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Free PSTAR practice Pilot Responsibilities

A student pilot on a VFR flight has been given a radar vector by ATC. Ahead, at a lower altitude, is a solid overcast cloud condition. The pilot should

  1. Aclimb above the cloud and fly “VFR over the top”.
  2. Balter heading as necessary to remain VFR and advise ATC.Correct answer
  3. Cmaintain heading and altitude as it is an ATC clearance.
  4. Dmaintain heading and altitude because ATC knows of the cloud and will issue further instructions.

Why this is the answer

When a vector heads the aircraft toward solid cloud, the pilot alters heading as needed to stay VFR and advises ATC (TC AIM-RAC, Radar Navigation Assistance to VFR Flights). Maintaining the vector into cloud is not acceptable, and the student is not OTT-qualified.

Reference

TC AIM-RAC – Radar Navigation Assistance To VFR Flights

Question reproduced verbatim from Transport Canada’s PSTAR Study and Reference Guide (TP 11919E). The answer key is Transport Canada’s; the explanation is ours.

A study aid — not a substitute for the official guide, the CARs, or your instructor.

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