Free practice test

Air Traffic Controller Practice Test

Check what you know about the air traffic controller job with 15 free questions and instant explanations.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
About this practice test

15 multiple-choice questions on air traffic controller knowledge, safety and vocabulary. Submit to see your score and explanations, or open any question’s answer as you go. Nothing is saved or shared.

Question 1 of 15TRACON controllers handle:
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Answer: Arrivals and departures near airports. TRACONs manage terminal airspace.

Question 2 of 15A readback is:
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Answer: A pilot repeating instructions. Readbacks confirm instructions.

Question 3 of 15Mandatory retirement age for most controllers is:
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Answer: 56. Most must retire by 56.

Question 4 of 15Separation means:
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Answer: Minimum distance between aircraft. Separation prevents collisions.

Question 5 of 15Before clearing takeoff, a controller confirms:
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Answer: The runway is clear. The runway must be clear.

Question 6 of 15Which term matches this definition: “The minimum distance between aircraft.”
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Answer: Separation. Separation: The minimum distance between aircraft.

Question 7 of 15What does “Squawk” mean?
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Answer: A transponder code assigned to an aircraft.. Squawk: A transponder code assigned to an aircraft.

Question 8 of 15Which term matches this definition: “A pilot repeating instructions to confirm them.”
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Answer: Readback. Readback: A pilot repeating instructions to confirm them.

Question 9 of 15What does “Clearance” mean?
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Answer: Authorization from ATC to proceed.. Clearance: Authorization from ATC to proceed.

Question 10 of 15Which term matches this definition: “A racetrack pattern aircraft fly while waiting.”
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Answer: Holding. Holding: A racetrack pattern aircraft fly while waiting.

Question 11 of 15What does “ARTCC” mean?
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Answer: Air route traffic control center for en route traffic.. ARTCC: Air route traffic control center for en route traffic.

Question 12 of 15Which term matches this definition: “The facility controlling the airport and nearby airspace.”
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Answer: Tower. Tower: The facility controlling the airport and nearby airspace.

Question 13 of 15What does “Mayday” mean?
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Answer: An international distress call.. Mayday: An international distress call.

Question 14 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Managing traffic volume into busy airspace.”
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Answer: Flow control. Flow control: Managing traffic volume into busy airspace.

Question 15 of 15What does “Runway incursion” mean?
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Answer: An unauthorized presence on a runway.. Runway incursion: An unauthorized presence on a runway.

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