CA.I.D.R5FAA-S-ACS-7B · Nov 2023Risk management
Limitations of air traffic control (ATC) services.
Limitations of air traffic control (ATC) services.
Bottom line
ATC's ability to provide additional services is limited by factors such as volume of traffic, frequency congestion, quality of radar, controller workload, and higher priority duties. Radar signals degrade over distance and cannot penetrate through solid objects such as mountains. ATC can assist pilots with traffic avoidance, weather avoidance, terrain avoidance, and navigation.
FAA references
- PHAK ch. 15 (p. 15-7) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
- RMH ch. 6 (pp. 6-3–6-4) — FAA-H-8083-2A
- AIM 5-5-15 (Minimum Fuel Advisory) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
- 14 CFR 91.123 (Compliance with ATC clearances and instructions.) — eCFR current as of 2026-03-05
- PHAK ch. 16 (p. 16-34) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
- PHAK ch. 14 (p. 14-24) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
- RMH ch. 3 (p. 3-8) — FAA-H-8083-2A
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