Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) PracticeTest

What does ARTCC stand for in the context of air traffic control?

1. Air Route Traffic Control Center

2. Air Route Transmission Control Center

3. Airport Radar Terminal Control Center

4. Airway Routing Traffic Communication Center

The correct answer is: Air Route Traffic Control Center

The correct term "Air Route Traffic Control Center" refers to a facility responsible for managing high-altitude air traffic between airports. These centers ensure the safe and efficient flow of aircraft through controlled airspace during en route flight phases. Pilots communicate with air traffic controllers at ARTCCs to receive instructions, clearances, and traffic advisories. Operated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, these centers operate across the national airspace system, providing essential services to facilitate long-distance air travel. Understanding what each term in the other options implies can clarify why they do not describe the role of ARTCC. For instance, "Air Route Transmission Control Center" and "Airway Routing Traffic Communication Center" use terminology not typically associated with air traffic management and do not reflect the operational functions of an ARTCC. Similarly, "Airport Radar Terminal Control Center" is more closely aligned with terminal operations at individual airports rather than the broader en route air traffic management that ARTCCs oversee.