FAA Ground School Practice Test

Who should a departing VFR aircraft request traffic information from during ground operations?

1. Flight Service

2. Air Traffic Control

3. Ground Control

4. Departure Control

The correct answer is: Ground Control

During ground operations, a departing VFR (Visual Flight Rules) aircraft should request traffic information from Ground Control. Ground Control is responsible for managing all ground movements of aircraft and typically has the most current information regarding other aircraft that may be taxiing, taking off, or landing. This helps ensure safety on the ground by providing pilots with vital information about nearby aircraft that could affect their movement. Requesting traffic information from Ground Control allows pilots to be aware of the operational environment as they prepare for departure, which is crucial for avoiding potential conflicts. Air Traffic Control is generally focused on aircraft in the airspace and managing their transitions into and out of the terminal area, and while they have information about airborne traffic, their primary focus is not on ground operations. Similarly, Flight Service, while a valuable resource for general advisories and weather updates, is not specifically responsible for traffic information during ground operations. Departure Control typically comes into play once aircraft are airborne and transitioning out of controlled airspace, making Ground Control the most relevant authority for this request prior to takeoff.