To determine relevance of a yellow alert and alert the Radar Controller, what must be referenced?

• A. Visual observation only
• B. Full data blocks for all involved aircraft
• C. Weather data for the area
• D. Do not use data blocks unless requested

Answer: (B)

Relevance of a yellow alert hinges on having complete state information for every aircraft involved. You must reference the full data blocks for all aircraft in the alert because those blocks deliver the current position, altitude, speed, heading, climb/descent rate, identification, flight plan, route, and any planned changes. With that comprehensive picture, you can project trajectories, verify whether the predicted proximity falls within alert criteria, and determine the proper action to take, including whether the Radar Controller needs to be alerted and what coordination is required.

Relying on visual observation alone isn’t reliable enough, since it can miss exact altitudes, speeds, or intents and may be limited by line-of-sight or radar coverage gaps. Weather data, while important for flight planning, doesn’t by itself establish whether two aircraft pose a conflict. And using data blocks only after being asked delays timely risk assessment.