Alert phases for distressed or uncertain aircraft are the responsibility of ATC and flight information centres, and a “strayed aircraft” is one significantly off its intended track or reporting that it is lost. Wake turbulence category “L” applies to aircraft with a maximum certificated take-off mass of 7,000 kg or less.

What the ATC & Air Traffic Management Question Bank Covers

  • ATS roles and services: ATC, FIS, Alerting; FIR structures and responsibilities.
  • Radiotelephony and reports: position report elements, SSR code readbacks, “radar contact.”
  • Surveillance procedures: radar identification, vectoring to localizer limits, SRA transmission standards.
  • Flight planning: VFR/IFR time definitions (ETA/EET), delays and amendments, RPL criteria, alternates (ZZZZ/ALTN).
  • Aerodrome operations: circuit control, magnetic wind reporting for runway ops, essential traffic advisories.
  • Contingencies: communication failure actions, alerting responsibilities, strayed aircraft definitions.
  • Performance categories: wake turbulence categories, including “L” (≤ 7,000 kg).