Checkride-ready
See how you measure up to FAA standards with these questions from the AOPA Pilot Information Center.
1. One weather phenomenon that will always occur when flying across a front is a change in the
A. stability of the air mass.
B. wind direction.
C. type of precipitation.
2. In addition to other preflight actions for a VFR flight away from the vicinity of the departure airport, regulations specifically require the pilot in command to
A. determine runway lengths at airports of intended use and the aircraft’s takeoff and landing distance data.
B. review traffic control light signal procedures.
C. check the accuracy of the navigation equipment and the emergency locator transmitter (ELT).
3. An ATC radar facility issues the following advisory to a pilot flying at 3,000 feet on a heading of 360 degrees: ‘’TRAFFIC 6 O’CLOCK, 5 MILES, 3,000 FEET, SOUTHBOUND...’’ What is wrong with this advisory?
A. The altitude must be given before the distance.
B. The phrase ‘opposite direction’ must be used.
C. ATC would never issue this type of advisory.
4. A special VFR clearance authorizes the pilot of an aircraft to operate VFR while within Class D airspace when the visibility is
A. less than 1 mile and the ceiling is less than 1,000 feet.
B. at least 3 miles and the aircraft can remain clear of clouds.
C. at least 1 mile and the aircraft can remain clear of clouds.
5. What should an owner or operator know about airworthiness directives (ADs)?
A. For informational purposes only.
B. They are voluntary.
C. They are mandatory.
Ace
Can you correctly answer these questions from retired TWA captain and 28,000-hour pilot Barry Schiff?
6. True or false? A flashlight (but not spare batteries) is required equipment aboard an aircraft being flown at night by a private pilot.
7. Many engine charts show that the “best power” of a reciprocating engine is obtained with a slightly rich mixture (an air-to-fuel ratio, by weight, of approximately 12.5 to 1). What is meant by the term “best power?”
8. Which of the following does not belong?
A. static
B. dynamic
C. viscous
D. reverted rubber
9. The pilot of a propeller-driven airplane (piston or turboprop) wants to fly for maximum range. Ignoring the effect of climbing and winds aloft, why should he select a relatively high altitude instead of a relatively low one?
10. What is the difference between a dorsal fin and a ventral fin?
Final Exam Answers
1. The correct answer is B. The operative phrase being “will always occur,” and that is a change in the wind direction. Fronts can be dry with no precipitation, or benign with no air mass stability change, but the wind direction will always shift. (Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, page 12-21)
2. The correct answer is A. Additionally, for a flight not in the vicinity of an airport, the PIC must become familiar with weather reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, alternatives available if the planned flight cannot be completed, and any known traffic delays of which the pilot in command has been advised by ATC. (FAR 91.103)
3. The correct answer is C. Although the traffic is at the same altitude, it is also pretty far behind your aircraft and moving further away in the opposite direction. It’s not actually a traffic conflict and no advisory is needed.
4. The correct answer is C. Special VFR must be conducted with an ATC clearance, clear of clouds, and with at least 1 statute mile visibility for airplanes. (FAR 91.157)
5. The correct answer is C. Airworthiness directives are in Part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, are legally enforceable rules, and are mandatory to comply with. According to FAR 39.7, anyone who operates an aircraft that does not meet the requirements of an applicable airworthiness directive is in violation of Part 39.
6. False. Although a flashlight is not required for night flight, operating without one would be foolish.
7. An engine develops best power when it produces the greatest amount of power that can be obtained at a given power setting. Air racers take note: Varying mixture varies power output for a given power setting.
8. The correct answer is A. There are three types of hydroplaning: dynamic, viscous, and reverted rubber. There is no such thing as static hydroplaning.
9. Maximum range occurs at a specific and relatively slow calibrated airspeed (close to the speed for best glide). The higher one flies at such an airspeed, the greater will be the true airspeed and the shorter will be the flight.
10. A dorsal fin is installed on the top of a fuselage, and a ventral fin is located on the bottom. The fin on the top of a shark, therefore, is a dorsal fin, not a ventral fin. (Memory aid: d comes before v in the alphabet.)
