Air Route Traffic Control Centers

AIM ¶ 4-1-1 — Air Route Traffic Control Centers

AIM 4-1-1 explains ARTCC (Center) role: providing IFR ATC service in controlled airspace during en route flight. Study guide for pilot students.

In Plain English

Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) — usually called "Centers" on the radio — are the FAA facilities responsible for handling traffic between terminal areas. Per AIM 4-1-1, their primary purpose is to:

Provide air traffic service to aircraft operating on IFR flight plans
Work traffic within controlled airspace
Handle aircraft principally during the en route phase of flight

In practical terms, after you depart and are handed off from Departure Control, you'll typically talk to a Center controller for the cruise portion of your IFR flight, then get handed to Approach Control as you near your destination. Centers cover huge geographic areas (the U.S. is divided into roughly 20 ARTCCs domestically), and each Center is subdivided into sectors — which is why you'll change frequencies multiple times during a long en route segment.

While Centers focus on IFR traffic, VFR pilots can also request VFR flight following (workload permitting) to receive traffic advisories from Center controllers in areas not covered by an Approach facility.

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AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 4-1-1

Centers are established primarily to provide air traffic service to aircraft operating on IFR flight plans within controlled airspace, and principally during the en route phase of flight.

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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What is the primary purpose of an Air Route Traffic Control Center?

Per AIM 4-1-1, ARTCCs (Centers) are established primarily to provide air traffic service to aircraft operating on IFR flight plans within controlled airspace, principally during the en route phase of flight.

Q2During which phase of flight do Centers principally provide service?

Per AIM 4-1-1, Centers principally provide service during the en route phase of flight, which is the cruise segment between the departure and destination terminal areas.

Q3What type of flight plan do Centers primarily support?

Per AIM 4-1-1, Centers primarily provide air traffic service to aircraft operating on IFR flight plans within controlled airspace.

Related Paragraphs in Chapter 4

¶ 4-1-10

CTAF IFR Approach Procedures

¶ 4-1-11

UNICOM/MULTICOM Frequencies