With the advisory 'TRAFFIC 2 O'CLOCK, 5 MILES, NORTHBOUND', where should a pilot look for this traffic?

• A. Directly ahead
• B. Between directly ahead and 90° to the right
• C. Directly to the left
• D. Directly behind

Answer: (B)

Understanding traffic reports in clock terms is key. When someone says traffic at 2 o’clock, that means the other airplane is forward and to the right of your nose, not directly ahead or to the side or behind. Being at 2 o’clock places it in the forward-right quadrant, roughly between straight ahead (0°) and 90° to your right.

So the correct area to look is the sector between directly ahead and 90° to the right. This matches the 2 o’clock position and helps you spot the traffic before it becomes a hazard. The other positions describe directions straight ahead, to the left, or behind, which don’t align with 2 o’clock. The note of northbound just helps you anticipate its direction of travel relative to yours, but the visual search should cover that forward-right area.