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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Which advisory indicates a southeast-bound traffic relative to a pilot’s position?

TRAFFIC 3 O'CLOCK
TRAFFIC 10 O'CLOCK
TRAFFIC 2 O'CLOCK
TRAFFIC 9 O'CLOCK

The correct answer is: TRAFFIC 3 O'CLOCK

The correct choice indicates that the southeast-bound traffic is located at a relative position to the pilot that corresponds to their current orientation and the clock system used in aviation communication. When a pilot is instructed that there is "traffic at 3 o'clock," this means the traffic is located directly to their right while they are facing forward. Given that southeast is positioned between south (which is at 6 o'clock) and east (which is at 3 o'clock), referencing traffic at 3 o'clock suggests that the aircraft is moving in a direction that encompasses southeast as it would be coming from the approach side. Understanding relative positions in aviation is key to maintaining situational awareness, and utilizing this clock reference allows pilots to quickly ascertain the direction of potentially conflicting traffic.