1. Moist, stable air flowing upslope can be expected to
A) produce stratus type clouds.
B) cause showers and thunderstorms.
C) develop convective turbulence.

2. An operable 4096-code transponder with an encoding altimeter is required in which airspace?
A) Class A, Class B (and within 30 miles of the Class B primary airport), and Class C.
B) Class D and Class E (below 10,000 feet msl).
C) Class D and Class G (below 10,000 feet msl).

3. 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.

4. A third class medical certificate is issued to a 36-year-old pilot on August 10, this year. To exercise the privileges of a private pilot certificate, the medical certificate will be valid until midnight on
A) August 10, three years later.
B) August 31, five years later.
C) August 31, three years later.

5. What feature is associated with a temperature inversion?
A) A stable layer of air.
B) An unstable layer of air.
C) Chinook winds on mountain slopes.

6. What aircraft inspections are required for rental aircraft that are also used for flight instruction?
A) Annual condition and 100-hour inspections.
B) Biannual condition and 100-hour inspections.
C) Annual condition and 50-hour inspections.

7. Which preflight action is specifically required of the pilot prior to each flight?
A) Check the aircraft logbooks for appropriate entries.
B) Become familiar with all available information concerning the flight.
C) Review wake turbulence avoidance procedures.

8. When an ATC clearance has been obtained, no pilot in command may deviate from that clearance unless that pilot obtains an amended clearance. The one exception to this regulation is
A) when the clearance states, “at pilot’s discretion.”
B) an emergency.
C) if the clearance contains a restriction.

Answers:

1. Answer A is correct. Stable air flowing up a slope will create stratus type clouds as the air is cooled. Thunderstorms form as a result of unstable air, and any turbulence associated with convection indicates unstable air must be present.

2. Answer A is correct. FAR 91.215 requires an operable transponder in Class A, Class B (and within 30nm of the Class B primary airport), and Class C. No transponder is required in Class D, Class E, or Class G airspace.

3. Answer B is correct. FAR 91.9 requires the operating limitations to be contained within the FAA-approved flight manual, approved materials, markings and placards, or a combination of the above. The aircraft’s airworthiness certificate will only be relevant to show when the aircraft became airworthy and in what class or classes flight is approved. Aircraft logbooks are a record of maintenance, and have no indication of limitations.

4. Answer B is correct. The duration of a third class medical certificate issued to a private pilot prior to the age of 40 is valid for five years and will expire at the end of the month of issuance.

5. Answer A is correct. With a temperature inversion the temperature increases with height. Warmer air will only rise to the height where the surrounding air is at the same temperature, thus leading to stable air.

6. Answer A is correct. In addition to an annual inspection, aircraft flown for hire and in flight instruction are also required to have 100-hour inspections per FAR 91.409. The regulation allows for the aircraft to be flown up to 10 hours beyond the 100-hour interval in order to position it to a place where the inspection can be completed. This is why flight school aircraft sometime go beyond the 100-hour limit.

7. Answer B is correct. The pilot in command is required to become familiar with all information regarding the flight as referenced in FAR 91.103. Although options A and C are always a good idea, they are not specifically referenced in FAR 91.103.

8. Answer B is correct. Unless an amended clearance is obtained, the only deviation allowed is when an emergency exists. Pilot’s discretion is a type of clearance, and a clearance with a restriction is, again, a type of clearance.