AIM ¶ 5-5-10 — Traffic Advisories
AIM 5-5-10 explains pilot and controller responsibilities for traffic advisories, including acknowledgment, vectors, and limits of radar traffic information.
In Plain English
AIM 5-5-10 splits responsibilities between you and ATC when traffic advisories are issued.
Pilot responsibilities:
- Acknowledge receipt of traffic advisories.
- Tell the controller if you have the traffic in sight.
- Request a vector if you want help avoiding the traffic.
- Don't expect advisories on all traffic — some aircraft may not appear on radar, and the controller may be busy with higher-priority duties.
- Advise ATC if you don't want the service.
Controller responsibilities:
- Issue radar traffic to the maximum extent possible, consistent with higher-priority duties (except in Class A, where it's not provided this way).
- Provide vectors to avoid observed traffic when the pilot requests them.
- Issue traffic information in Class B, C, and D surface areas for sequencing.
- Required to issue traffic advisories to each aircraft operating on intersecting or nonintersecting converging runways where projected flight paths will cross.
Operationally, this means traffic calls are a shared workload tool — your readback and visual acquisition help the controller, but you remain responsible for see-and-avoid.
AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 5-5-105-5-10. 5-5-10. Traffic Advisories (Traffic Information)
Pilot. Acknowledges receipt of traffic advisories. Informs controller if traffic in sight. Advises ATC if a vector to avoid traffic is desired. Does not expect to receive radar traffic advisories on all traffic. Some aircraft may not appear on the radar display. Be aware that the controller may be occupied with higher priority duties and unable to issue traffic information for a variety of reasons. Advises controller if service is not desired. Controller. Issues radar traffic to the maximum extent consistent with higher priority duties except in Class A airspace. Provides vectors to assist aircraft to avoid observed traffic when requested by the pilot. Issues traffic information to aircraft in the Class B, Class C, and Class D surface areas for sequencing purposes. Controllers are required to issue traffic advisoriesto each aircraft operating on intersecting or nonintersecting converging runways where projected flight paths will cross.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What are your responsibilities as a pilot when ATC issues a traffic advisory?
Per AIM 5-5-10, the pilot acknowledges receipt of the advisory, informs the controller if the traffic is in sight, advises ATC if a vector to avoid traffic is desired, and advises the controller if the service is not desired.
Q2Can you expect ATC to call out every aircraft near you when receiving traffic advisories?
No. Per AIM 5-5-10, pilots should not expect to receive radar traffic advisories on all traffic — some aircraft may not appear on the radar display, and the controller may be occupied with higher-priority duties and unable to issue traffic information.
Q3When are controllers required to issue traffic advisories regarding runway operations?
Per AIM 5-5-10, controllers are required to issue traffic advisories to each aircraft operating on intersecting or nonintersecting converging runways where projected flight paths will cross.
Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 5