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PA.VIII.F.K3FAA-S-ACS-6C · Nov 2023Knowledge

Air traffic control facilities and services.

ACS element text (the applicant demonstrates understanding of)

Air traffic control facilities and services.

Bottom line

Communication with air traffic controllers and flight service specialists can provide real-time information on weather, air traffic, airspace activity, and other hazards. Civilian pilots communicate with ATC on VHF frequencies between 118.000 and 136.975 MHz, and radios capable of 25 kHz spacing are required to derive full benefit from the ATC system. Airspace requirements and ATC services facilitate safe and efficient operations, but under some circumstances their presence or absence constitutes a hazard.

Key numbers

Key numbers for Air traffic control facilities and services.
NumberWhat it means
118.000–136.975 MHzVHF band
25 kHzRadio spacing
within 4 NM, up to and including 2,500 feet AGLTower comms

FAA references

  1. RMH ch. 3 (p. 3-4) — FAA-H-8083-2A
  2. IFH ch. 2 (p. 2-2) — FAA-H-8083-15B
  3. RMH ch. 3 (p. 3-8) — FAA-H-8083-2A
  4. PHAK ch. 15 (p. 15-11) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  5. IFH ch. 10 (p. 10-3) — FAA-H-8083-15B
  6. IFH ch. 1 (p. 1-2) — FAA-H-8083-15B
  7. PHAK ch. 15 (p. 15-2) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
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