FAA En‑Route Radar Controller Certification (CKT-1) Practice Test

The phrase "Climb and maintain new flight level" is critical for effectively communicating changes in flight levels to an aircraft. This command is direct and unambiguous, clearly instructing the pilot to ascend to a specific altitude and maintain that level. It ensures that the pilot understands the need to change their current altitude and provides an immediate action to take.

This phraseology is standardized in aviation communication, which helps maintain consistency and clarity across different air traffic control scenarios, promoting safety and efficiency. Using terms like "climb" provides explicit guidance to the pilot regarding both the direction of the change (upwards) and the action needed (to maintain the new altitude once reached), which is essential for managing air traffic precisely.

In contrast, other options might lack the necessary specificity or urgency. For instance, "Flight level adjustment required" is somewhat vague and does not indicate the specific action the pilot should take. Likewise, "Change in altitude approved" may not clearly instruct the pilot on the desired action or provide the necessary direction to climb. Lastly, "Verify changes are effective immediately" does not instruct the pilot on what action to perform but instead focuses on confirmation, which can lead to confusion in a time-sensitive environment like air traffic control.