FAA Ground School Practice Test

When an air traffic controller provides radar traffic information using the 12-hour clock format, what reference does the controller use?

1. The aircraft's heading

2. The aircraft's altitude

3. The aircraft's ground track

4. The current time

The correct answer is: The aircraft's ground track

When an air traffic controller provides radar traffic information in the 12-hour clock format, they are primarily using the aircraft's ground track as the reference. The ground track represents the actual path over the ground that the aircraft is following, which is crucial for situational awareness. Using this reference allows pilots to understand the relative position of other aircraft in relation to their own flight path. In this context, the 12-hour clock format provides a clear understanding of direction, where "12 o'clock" would indicate directly ahead, "3 o'clock" to the right, "6 o'clock" behind, and "9 o'clock" to the left. This system efficiently conveys the position of nearby air traffic, assisting pilots in maintaining a safe distance from other aircraft. Other potential references, such as the aircraft's heading or altitude, are not appropriate for the clock format. Heading indicates the direction the aircraft is pointed rather than its actual movement over ground, while altitude provides vertical spacing and does not directly relate to horizontal positioning or direction concerning other aircraft. Current time, while crucial for operational purposes, is unrelated to the directional format used for reporting traffic. Thus, the ground track is the most logical and useful reference for the 12-hour clock format in air traffic control