Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) PracticeTest

How does air traffic control primarily ensure safety?

1. By providing entertainment for passengers

2. By managing economic factors of the airline industry

3. By preventing collision between known aircraft

4. By offering weather updates

The correct answer is: By preventing collision between known aircraft

Air traffic control primarily ensures safety by preventing collisions between known aircraft. This is achieved through a systematic approach that includes constant monitoring of aircraft positions, communication with pilots, and the implementation of separation standards. Controllers use radar and other technologies to track the location, altitude, and speed of all aircraft in a designated airspace. By maintaining safe distances between aircraft, controllers can mitigate the risk of accidents and ensure that aircraft are sequenced efficiently for takeoff and landing. The focus on collision avoidance is a fundamental aspect of air traffic control operations. Aircraft routing, altitude assignments, and timing of departures and arrivals are all managed with the primary goal of ensuring that aircraft do not come too close to one another in flight, thereby safeguarding the lives of passengers and crew. This proactive management of airspace and aircraft movements is essential for maintaining a safe and orderly airspace environment.