FAA Military Competency Practice Exam

What equipment is required for aircraft operating to and from a satellite airport within Class C airspace?

1. Basic flight instruments

2. GPS equipment

3. An ATC transponder and altitude reporting equipment

4. No special equipment is necessary

The correct answer is: An ATC transponder and altitude reporting equipment

To operate an aircraft to and from a satellite airport within Class C airspace, it is necessary for the aircraft to be equipped with an ATC transponder and altitude reporting equipment. Class C airspace is designed to manage some levels of aircraft traffic while ensuring safety through communication and monitoring. An ATC transponder allows for the aircraft to be identified and tracked by Air Traffic Control, which is critical in busy airspace. Moreover, altitude reporting equipment enables the transponder to provide real-time altitude information to ATC, allowing for safer separation of aircraft. This requirement is aimed at enhancing situational awareness for both pilots and ATC, thus preventing potential conflicts between different aircraft in the same airspace. While basic flight instruments or GPS equipment may be useful for navigation and flight management, they do not fulfill the specific safety and communication requirements established for operations within Class C airspace. Thus, having an ATC transponder and altitude reporting capability is mandatory. The assertion that no special equipment is necessary fails to recognize the regulatory and operational needs outlined by the FAA for safe operations in this type of airspace.