How many seconds of warning is provided by a Resolution Advisory (RA)?

• A. 15 seconds
• B. 25 seconds
• C. 35 seconds
• D. 45 seconds

Answer: (B)

Resolution Advisories are designed to give you a finite warning window long enough to execute the recommended vertical maneuver and reestablish safe separation from the intruder. The typical duration you’re taught for an RA is about 25 seconds. That window provides time to react with the automatic guidance—usually a climb or descent—so that, if you follow it promptly, the threat is resolved within a manageable timeframe.

In practice, the exact time can vary with traffic and maneuvering, but 25 seconds is the standard reference used in training because it balances giving pilots enough opportunity to act with the need to conclude the advisory promptly as the relative situation changes. Shorter durations would risk insufficient time to complete the maneuver safely, while longer durations would not align with how RA logic prioritizes fast resolution as the situation evolves.