FAA Ground School Practice Test

In radar traffic information, the controller references the aircraft's information using which system?

1. Flight path

2. Ground track

3. Assigned altitude

4. Heading

The correct answer is: Ground track

In radar traffic information, the controller uses the ground track of an aircraft to reference its position. The ground track is the actual path the aircraft is following over the ground, and it provides valuable information about the aircraft's movement and its relationship to other traffic in the airspace. Understanding the ground track is crucial for air traffic controllers to ensure safe separation between aircraft, as it helps them to make informed decisions regarding traffic conflicts and sequencing. The ground track takes into account both wind and the aircraft's heading, offering a true representation of where the aircraft is headed over the Earth. The other options, while they relate to aircraft movement, do not provide this comprehensive positional context in radar traffic management. For instance, flight path refers to the trajectory in three-dimensional space but is less specific regarding actual ground movement under current conditions. Assigned altitude denotes a vertical level that an aircraft is cleared to maintain but does not indicate lateral position or track. Heading indicates the direction the aircraft is pointed but does not reflect actual movement over ground, especially in windy conditions. Thus, ground track is the most reliable reference for situational awareness in radar communications.