Which action should be performed to ensure coordination with air traffic control during the outage?

• A. Switch to backup sensors
• B. Inform ATC and operations
• C. Activate contingency procedures
• D. Implement approved alt routing

Answer: (B)

Coordinating with air traffic control during an outage hinges on rapid, clear communication to keep air traffic safe and orderly. Informing ATC and operations right away ensures that both the control center and the airport's operational teams share awareness of the outage, its scope, and the likely impact. With that common picture, ATC can adjust traffic sequencing, issue appropriate advisories to pilots, and implement any routing or altitude changes that safety and efficiency require. At the same time, operations can mobilize contingency resources and ensure everyone involved understands the plan and their roles, preventing mixed messages.

Other actions matter, but they depend on this coordination. Switching to backup sensors tackles the technical side but won’t guarantee that ATC is aware or aligned with how traffic will be managed. Activating contingency procedures is important, yet without notifying ATC, those procedures could be applied inconsistently. Implementing approved alternate routing requires ATC approval and coordination; if ATC isn’t informed, those routes might conflict with controllers’ plans. So the immediate step that best preserves safety and coordination is informing ATC and operations.