Could You Pass an FAA Pilot Exam?

By: Todd Betzold
Image: Image Source / DigitalVision / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Imagine having full control over an airplane. Would you be able to handle it? Of course, all of that would first be determined when you take the FAA pilot exam. You are now ready to get certified, but exams freak you out. Well, here is a perfect way to get some practice down and study up for that exam.

This quiz will not only test you on weather conditions you should look out for and how to handle them, but it's also going to test you on radar services and regulations for the Federal Aviation Administration. You'll need to know how humidity affects an aircraft's performance or who is responsible for putting entries into the maintenance record. Right now, you may be nervous about the exam and how you will do, but eventually, this will all be second nature to you. In the meantime, you need to get studying, as you want to make sure you will ace this exam and your pilot career will be taking off! To do so, make sure you answer all the questions in this quiz and see where you currently stand on things. Can you pass that FAA pilot exam the first time around?

What does FAA stand for?

FAA stands for Federal Aviation Administration. In the United States, it is the national authority when it comes to the rules and regulations of civil aviation.

For an aircraft, what is the vertical distance above the ground called?

This can also be referred to as radar height or the number of feet above ground level (AGL). The absolute altitude is measured using a radar altimeter.

What is the primary purpose of an air traffic controller?

ATCs are stationed on the ground in control towers and are constantly monitoring the airspace assigned to them. They also communicate with pilots by radio, giving them directions.

How often is a nose-to-tail inspection of the aircraft needed?

An inspection of an airplane is required every 12 months. This is an in-depth, nose-to-tail inspection.

You experience an envelope over-temperature condition. As the pilot, what is the most appropriate course of action to take?

If a caution is noticed while flying, you should always land as soon as you can. Once on the ground, turn off the engine, according to procedures for that aircraft.

What are the goods carried on an airplane called?

Cargo is what you call the goods carried on an airplane. There are also cargo aircraft, which are fixed-wing aircraft that are specifically designed to carry cargo.

To increase the altitude of the plane, what is the maneuver called?

When an aircraft is increasing in altitude, it is called the climb. This is a typical phase in a flight, as it happens after takeoff and the aircraft increases in altitude to a predetermined level.

Which of the following is true for a controlled airspace?

A controlled airspace is controlled by ATC services and is a certain area of the sky. In this airspace, the controllers direct the planes to keep routes safe and the planes must get clearance before entering. The aircraft must be equipped to national regulations and the pilot must have proper qualifications.

When thinking of the freezing levels and probable icing areas aloft, pilots should reference what?

Sticking to the local forecast will tell the pilot the general weather expectation for that specific area. The weather is going to have an affect on your flight, and weather indications will report the conditions while the plane is aloft.

The aircraft's altitude is measured by which cockpit instrument?

The altimeter measures the aircraft's altitude. It works by calculating the altitude based on the current air pressure using an aneroid barometer.

Before entering which class of airspace does the pilot have to establish two-way radio communication with the Air Traffic Control facility that has jurisdiction in that area?

Before an airplane enters Class C airspace, the controller must have been contacted by radio. For Class B, you must have clearance before even entering the airspace.

One knot is equal to what?

A knot is a unit of speed. It is equal to one nautical mile, or about 1.15 miles per hour.

The compressed hot air that is produced by the engine of the plane is called _________.

Bleed air is compressed hot air from the engine when it is in operation. This comes in handy, though, as bleed air is used in high pressure for de-icing and heating the plane.

On the runway, what do they call the part before the takeoff area that is kept clear?

The emergency overrun was put in place to help minimize aircraft damage if it was ever unable to stop. The area is kept clear for this purpose.

How does the FAA define nighttime?

Twilight is basically the time before sunrise and after sunset. This is when the atmosphere is not fully lit by the sun, as it is not fully dark or fully lit.

What is a wingless aircraft called?

An autogyro is also known as a gyroplane, and it is very similar to a helicopter. While it is wingless, it does have unpowered rotary blades that do rotate because of air speed and this helps develop lift.

If you are working as the Pilot in Command on a flight, what document(s) must be in your possession?

If you are the Pilot in Command of a flight, then you need two forms to operate that plane. The forms needed are your current pilot certificate and medical certificate.

What is the downward inclination of an aircraft called?

Descent means the action of going down, falling or dropping. For an airplane, this would happen any time during a flight that the aircraft decreases altitude.

Who has the final authority when it comes to the operation of an aircraft?

Since the pilot in command is operating that aircraft, they are directly responsible for the plane and have the final authority. When an emergency takes place, they can deviate from the rules to make sure the emergency is handled.

Which airspace class prohibits aerobatic flight?

Aerobatic flights in airspace rules and regulations are stated in FAR's 91.303. While there are waivers for airshows, the main requirement to conduct aerobatic flights is to keep the flight higher than 1500 feet AGL.

What is a squawk code?

Each aircraft is assigned a four-digit squawk code, which they put into the transponder aboard the plane. This code helps identify them if they need to contact the ATC.

What is the term used when a plane loses all propulsive power and a forced landing is needed because the propeller and engine stopped?

Deadstick is based on a wooden propeller on a plane. When the plane is without power, that means that wooden propeller is just a "dead stick."

If the ground speed is 147 knots, how far will an airplane travel in 8 minutes?

To figure this one out, you would divide the 147 knots by 60 to get the number of NM traveled in one minute, which is 2.45. From there, you multiply that by the number of minutes the plane will travel, which would be 8 times 2.45 NM and that equals 19.6 NM.

Who controls a RAPCON?

A RAPCON is a Radar Approach Control Facility and can be found at airport terminals that use both non-radar and radar service to planes. They are normally near civil and military airports and either the FAA, military or both control them.

During an emergency landing for a single-engine airplane, what does a constant glide speed allow for?

The best glide distances are listed in the Pilot Operating Handbook. From there, you would determine the constant descent angle and you will know how far the plane will glide before it lands.

What is the degree of curve in an airfoil called?

Camber is the slightly convex or arched shape of a road or other horizontal surface. For an aircraft, it measures the degree of curve in an airfoil.

If the pilots of an airplane and a glider are making their way to a head-on collision, which actions should they take?

When it comes to approaching head-on, right of way rules don't matter of the type of aircraft. Both would need to alter their heading to the right.

After an accident, the operator of an aircraft has how long to file an NTSB accident report?

To be sure a report is needed, you should contact NTSB. They have requirements in place that would define whether the circumstances were an accident or an incident.

How long are third class medical certificates good for?

Under new regulations, pilots under 40 years old getting a third class medical certificate will have it remain good for a maximum of 60 months, up from 36 previously. Any pilots over 40 years would have to renew every 24 months.

On a flight, who is responsible for the pre-takeoff briefing of passengers?

The Pilot in Command is responsible for every action in an aircraft. They are to give all briefings and information to the passengers.

The primary use of ailerons is what?

When it comes to an aircraft, the ailerons are used to help give it that rolling motion. They are located on the outboard portion of a wing, and as the right aileron is deflected upward, the left would be deflected downward.

If you have a weight of 800 pounds for the aerotow of a glider, at which weight would safety links be required at each end of the rope for the following towrope tensile strengths?

Safety links are required at both ends of the rope when the towrope tensile strength comes in at twice the weight of the glider. For this one, the glider weighs 800 pounds, so the rope at 1,750 pounds is over twice that weight and would need safety links on both ends.

After a flight is done, what do you call the information that is filed with the relevant ATC authority?

The flight plan is information about that flight that needs to be filed with the proper ATC authority. This plan includes the duration of the flight, the route taken and the destination.

Free balloons that float, dirigibles and blimps can be classified as what?

LTA craft stands for lighter-than-air craft. Lighter than air usually refers to certain materials that are lighter than air, like gases.

What is the instrument called that controls the electrical power to all electronic navigation in an airplane?

The avionics master switch controls electrical power for an aircraft. For aircraft built before the late 1970s, these switches were probably not included in the panel.

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