Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) Practice Test 2026 - Free ATSA Practice Questions and Study Guide

The advisory "TRAFFIC 10 O'CLOCK, 2 MILES, SOUTHBOUND" is intended to indicate the position and direction of nearby traffic. This type of communication is crucial for maintaining situational awareness among pilots, allowing them to visualize the position of other aircraft in relation to their own. The phrase "10 O'CLOCK" specifies the direction relative to the aircraft's current heading, which refers to the left side at an angle of 90 degrees. The additional information, "2 MILES," provides the distance to the traffic, while "SOUTHBOUND" indicates the direction in which that aircraft is flying.

This information is vital for pilots to make informed decisions regarding their flight paths and to execute any necessary maneuvers to ensure safe separation from other aircraft. Understanding the spatial orientation and direction of surrounding traffic enables pilots to react appropriately to potential conflicts in a timely manner. The other options do not pertain to the function of this advisory; they involve different aspects of flight operations that are not the focus of this specific communication.