What has the FIRST priority according to the 7110.65 regulations?

The priority outlined in the 7110.65 regulations emphasizes the critical need for separating aircraft and issuing safety alerts. This focus stems from the essential role of air traffic control in ensuring the safety of all operations within U.S. airspace. Effective separation of aircraft is vital to prevent collisions, and issuing safety alerts is crucial for addressing any potential hazards that might threaten aircraft safety. These responsibilities are fundamental to the mission of air traffic control, ensuring that all flying operations are conducted safely and efficiently, underscoring the importance of prioritizing safety in all aspects of air traffic management.

In contrast, while providing weather information, granting pilot requests, and managing runway schedules are important functions of air traffic operations, they come after the immediate safety considerations of separating aircraft and issuing safety alerts. Thus, the primary focus remains on maintaining a safe operating environment before addressing other operational priorities.