What are the four degrees of control?

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Multiple Choice

What are the four degrees of control?

The four degrees of control describe how much authority an air traffic controller has over an aircraft in different situations. Positive control is the strongest form—ATC issues clearances and instructions that pilots must follow to maintain separation, so the controller actually dictates actions. Advisory control is lighter—ATC provides information and recommendations, but the pilot remains responsible for applying the guidance and keeping separation. Monitor means the controller watches the traffic and is ready to intervene if needed, but does not issue active instructions; the pilot largely maintains separation with the controller’s awareness as support. Non-radar control applies in environments without radar, where separation relies on procedural rules and pilot position reports rather than radar guidance, so the controller’s role is supervisory rather than prescriptive. This combination—positive, advisory, monitor, non-radar—captures the recognized spectrum of control in ATC operations.

The four degrees of control describe how much authority an air traffic controller has over an aircraft in different situations. Positive control is the strongest form—ATC issues clearances and instructions that pilots must follow to maintain separation, so the controller actually dictates actions. Advisory control is lighter—ATC provides information and recommendations, but the pilot remains responsible for applying the guidance and keeping separation. Monitor means the controller watches the traffic and is ready to intervene if needed, but does not issue active instructions; the pilot largely maintains separation with the controller’s awareness as support. Non-radar control applies in environments without radar, where separation relies on procedural rules and pilot position reports rather than radar guidance, so the controller’s role is supervisory rather than prescriptive. This combination—positive, advisory, monitor, non-radar—captures the recognized spectrum of control in ATC operations.

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