When radar is not available, which approach describes traffic to a pilot?

When radar is not available, which approach describes traffic to a pilot?

• A. Use the pilot's current altitude to describe traffic.
• B. Describe traffic using landmarks and runways relative positions, and provide turn instructions as needed.
• C. Give only altitude and speed information.
• D. Use a standard traffic density code.

Answer: (C)

When radar isn’t available, you must build the pilot’s situational awareness from fixed references rather than radar-derived positions. The most effective way to describe traffic is to use landmarks and runways as anchors and tell the pilot where the other aircraft is relative to those references, plus issue turn instructions if needed to maintain separation. This gives a concrete, actionable picture of where traffic is and how to maneuver around it. Giving only altitude and speed doesn’t tell the pilot where other aircraft are, so it doesn’t establish awareness of traffic conflicts. Altitude and speed alone can be useful data, but without a relative position description, it’s hard to judge risk or plan safe maneuvers. A standard traffic density code isn’t a recognized method for conveying precise traffic information to pilots, and relying on altitude alone fails to provide the necessary spatial context.

When radar isn’t available, you must build the pilot’s situational awareness from fixed references rather than radar-derived positions. The most effective way to describe traffic is to use landmarks and runways as anchors and tell the pilot where the other aircraft is relative to those references, plus issue turn instructions if needed to maintain separation. This gives a concrete, actionable picture of where traffic is and how to maneuver around it.

Giving only altitude and speed doesn’t tell the pilot where other aircraft are, so it doesn’t establish awareness of traffic conflicts. Altitude and speed alone can be useful data, but without a relative position description, it’s hard to judge risk or plan safe maneuvers. A standard traffic density code isn’t a recognized method for conveying precise traffic information to pilots, and relying on altitude alone fails to provide the necessary spatial context.