Checkride-ready
See how you measure up to FAA standards with these questions from the AOPA Pilot Information Center.
- Unless otherwise authorized, what is the maximum indicated airspeed at which a person may operate an aircraft below 10,000 feet msl?
A. 288 knots.
B. 250 knots.
C. 200 knots. - A third class medical certificate is issued to a 38-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, 3 years later.
B. August 31, 3 years later.
C. August 31, 5 years later. - How soon after a conviction for driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs must it be reported to the FAA’s Civil Aviation Security Division?
A. No later than 30 working days after the motor vehicle action.
B. Upon renewal of medical certificate.
C. No later than 60 days after the motor vehicle action. - An aircraft’s annual inspection was performed on July 3, this year. The next annual inspection will be due no later than
A. June 30, next year.
B. July 31, next year.
C. July 3, next year. - Normal VFR operations in Class D airspace with an operating control tower require the ceiling and visibility to be at least
A. 2,500 feet and 3 miles.
B. 1,000 feet and 3 miles.
C. 1,000 feet and 1 mile.
Ace
Can you correctly answer these questions from retired TWA captain and 28,000-hour pilot Barry Schiff?
- What is the minimum safe altitude above the ground when overflying an area designated on a sectional chart by a parachute symbol?
- True or false? A VFR pilot in a small airplane is approaching an exceptionally long runway equipped with VASI (visual approach slope indicator) at a tower-controlled airport. He may descend at will below the glideslope indicated by the VASI.
- The centrifugal force acting on each propeller blade of a typical general aviation airplane during takeoff is closest to
A. 400 pounds.
B. 4,000 pounds.
C. 40,000 pounds.
D. 400,000 pounds. - The expression, true virgins make dull company, is a mnemonic used to help pilots remember the sequence of navigational calculations involving true, variation, magnetic, deviation, and compass. What is the mnemonic used to recall the reverse order of these calculations?
- Generally speaking, which types of piston engines should be leaned for takeoff from airports at high density altitudes and which should not?
Illustrations by Ryan Snook
Final Exam Answers
- The correct answer is B. The regulation notes the maximum indicated airspeed, as read from the airspeed indicator, is 250 knots; the actual groundspeed realized is not regulated. (FAR 91.117[a])
- The correct answer is C. Although the pilot will turn 40 before the next medical examination is required, this current one is valid for 60 months as the pilot was under the age of 40 when it was issued. (FAR 61.23[d])
- The correct answer is C. An important point here, from the regulation—each person holding a certificate issued under this part shall provide a written report of each motor vehicle action. There are thousands of rusty pilots who have not exercised their pilot privileges for years, and some for decades. Do not forget, just because you are inactive does not exempt you from the reporting requirement, since you hold a pilot certificate. (FAR 61.15[e])
- The correct answer is B. Because the annual inspection regulation states 12 calendar months, it is valid until the last day of the same month in which it was performed, but one year hence. If the inspection is delayed until August, in this example, then August one year hence becomes the new inspection month. (FAR 91.409[a])
- The correct answer is B. FAR 91.155(a) requires three statute miles of flight visibility and FAR 91.155(c) states that no person may operate an aircraft beneath the ceiling under VFR within the lateral boundaries of controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport (which describes Class D in this question) when the ceiling is less than 1,000 feet.
- There is none (except when operating in Class A, B, or C airspace and being advised by air traffic control about skydiving operations). Otherwise, it is suggested that pilots give parachute-jumping areas a wide berth.
- False. A pilot may not descend below the glideslope as defined by the VASI at a tower-controlled airport unless a lower altitude is necessary for a safe landing.
- The correct answer is C. This should inspire pilots to thoroughly inspect propellers before flight.
- There are two: Can ducks make vertical turns? and Can dead men vote twice?
- In general, normally aspirated engines should be leaned for takeoff and turbocharged engines should not. The pilot’s operating handbook, however, is the final authority regarding this subject.
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