Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) PracticeTest

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Prepare for the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) with our comprehensive test. Study with diverse and interactive exercises, multiple choice questions, and detailed explanations to enhance proficiency and readiness for your examination.

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How many feet of runway separation is required for a Category III aircraft landing behind a Category I aircraft?

3,000
6,000
10,000
5,000

The correct answer is: 6,000

For a Category III aircraft landing behind a Category I aircraft, the required runway separation is 6,000 feet. This distance is established to ensure adequate spacing between aircraft, especially in situations where the leading aircraft may be experiencing a higher rate of descent or longer stopping distance than the following aircraft. The Category I aircraft typically has a lower approach speed and may not require advanced landing skills compared to a Category III aircraft, which is capable of landing in very low visibility conditions. The larger separation distance accounts for these performance differences and enhances safety by minimizing the risk of wake turbulence or collision during landing. Through careful adherence to these separation guidelines, air traffic controllers help maintain operational safety and efficiency at busy airports.