Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) Practice Test 2025 - Free ATSA Practice Questions and Study Guide

In the situation where a departure is climbing through the altitude of an arrival, the primary responsibility of the air traffic controller is to ensure safe separation between the two aircraft. This involves maintaining a specified vertical or horizontal distance between the aircraft to prevent any potential conflict.

Separation is crucial for avoiding mid-air collisions and ensuring smooth operations within controlled airspace. The controller must actively monitor the altitudes and flight paths of both aircraft to provide any necessary instructions that may help maintain this separation, such as directing one aircraft to climb or descend or adjusting their flight paths.

While permission to descend may be relevant in some contexts, it does not address the immediate requirement of maintaining proper separation. Denial of takeoff and vectoring away from the VORTAC pertain to other aspects of air traffic management that may not directly relate to the scenario described, making them less relevant in this case.