Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) Practice Test

In the advisory "TRAFFIC 10 O'CLOCK, 2 MILES, SOUTHBOUND," the phrase "10 O'CLOCK" indicates the relative bearing of the traffic from the pilot's perspective. In aviation, the compass clock references work as follows: 12 o'clock represents directly in front of the aircraft, 3 o'clock is to the right, 6 o'clock is directly behind, and 9 o'clock is to the left.

Since the aircraft is on a heading of 360 degrees (which is heading north), the pilot should look at the 10 o'clock position to determine where the traffic is located. The 10 o'clock position would be towards the left and slightly forward relative to the aircraft's nose.

If the traffic is also described as "SOUTHBOUND," this means it is moving toward the south, hence it will be positioned to the southwest from the pilot's perspective. Therefore, the correct location to check for the traffic is to the northwest of the aircraft. Looking there aligns with the need to anticipate the position of the traffic that is moving southward in relation to the pilot flying north.