FAA Ground School Practice Test

What should pilots generally expect when they are provided basic radar services?

1. Weather updates and navigation assistance

2. Flight path determination only

3. Safety alerts and traffic advisories

4. Landing and take-off clearance

The correct answer is: Safety alerts and traffic advisories

When pilots are provided with basic radar services, they can expect safety alerts and traffic advisories. Basic radar services aim to enhance situational awareness, helping pilots avoid potential collisions and maintain safe separation from other aircraft. Safety alerts can involve notifying pilots of significant deviations from their flight path or detecting nearby traffic that may pose a conflict. Traffic advisories involve providing information about proximity to other aircraft, which is crucial for maintaining safe operating distances. Basic radar services do not include comprehensive weather updates or continuous navigation assistance. While pilots may receive some assistance with navigation, it is not the primary function of basic radar services. Furthermore, landing and take-off clearance is not part of the basic radar service, as this goes beyond the scope of radar services and falls under the domain of air traffic control clearances. Therefore, the key takeaway is that safety alerts and traffic advisories are the primary expectations for pilots utilizing basic radar services.