1. If an altimeter setting is not available before flight, to which altitude should the pilot adjust the altimeter?
A) The elevation of the nearest airport corrected to mean sea level.
B) The elevation of the departure area.
C) Pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature.

2. What is true altitude?
A) The vertical distance of the aircraft above sea level.
B) The vertical distance of the aircraft above the surface.
C) The height above the standard datum plane.

3. To act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers, the pilot must have made at least three takeoffs and three landings in an aircraft of the same category, class, and if a type rating is required, of the same type, within the preceding
A) 90 days.
B) 12 calendar months.
C) 24 calendar months.

4. If a recreational or private pilot had a flight review on August 8, this year, when is the next flight review required?
A) August 8, next year.
B) August 31, one year later.
C) August 31, two years later.

5. In addition to a valid airworthiness certificate, what documents or records must be aboard an aircraft during flight?
A) Aircraft engine and airframe logbooks, and owner’s manual.
B) Radio operator’s permit, and repair and alteration forms.
C) Operating limitations and registration certificate.

6. Where may an aircraft’s operating limitations be found?
A) On the airworthiness certificate.
B) In the current, FAA-approved flight manual, approved manual material, markings and placards, or any combination thereof.
C) In the aircraft airframe and engine logbooks.

Answers:

1. The correct answer is B. According to FAR 91.121, if an altimeter setting is not available, set your altimeter to read the elevation of the departure airport. For example, if your airport’s elevation is 253 feet, then adjust the knob on your altimeter so that it reads 253 feet. This setting will suffice until you can get an altimeter setting from ATC or another airport along your route of flight. Answer A is incorrect because you are required to use the elevation of your departure airport. Answer C is incorrect because it refers to the definition of density altitude.

2. The correct answer is A. The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge defines true altitude as the vertical distance of the aircraft above sea level. It is also known as mean sea level (msl). This allows aircraft in flight to have a common altitude reference rather than their individual altitude above the surface. Answer B defines absolute altitude, or above ground level (agl). Answer C is the definition of pressure altitude.

3. The correct answer is A. According to FAR 61.57, you must have at least three landings in the preceding 90 days as the sole manipulator of the controls in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if required) in order to legally act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers. Of course, flying more often than this enhances your ability to fly safely.

4. The correct answer is C. According to FAR 61.56, in order to act as pilot in command of an aircraft you must have completed a flight review within the past 24 calendar months. The term calendar month means that you have until the end of the designated month to meet the regulatory requirement. In this case, even though you completed the previous flight review in early August, you have until the last day of August, 24 months later, to complete the flight review. Answers A and B are incorrect because they are only one year from the last flight review.

5. The correct answer is C. FAR 91.9 requires a current and approved airplane flight manual onboard the aircraft in order to legally operate the aircraft. Additionally, FAR 91.203 requires that you have both current airworthiness and registration certificates. Answer A is incorrect because you are not required to carry the maintenance logs; you do have to make them available to appropriate officials as requested. Answer B is incorrect because a radio operator’s permit is only required for international flights.

6. The correct answer is B. Not only are they found in these sources, but also, according to FAR 91.9, no person may operate an aircraft without complying with the operating limitations in the FAA-approved flight manual, markings, and placards. Answers A and C are incorrect because neither the airworthiness certificate nor the maintenance logs contain the aircraft’s official operating limitations.

Answers are researched by AOPA’s Pilot Information Center. Call the specialists between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday (800-USA-AOPA).