Private Pilot Knowledge Test Flashcards
What are the four forces acting on an aircraft?
Thrust, drag, lift, and weight.
What’s it called when an aircraft is not changing speed, and not changing direction?
Unaccelerated flight.
What is the relationship between the four aerodynamic forces acting on an aircraft, when the aircraft is in unaccelerated flight?
They are in equilibrium. Thrust is equal to drag, and lift is equal to weight.
What is Bernoulli’s Law?
An increase in the speed of air occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure.
What is a chord line?
A line drawn from the trailing edge of the wing to the leading edge of the wing.
What is relative wind?
The wind in relation to the wing itself.
What is the angle of attack?
The acute angle between the chord line of the wing, and the relative wind.
Why does increasing the angle of attack cause a stall?
The air flowing over the top of the wing can no longer conform to the shape of the wing. So, instead of flowing smoothly over the wing, it backfills and burbles and eddies over the wing.
Does gross weight of the airplane alter the angle of attack at which the airplane stalls?
No. The airplane stalls at the same angle of attack, regardless of the gross weight of the airplane.
Does the indicated airspeed at which an aircraft stalls change due to altitude? Why or why not?
No, it does not change. The thinner air at higher altitude affects the airspeed indicator in exactly the same way that it affects the wing.
When an airplane is spinning, which wing is stalled? Why is it spinning in one particular direction?
Both wings are stalled. It’s spinning in one direction because one wing is more stalled than the other.
Why is frost on a wing harmful?
Because it can interrupt the smooth flow of air over the wing. It can prevent the airplane from becoming airborne at normal takeoff speed, and can cause the airplane to stall at a higher airspeed, or at an unpredictable airspeed.
Why does an airplane have a left turning tendency?
The descending propeller blade produces more thrust than the ascending propeller blade.
What are two other names for P-factor?
Asymmetric propeller loading and torque.
When is P-factor the greatest? High power or low power?
High power.
When is P-factor the greatest? High airspeed or low airspeed?
Low airspeed.
When is P-factor the greatest? High angle of attack or low angle of attack.
High angle of attack.
Why doesn’t an aircraft want to turn to the left at cruise speed?
The manufacturer has built some aerodynamic compensation into the aircraft, so that it doesn’t turn at cruise speed. Specifically, there is a slightly larger angle of attack built into the left wing, and the tail is canted slightly to the right.
What is another name for the attitude indicator?
Artificial horizon.
How do you determine the direction of bank from the attitude indicator?
Note the relationship of the miniature airplane to the deflecting horizon bar.
If you are in straight and level flight, and you want to adjust the attitude indicator, how do you do so?
Align the miniature airplane to the horizon bar.
What is another name for the heading indicator?
Directional gyro.
What do you have to do to receive accurate indications from a heading indicator?
Periodically align the heading indicator with the magnetic compass, because it wanders off due to gyroscopic precession.
What axes does the turn coordinator give you an indication of movement about?
The yaw and roll axes.
Which instruments are the pitot/static instruments?
Airspeed indicator, vertical speed indicator (rate of climb indicator), and altimeter.
What does the altimeter actually measure?
Air pressure.
How does the rate of climb indicator work?
It’s basically a container with a hole in it. It measure the speed at which the air rushes in and out of the hole, and uses that to determine rate of ascent and descent.
How does the airspeed indicator work?
It’s connected to the static vents, and the ram air from the pitot tube. It measures the difference in air pressure between the two. The difference is the indicated airspeed.
If the pitot tube becomes clogged, which instrument is affected?
The airspeed indicator.
If the static system vents become clogged, which instruments are affected?
Altimeter, airspeed indicator, and vertical speed indicator (rate of climb indicator).
If both the pitot tube AND the static system vents become clogged, which instruments are affected?
Altimeter, airspeed indicator, and vertical speed indicator (rate of climb indicator).
What’s the difference between true altitude and absolute altitude?
True altitude is altitude above sea level. Absolute altitude is altitude above ground level.
What’s pressure altitude?
The altitude indicated when you put 29.92 into the setting window of the altimeter.
For each 1,000 feet of altitude that you descend, about how much does the pressure change?
The air pressure drops about 1”.
If you fly from an area of high pressure, to an area of low pressure, without adjusting your altimeter, what would it indicate?
It would indicate a higher than actual altitude. So, your airplane would be too low. “From high to low, look out below!”
If you fly from an area of low pressure, to an area of high pressure, without adjusting your altimeter, what would it indicate?
It would indicate a lower than actual altitude. “Low to high, clear the sky!”
What happens to the altimeter when you adjust the pressure setting window to a larger number? How much does it change?
The indicated altitude increases. 1000 feet of indicated altitude for each inch of pressure.
How do you use your altimeter to find pressure altitude?
Put 29.92 in the setting window of your altimeter.
How do warm days affect pressure levels and indicated altitude?
On warm days, pressure levels are raised, and indicated altitude is lower than true altitude.
If you fly into cold temperatures, how is the indicated altitude affected?
In cold weather, the true altitude is lower than the indicated altitude.
Altimeter setting is the value to which the barometric pressure scale of the altimeter is set so that the altimeter indicates…
…true altitude at field elevation.
When is a magnetic compass accurate?
In straight, level, and unaccelerated flight.
In the Northern Hemisphere, when do acceleration errors occur for a magnetic compass?
Only on easterly or westerly headings.
How will the magnetic compass be affected by acceleration or deceleration?
ANDS:
Accelerate
North
Decelerate
South
When you accelerate, the compass will momentarily indicate a turn northward. When you decelerate, the compass will momentarily indicate a turn southward.
If you’re on a North heading, and you start a turn in one direction, what does the compass do?
The compass momentarily indicates a turn in the opposite direction.
NO:
North
Opposite
Describe how and when the compass overshoots and undershoots turns.
When heading south, and turning, the compass overshoots. When heading north, and turning, it undershoots.
COSUN:
Compass Overshoots South Undershoots North
How many degrees of latitude are between the equator and the north pole?
90°.
How are the degrees of latitude broken down?
Each degree is broken down into 60 minutes, and each minute is broken down into 60 seconds.
What distance is each minute of latitude?
One nautical mile.
How many degrees of longitude are on the earth?
360°. 180° on each side of the prime meridian.
When speaking of longitude and latitude, which do you speak of first?
Latitude.
Which cross the equator at right angles? Lines of latitude or longitude?
Longitude.
On a chart, what do the tick marks on the lines of longitude or latitude represent?
One minute (1 60th of a degree).
On a chart, what’s the basic symbol for an airport?
A red circle.
On a chart, what does an R inside a red circle mean?
A restricted airport.
On a chart, what does a filled-in red circle, with a line inside it mean?
An airport with a hard surface runway of at least 1,500 feet in length.
On a chart, what does a red circle surrounded by tick marks mean?
An airport that is supposed to have fuel.
On a chart, what does a blue filled-in circle mean?
A controlled airport.
On a chart, what does “CT” mean?
Control tower frequency.
On a chart, what does a star following a control tower frequency mean?
That it’s not a 24-hour control tower.
On a chart, what does a star at the top of an airport circle mean?
That the airport has a rotating beacon.
What does a rotating beacon that’s alternating one white and one green mean?
It’s a civilian airport.
What does a rotating beacon that’s alternating two white and one green mean?
Military airport.
What does a heliport rotating beacon look like?
White and green, with yellow in between.
On a chart, what do the numbers accompanying a symbol for an obstruction mean?
The bold number on top is the altitude above sea level (MSL), and the number in parentheses on the bottom is the height (AGL).
What’s a group obstruction?
When obstructions on the ground are very close together, they are represented on charts as symbols that look like two obstructions welded together.
On a chart, what is the Eiffel Tower like symbol used for?
To represent an obstruction that is at least 1,000 feet AGL.
On a chart, what does a group obstruction symbol with a starburst symbol on top of it used for?
To represent an obstruction with high intensity lights.
On a chart, what does the flag on a pole symbol represent?
A visual reporting point.
On a chart, what is a visual reporting point?
A predetermined position that ATC is aware of, and that the pilot should be aware of.
What is the contour line interval on charts?
500 feet.
In a congested area, how far above an obstacle must you fly?
1,000 feet.
What’s a basic mnemonic for airspace classes?
Altitude Big Crowded Dialog Elsewhere Go for it
Which classes of airspace are controlled? Which are uncontrolled?
Class G is uncontrolled. All of the rest are controlled.
All airspace is class __, unless it’s otherwise specified.
Class G.
How is Class G airspace shown on a chart?
By the absence of any other class of airspace.
At and above what altitude is all airspace in the contiguous US and Alaska controlled?
14,500 MSL.
Do IFR aircraft have separation service in Class E airspace?
Yes.
What is the default floor for Class E airspace?
1,200 feet AGL.
How are Class E airspace floors of 1,200 feet, 700 feet, other than 1,200 feet, and all the way to the ground represented?
1,200 feet: fuzzy side of the blue vignette
700 feet: fuzzy side of the magenta vignette
Other than 1,200 feet: fuzzy side of the blue vignette, with a number in it
To the ground: magenta dashed lines
How high up does Class E airspace go?
Up to, but not including, 18,000 MSL.
How is Class D airspace shown on a chart?
With a blue segmented line.
At a controlled airport, how far down does Class D airspace extend?
All the way down to the ground.
When is Class D airspace in effect for an airport? When it’s not Class D, what does it become?
Any time the associated control tower is in operation. After that, it turns into Class E airspace IF there is any automated weather reporting. If there is no weather reporting of any kind, it becomes Class G airspace.
What kind of separation service is always provided in Class D airspace?
Only separation service on the runway.
What is the standard shape of Class D airspace around an airport?
A circle of 5 statute miles in diameter, called the “core area”.
What is the ceiling of Class D airspace above an airport?
2,500 feet AGL.
How is the ceiling for Class D airspace above an airport shown on a chart?
Inside a blue segmented box.
What does a minus sign before the Class D ceiling mean?
It means that the airspace extends up to, but not including, that number.
If the extensions to Class D airspace extend beyond 2 nautical miles from the core area, what airspace class are they, and how are they represented on the chart?
Class E. Magenta dashed lines.
How are takeoffs and landings from a secondary, non-tower airport inside Class D airspace handled?
When landing, you must call the primary airport first, before entering the Class D airspace. When taking off, if you can’t reach the primary airport from the runway, call them as soon as possible.
When passing through Class D airspace, what must you do?
Notify the primary airport.
What are the lateral dimensions of Class D airspace based upon?
The instrument procedures for which the controlled airspace is established.
What do you need to enter Class C airspace?
You need to establish two way radio communications with approach control. This only means that they only need to repeat back your callsign to you.
You also need to have a 4096 code transponder, and an encoding altimeter, both in the Class C airspace, and above it to 10,000 feet.
What is the standard shape of Class C airspace?
An inner circle with a radius of 5 nautical miles from the primary airport, and up to 4,000 feet AGL. Outside of that is what’s known as the “outer circle”, from 1,200 feet AGL, to 4,000 feet AGL, with a 10 nautical mile radius. Though not charted, there is also an “outer area”, for another 10 nautical miles, within which you should call in before reaching Class C airspace.
How is Class B airspace identified on a chart?
Blue solid line.
What 5 requirements are necessary for entering Class B airspace?
- A specific clearance.
- Must be a private pilot, or a student pilot with the correct endorsement within the past 90 days.
- Must have communications radio.
- If VFR, no navigation equipment required.
- Transponder with Mode C.
What is the standard size and shape for Class B airspace?
There isn’t one. Each one is different; you have to look at it on a chart.
What happens to Class B airspace as you get away from the airport?
The floor rises.
What is the Mode C veil?
Within 30 nautical miles of a Class B airport, up to 10,000 MSL, you must have a Mode C transponder.
What is necessary for flying in Class A airspace?
- IFR rated.
- IFR equipped.
- IFR clearance, at altitude assigned by ATC.
- Transponder with Mode C.
Where is Class A airspace?
18,000 MSL to 60,000 MSL.
What is a restricted area? How is restricted area airspace shown on a chart?
An area with unusual, often invisible hazards such as aerial gunnery or guided missiles. It’s shown with an R followed by a dash and a number, and hash marks going around the sides.
What do you need to fly through a restricted area?
Permission from the controlling agency.
What is a warning area?
It’s exactly like a restricted area, but a warning area is out to sea, in international territory. Extremely dangerous, but there are no restrictions in flying through one.
What is an MOA?
A military operations area. They do military training, such as acrobatic or abrupt flight maneuvers.
What do you need to do to fly through an MOA?
Exercise extreme caution.
What is an alert area? How is it shown on a chart?
An area of concentrated student training, or “unusual aeronautical activity”. It’s shown by an area surrounded by a blue dotted line, and an A followed by a dash, followed by a number.
What is necessary to fly in an alert area?
Exercise extreme caution. Look outside the window, and maintain collision avoidance.
What’s a military training route? How are they marked?
A route where the military can fly at any speed, and close to the ground. They are marked with an IR (can be conducted in Instrument Conditions) or VR (can be conducted only in Visual Conditions), followed by a 3 or 4 digit number. If it’s a 4-digit number, the training activity is at 1,500 AGL or below. If it’s a 3-digit number, then the activity will generally be above 1,500 AGL. Speeds are often in excess of 250 knots.
What is the requested altitude for flying over a wildlife refuge?
2,000 AGL.
What does the distinct (non-fuzzy) side of a blue line mean?
Uncontrolled airspace (class G) from the surface to 14,500 feet.
What does the fuzzy side of a blue line mean?
Floor of Class E airspace 1,200 feet.
What does the distinct (non-fuzzy) side of a magenta line mean?
Floor of Class E airspace 1,200 feet.
What does the fuzzy side of a magenta line mean?
Floor of Class E airspace 700 feet.
What does a dashed magenta line mean?
Class E airspace all the way down to the surface.
Generally, how wide are airways?
8 nautical miles wide.
How are airways indicated on a chart?
Blue lines.
What are the altitudes for airways?
1,200 AGL to 17,999 MSL.
Why do they call it a 4096 code transponder?
Because there are 4 digits, and each can display 8 values (0-7). 8 to the 4th power is 4096.
What is a Mode S transponder?
An improved type of 4096 transponder.
What are the VFR weather minimums for Class C and D airspace?
- 3 statute miles visibility.
- 500 feet below clouds.
- 1,000 feet above clouds.
- 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.
Regardless of altitude.
What are the VFR weather minimums for Class B airspace?
- 3 statute miles visibility.
- Clear of clouds.
The controller is separating all traffic.
What are the VFR weather minimums for Class E airspace?
Below 10,000:
- 3 statute miles visibility.
- 500 feet below clouds.
- 1,000 feet above clouds.
- 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.
10,000 and above:
- 5 statute miles visibility.
- 1,000 feet below clouds.
- 1,000 feet above clouds.
- 1 statute mile horizontally from clouds.
What are the day and night VFR weather minimums for Class G airspace?
1,200 AGL OR BELOW:
Day:
-1 statute mile visibility.
-Clear of clouds.
Night:
- 3 statute miles visibility.
- 500 feet below clouds.
- 1,000 feet above clouds.
- 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.
MORE THAN 1,200 AGL, LESS THAN 10,000 MSL: Day: -1 statute mile visibility. -500 feet below clouds. -1,000 feet above clouds. -2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.
Night
- 3 statute miles visibility.
- 500 feet below clouds.
- 1,000 feet above clouds.
- 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.
10,000 MSL OR HIGHER:
- 5 statute miles visibility.
- 1,000 feet below clouds.
- 1,000 feet above clouds.
- 1 statute mile horizontally from clouds.
What are the VFR weather minimums for Class E airspace?
LESS THAN 10,000 MSL
- 3 statute miles visibility.
- 500 feet below clouds.
- 1,000 feet above clouds.
- 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.
10,000 MSL OR HIGHER
- 5 statute miles visibility.
- 1,000 feet below clouds.
- 1,000 feet above clouds.
- 1 statute mile horizontally from clouds.
What are the exceptions for night flying in Class G airspace?
If the visibility is less than 3 statute miles, but at least 1 statute mile, and you are clear of clouds, you may operate in the pattern within 1/2 mile of the airport.
What are the major aviation speed limits?
- No speed limit at and above 10,000 MSL.
- 250 KIAS below 10,000 MSL.
- In Class C or Class D airspace, within 4 nautical miles of the primary airport, within 2,500 feet AGL, it’s 200 KIAS.
What class airspace is an airway?
Class E.
When the rotating beacon is on at an airport, during the day, what does it signify?
That the weather is below basic VFR minimums.
What is special VFR?
It allows operation in controlled airspace, in weather conditions that are less than basic VFR minimums. It provides IFR separation.
How can you get special VFR?
It must be requested by the pilot, and approved by ATC.
Where is special VFR allowed?
Within the lateral boundaries of the surface areas of Class B, C, D, or E airspace, up to 10,000 MSL.
What are the requirements for special VFR?
- Clearance from appropriate ATC.
- 1 statute mile visibility and clear of clouds.
- If night, pilot and plane must be IFR.
If you’re unable to contact ATC yourself to request special VFR clearance, what can you do?
Contact the nearest FSS, and ask them to relay the request.
What will a chart indicate if special VFR is not allowed at an airport?
“No SVFR”.
What 3 documents do you need while operating as PIC or as a required crew member?
- Pilot certificate.
- Photo ID.
- Medical certificate.
What is an acceptable photo ID for identification purposes?
- Valid driver’s license.
- Federal or State issued ID card.
- US Armed Forces ID.
- Passport.
- Airport access ID.
Who has the right to inspect your required flight documents?
- FAA administrator.
- NTSB.
- Federal, state, or local law enforcement officers.
- TSA.
How many classes of medical certificates are there?
-3 classes: first, second, and third.
What is the difference between third class, and first and second class of medical certificates?
First and second have higher standards, and are required for various commercial operations.
What’s the minimum level of medical certificate required for private pilots?
Third class.
Which medical certificate is required to be captain of a commercial airliner?
First class.
When do third class medical certificates expire?
If you are less than 40 years old when it’s issued, it expires 60 months from the end of the month in which it was issued. If you are 40 or older, 24 months.
What is meant by “category”, “class”, and “type” of aircraft?
“Category” is a subdivision of aircraft:
- Airplane
- Rotorcraft
- Gliders
- Lighter than air
“Class” is a subdivision of category. For example, the four classes under airplane:
- Single-engine land.
- Single-engine sea.
- Multi-engine land.
- Multi-engine sea.
“Type” is a subdivision of class. Type refers to the exact make and model.
What’s a type rating? When is it required?
A type rating is a permission to fly a specific type of aircraft. If acting as PIC of an aircraft having a gross weight of more than 12,500 pounds, or any turbo-jet powered aircraft, a type rating is required.
What are the main certification categories of aircraft?
ARENU
Acrobatic Restricted Experimental Normal Utility
What are the certification classes of aircraft?
Airplane Helicopter Glider Hot air balloon Powered lift
What is an airworthiness certificate?
It’s like a birth certificate for an aircraft. It stays valid for as long as the aircraft is maintained and operated as required by regulations. It has no expiration date.
What is a registration certificate?
It shows the registered owner of the aircraft.
Where can you find the operating limitations?
- FAA approved flight manual.
- Approved manual material.
- Markings or placards on the instrument panel.
What does AROW stand for?
- Airworthiness certificate.
- Registration certificate.
- Operating limitations.
- Weight and balance information.
What is a “Restricted” category aircraft?
One that does some kind of work operation, like a crop duster or fire bomber. They are restricted to “where” they can fly. Normally, they cannot fly over a densely-populated area.
What’s a main limitation for operation of experimental aircraft?
They cannot be operated along a congested airway unless specifically authorized.
For an aircraft with an experimental airworthiness certificate, or a special light-sport aircraft, where are the operating limitations found?
Attached to the airworthiness certificate, as a separate document.
What are the requirements for towing gliders?
- At least 100 logged hours of flight time in the same category, class, and type (if required) of aircraft that you will use to tow a glider.
- Within last 12 months, made 3 actual or simulated glider tows while accompanied by a qualified pilot.
What is a “high-performance” airplane?
One with more than 200 HP.
What is a “complex” airplane?
One with retractable landing gear, adjustable flaps, and a controllable pitch propeller.
What do you need to act as PIC of either a high-performance or complex airplane?
- Ground and flight training from an authorized instructor, in either the high-performance or complex airplane. This can be done in an approved flight simulator.
- Separate endorsement for high-performance or complex airplane.
- These are not required if you have logged PIC time in either the high-performance or complex airplane before August 4, 1997.
Which expenses can a private pilot share with passengers?
- Fuel.
- Oil.
- Airport costs.
- Rental fees.
The pilot cannot pay less than an equal share.
Under what circumstances can a private pilot carry passengers who are paying for the flight?
If it’s a “charitable airlift”. The passengers are making a donation to a charitable organization for the flight, and the pilot is not being paid for the flight.
What do you need as a pilot, to be legally current?
- A logbook endorsement indicating that you have satisfactorily completed a flight review or a pilot proficiency check within the preceding 24 calendar months.
- If you want to carry passengers, you need at least 3 takeoffs and 3 landings in the same category, class, and type (if required) in the preceding 90 days.
- To carry passengers in a tailwheel airplane, the 3 takeoffs and landings must be to a full stop.
What are the currency requirements for carrying passengers at night?
3 takeoffs and landings at night, to a full stop, within the preceding 90 days. This also counts for day currency.
For currency regulations, and for the purpose of carrying passengers, what is the definition of night? What is the other definition of night time?
For currency: 1 hour after sunset, to 1 hour before sunrise. Otherwise: the end of evening civil twilight to the beginning of morning civil twilight.
Who is the final authority as the operation of an aircraft?
The pilot in command.
As pilot in command, what can you do in an emergency?
You can deviate from the FAR’s to handle the emergency. No written report is required unless requested.
What 4 preflight actions are required by regulations?
Familiarity with flight information, runway lengths, alternate airport, adequate fuel.
Whose responsibility is it to ensure that the aircraft is maintained in airworthy condition?
The owner/operator.
Whose responsibility is it to ensure that maintenance personnel make the appropriate entries in aircraft records (logbooks)?
The owner/operator.
How often do aircraft have to be inspected?
Every 12 calendar months. This is called the “annual inspection”. It’s good until the end of the 12th calendar month.
If an annual inspection was done on July 12th, when is the next annual inspection due?
July 31st of the following year.
What must the aircraft maintenance records show?
- Completion of the annual inspection.
- The date of the inspection.
- That the aircraft was returned to service by whoever it was that did the inspection.
What additional maintenance inspections are required?
100-hour inspections for rental aircraft that are also used for flight instruction, based on tach readings.
By how many hours can you exceed the 100-hour inspection limit?
By 10 hours, but only if it’s necessary to reach a place where the inspection can be done. This extra time gets deducted from when the next 100-hour inspection is due. The inspections are still considered “due” at 100 hours from the last inspection, not 110.
What is an airworthiness directive?
Mandatory orders issued by the FAA to correct safety issues with aircraft. They must be recorded in the aircraft maintenance records (logbook).
Can a pilot operate an aircraft that is not in compliance with an airworthiness directive?
Yes, if it’s specifically allowed by the airworthiness directive.
What needs to be done to an aircraft after an alteration that might substantially affect an aircraft’s operation in flight?
It needs to be test-flown by an appropriately-rated pilot (at least a private pilot), and approved for return to service, before passengers are carried.
What’s the FAA definition of preventive maintenance?
Simple or preservation operations, and the replacement of small standard parts that do not involve any complex assembly operations. Pilots can perform these on their own aircraft.
If you do preventive maintenance on an aircraft, what paperwork do you have to fill out?
In the aircraft maintenance records, you must enter:
- signature
- certificate number
- kind of certificate held by person approving the work
- description of the work
Where is an operable 4096-code transponder with encoding altimeter required?
- Class A airspace
- Class B airspace (and within 30 miles of primary Class B airport)
- Class C airspace
What are the inspection and testing requirements for transponders?
A transponder cannot be used unless it has been tested and inspected within the preceding 24 calendar months.
If a transponder inspection was performed on September 1st, 2006, when is the next inspection due?
September 30th, 2008.
Who has the right-of-way over all other traffic?
An aircraft in distress.
If two aircraft are approaching each other head on, how should they avoid each other?
Turn right (“give way” to the right). Aircraft category/class/type does not matter.
If two aircraft of the same category are converging (not head on), which one gives way?
The one on the left. So, the aircraft on the right has the right of way.
If two aircraft of different categories are converging, who has the right of way?
The least maneuverable category.
If an airplane and a helicopter are converging, who has the right of way?
The one on the right. Airplanes and helicopters are considered equally maneuverable.
What is the right of way of aircraft refueling or towing another aircraft?
They have the right of way over all other engine-driven aircraft.
If an aircraft is refueling another aircraft, and a glider is converging, who has the right of way?
The glider, because it’s not engine-driven.
If a glider and an airship are converging, who has the right of way?
The glider, because an airship is engine-driven, and a glider is not.
What are the lighting requirements for aircraft operated at night?
They must display lighted position lights from sunset to sunrise, except in Alaska.
What are the colors of night lights on an aircraft?
Right wing is steady green, left wing is steady red, tail is steady white, top or bottom is flashing red light (anti-collision light).
From where are the wingtip lights on aircraft visible?
The front or the side. You can’t see them from behind the aircraft.
If you see a flashing red light and a white light on an aircraft at night, how is it positioned?
It’s flying away from you, because you can’t see the wingtip lights.
If you see a steady red light, a steady green light, and a steady white light on an aircraft at night, how is it positioned?
It’s coming right at you.
How is right of way handled when aircraft are approaching to land?
The aircraft at the lower altitude has the right of way. However, you can’t take advantage of this rule to overtake someone.
You are in a seaplane, and you have landed, and you and a motorboat are converging. Who has the right of way?
The vehicle on the right has the right of way.
When departing an uncontrolled airport, with what must you comply?
You must comply with any FAA traffic pattern established for the airport.
What should you do prior to starting any maneuver?
Scan the area for collision avoidance.
What should you do when climbing or descending on an airway?
Execute gentle banks to the left or right, to scan for traffic.
Under what circumstances is formation flight allowed?
Under prior arrangement with the pilot in command of each aircraft.
What exactly does an ATC clearance provide?
An authorization to proceed under specified traffic conditions in controlled airspace.
What are two specific things that ATC clearances do NOT provide?
- Separation.
- Priority over other traffic.
When given a clearance to taxi to a runway, what will you need to read back?
- The route, and the number of the assigned runway.
- If crossing another runway enroute, you must read back the instructions to cross or hold short, and that runway number.
When landing at a controlled airport, when do you contact ground control?
Only when the tower tells you to do so. Do not automatically contact ground control when you turn off the runway. The tower may need to get you across an active runway before handing you off to ground.
Under what circumstances can you deviate from a clearance?
- You get an amended clearance.
- You have an emergency.
- You’re responding to a TCAS resolution advisory.
What is TCAS?
- Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System.
- Comes in two flavors: TCAS I and TCAS II.
- They give you traffic advisories when an aircraft is perceived as a traffic thread.
How is TCAS I different from TCAS II?
TCAS I gives you an audible traffic advisory, whereas TCAS II tells you whether to climb or descend, and how much (a resolution advisory).
What happens when two converging aircraft have TCAS II units?
The two separate units will coordinate the resolution maneuvers.
If you deviate from an ATC clearance because of a resolution advisory, what do you communicate to ATC?
Advise ATC of your deviation ASAP, and return to your assigned altitude after the traffic has passed.
If, during an emergency, you deviate from an ATC instruction, AND are given priority, what must you do?
You must file a detailed written report within 48 hours, to the chief of the ATC facility, IF THEY ASK FOR THE REPORT, even if no regulation has been violated.
If ATC gives you a clearance to a runway, can you cross an intersecting runway to get there?
No. You must receive specific instructions to cross or hold short of the intersecting runway.
When should pilots state their position on the airport when calling the tower for takeoff?
When departing from a runway intersection.
What procedures do you follow if you are landing at a controlled airport, and you either don’t have a radio, or your radio is inoperable?
- Observe the traffic flow.
- Enter the pattern.
- Look for a light signal; a signal from the light gun in the control tower.
What does a flashing white light from a light gun mean, while you are on the ground?
Return to the starting point on the airport.
While on the ground and taxiing, what does a flashing green light from a light gun mean?
Cleared to taxi.
While in the air, approaching to land, you see a steady green light from the light gun. What does it mean?
Cleared to land.
While in the air, approaching to land, you see a steady red light from the light gun. What does it mean?
Give way to other aircraft, and continue circling. Do not land.
While in the air, approaching to land, you see a flashing red light from the light gun. What does it mean?
The airport is unsafe for landing. Abandon the approach.
While in the air, you see an alternating red and green light from the light gun. What does it mean?
Exercise extreme caution. Do what ever you were going to do, but very carefully.
While in the air, approaching to land, you see an alternating red and green light, followed by a flashing red light from the light gun. What does it mean?
- Exercise extreme caution.
- The airport is unsafe for landing; abandon the approach.
Describe the procedures for flying at a specific altitude depending on heading.
While flying VFR in level flight, more than 3,000 feet AGL:
- Magnetic course of 0° through 179° (north or eastbound), fly an odd altitude plus 500 feet.
- Magnetic course of 180° through 359° (south or westbound), fly an even altitude plus 500 feet.
ONE: Odd North East.
How do you set your altimeter if you don’t have a current local altimeter setting?
Enter the departing airport elevation on your altimeter, and use the resulting setting.
When flying at 18,000 MSL or above, what do you set your altimeter setting to?
29.92.
What is the maximum airspeed in Class B airspace, if you are within 4 nautical miles of the primary airport and within 2,500 feet AGL?
250 KIAS.
What is the maximum speed UNDER Class B airspace?
200 KIAS.
When flying in a VFR corridor through Class B airspace, what is the maximum airspeed?
200 KIAS.
When do flight crew members have to be at their station?
Takeoff, landing, and enroute, unless attending to their duties or physiological needs.
When do flight crew members have to have their seatbelts fastened?
Whenever they are at their station: takeoff, landing, and enroute.
When must flight crew members have their shoulder harnesses fastened?
During takeoff and landing.
Do flight crew members have to have their seat belts or shoulder harnesses on during taxiing?
No.
When must passengers wear both their seat belt and shoulder harness?
During taxi, takeoff, and landing.
When do passengers NOT have to wear seat belts or shoulder harnesses?
Enroute.
To whom do the seat belt and shoulder harness rules NOT apply?
Children under 2 years old, who are being held by an adult, and skydivers.
What must the PIC brief the passengers about?
- How to use the seat belts and shoulder harnesses.
- The requirement to wear seat belts and shoulder harnesses during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
What are the rules concerning the usage of supplemental oxygen?
These only apply to unpressurized aircraft:
- Above 12,500 MSL, up to and including 14,000 MSL, for more than 30 minutes, the crew must use supplemental oxygen.
- At and below 12,500 MSL, the crew does not have to use oxygen at all.
- Above 14,000 MSL, the crew must use oxygen.
- Above 15,000 MSL, passengers have to be provided with supplemental oxygen; they don’t have to use it.
Under what circumstances can you make an emergency landing?
Without undue hazards to persons or property.
What is the minimum altitude for flying over a non-congested area?
500 feet AGL.
What is the minimum altitude for flying over open water or a sparsely populated area?
500 feet away from any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
What is the minimum altitude for flying over a congested area?
1,000 feet of clearance above the highest obstacle that is within a 2,000 foot radius of your aircraft.
On what frequency do older analog ELTs transmit, and who monitors them?
121.5 and 243.0. Monitored by ATC and other aircraft.
What sets off older analog ELTs?
G-forces.
What frequency do newer digital ELTs transmit, and who monitors them?
121.5 and 406. 406 is monitored by satellite.
