DGCA Air Regulations: Area Control Service Questions
34 exam-style Area Control Service questions for the DGCA Air Regulations paper (CPL · ATPL · PPL). The first 12 are free below with answers and explanations — sign up free to practise all of them with progress tracking.
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Q1
When a RADAR operator says fly heading 030° to an aircraft, the pilot must fly heading:
- A 030° magnetic in still air conditions thereby flying the magnetic track)
- B 030° true
- C 030° magnetic
- D 030° true, in still air conditions thereby flying the true track)
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 030° magnetic
When ATC says fly heading 030°, the pilot must fly 030° MAGNETIC — full stop! Headings in aviation are always magnetic unless specifically stated otherwise. The still air qualifications in options A and D are wrong because heading is heading regardless of wind. Magnetic heading 030° is what you set on your compass/HSI.
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Q2
Who is responsible for an ATC clearance to be safe in respect to terrain clearance?
- A The ATC
- B The aircraft operator
- C The air traffic service reporting office when accepting the flight plan
- D The pilot in command
Show answer
Correct answer: D. The pilot in command
The Pilot in Command PIC) is ALWAYS ultimately responsible for the safety of the flight, including terrain clearance. ATC gives you a route but it is your job as the pilot to make sure you are not flying into a mountain. The captain is the boss of the aircraft — always.
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Q3
For lateral separation of aircraft on diverging tracks, what is the minimum requirement per ICAO PANS-ATM?
- A Maintain a constant 15 NM lateral separation at all times
- B 15 NM separation at or after a point where tracks diverge by at least 15 degrees
- C Vertical separation is also required in addition to any lateral separation
- D 10 NM separation with 30 degree track divergence
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 15 NM separation at or after a point where tracks diverge by at least 15 degrees
Per ICAO PANS-ATM Doc 4444) Chapter 5, lateral separation based on diverging tracks requires that the tracks diverge by at least 15° and that the aircraft are separated by at least 15 NM at or after the point of divergence. This ensures that the aircraft are moving apart and the separation is self-increasing after that point. Vertical separation is an alternative, not an addition.
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Q4
The North Atlantic Track (NAT/OTS) system consists of:
- A Purely random routing chosen by each pilot
- B Fixed permanent airways that never change
- C A structured set of tracks across the North Atlantic, re-published to suit each day's traffic flow and winds
- D Radar vectors given by oceanic control
Show answer
Correct answer: C. A structured set of tracks across the North Atlantic, re-published to suit each day's traffic flow and winds
The Organised Track System is a set of near-parallel tracks across the North Atlantic, recalculated and published twice daily to match the prevailing winds and the peak east/west traffic flows.
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Q5
An aircraft is flying at FL 150 in class D airspace, while another aircraft at FL 140 has been cleared to descend to FL 70. Given the severe turbulence in the area, when can a clearance to descend to FL 140 or below be anticipated?
- A When the other aircraft has reported that it has left FL 140
- B When the other aircraft has reported that it has reached FL 70
- C When the other aircraft has reported that it has descended through FL 130
Show answer
Correct answer: C. When the other aircraft has reported that it has descended through FL 130
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Q6
What is the minimum longitudinal separation required between aircraft that have departed from the same airport, are on the same flight path, and where the aircraft ahead is flying at a true airspeed that is 20 knots or more faster than the one behind?
- A 5 minutes
- B 3 minutes
- C 2 minutes
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 5 minutes
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Q7
What is the minimum longitudinal separation time between aircraft at the same cruising level, where navigation aids allow for frequent position and speed updates, and the preceding aircraft is flying at a true airspeed that is at least 40 knots faster than the following aircraft?
- A 5 minutes
- B 3 minutes
- C 10 minutes
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 3 minutes
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Q8
What is the minimum longitudinal separation time between aircraft at the same cruising level, where navigation aids allow for frequent position and speed determination, and the preceding aircraft is flying at a true airspeed that is at least 20 knots faster than the following aircraft?
- A 15 minutes
- B 10 minutes
- C 5 minutes
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 5 minutes
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Q9
What is the minimum longitudinal separation time between aircraft at the same cruising altitude when navigation aids allow for frequent position and speed updates?
- A 10 minutes
- B 3 minutes
- C 15 minutes
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 10 minutes
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Q10
What is the minimum longitudinal separation time required between aircraft that have departed from the same airport, are on the same flight path, and where the leading aircraft is flying at a true airspeed that is at least 40 knots faster than the following aircraft?
- A 10 minutes
- B 8 minutes
- C 3 minutes
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 3 minutes
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Q11
What is the minimum longitudinal separation based on distance using DME when each aircraft "on track" utilizes DME stations?
- A 10NM
- B 20NM
- C 5NM
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 20NM
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Q12
What is the minimum longitudinal separation required when one aircraft is about to pass through the altitude of another aircraft on the same track?
- A 5 Minutes at the time the level is crossed
- B 15 minutes at the time the level is crossed
- C 10 minutes at the time the level is crossed
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 15 minutes at the time the level is crossed
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