Checkride-ready
See how you measure up to FAA standards with these questions from the AOPA Pilot Information Center.
- If an unstable air mass is forced upward, what type clouds can be expected?
A. Stratus clouds with considerable associated turbulence.
B. Stratus clouds with little vertical development.
C. Clouds with considerable vertical development and associated turbulence. - If air traffic control advises that radar service is terminated when the pilot is departing Class C airspace, the transponder should be set to code
A. 4096.
B. 1200.
C. 0000. - How soon after the conviction for driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs should it be reported to the FAA’s Civil Aviation Security Division?
A. No later than 30 working days after the motor vehicle action.
B. No later than 60 days after the motor vehicle action.
C. Required to be reported upon renewal of medical certificate. - A state of temporary confusion resulting from misleading information being sent to the brain by various sensory organs is defined as
A. spatial disorientation.
B. hypoxia.
C. hyperventilation. - Completion of an annual inspection and the approval to return the aircraft to service should always be indicated by
A. an appropriate notation in the aircraft maintenance records.
B. an inspection sticker placed on the instrument panel that lists the annual inspection completion date.
C. the relicensing date on the registration certificate.
Ace
Can you correctly answer these questions from retired TWA captain and 28,000-hour pilot Barry Schiff?
- Basic VFR minimums when above 10,000 feet msl require a minimum visibility of _____; minimum distance from clouds is _____ feet above, _____ feet below, and _____ feet horizontally.
- True or false? The shortest airplane runway for which an instrument approach may be approved is 2,200 feet.
- The most important reason not to use carburetor heat while taxiing is that this can
A. damage the engine.
B. cause excessive oil temperature.
C. cause an excessively lean mixture.
D. cause an excessively rich mixture. - True or false? During stabilized cruise flight on a constant heading, the advancing rotor blade of a helicopter has more airspeed and, therefore, creates more lift than the retreating blade.
- Pilots are advised to abide by the Five Cs when lost. What are the Five Cs, and can you name them in their proper sequence?
Final Exam Answers
- The correct answer is C. Cumulus, towering cumulus, and cumulonimbus clouds are all formed by an unstable air mass rising. Visibility is generally good outside of any thunderstorm, and turbulence should be expected. Stratus clouds are indicative of smooth air and generally little to no turbulence. (Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 12)
- The correct answer is B. A transponder code comprises a four-number combination, each number ranging from 0 through 7, giving 4,096 possible discrete codes. 1200 is the standard code when flying VFR, and the proper code to use after ATC terminates radar service. (Aeronautical Information Manual 4-1-20)
- The correct answer is B. Many pilots fear this will cause repercussions from the FAA and may hesitate to report. However, not reporting a motor vehicle action conviction would be a violation of this regulation and could put the pilot at risk of enforcement action. (FAR 61.15)
- The correct answer is A. Spatial disorientation specifically refers to the lack of orientation with regard to the position, attitude, or movement of the aircraft in space. A pilot can reduce susceptibility to disorienting sensory input through training and awareness, and learning to rely on the flight instruments. (Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 17)
- The correct answer is A. Upon completing a successful annual inspection, the mechanic should note the work that was done and include a statement of airworthiness in a maintenance logbook endorsement. (FAR 43.11)
- 5 statute miles; 1,000 feet; 1,000 feet; and 5,280 feet (1 sm).
- False. There is no minimum runway length specified for an instrument approach. Runway 3 at Andover, New Jersey, for example, is served by RNAV and VOR-A approaches and is only 1,981 feet long.
- The correct answer is A. The use of carburetor heat allows induction air to bypass the air filter. This allows unfiltered air containing dirt and other contaminants from the ground to enter the engine and possibly cause damage.
- False. If this were so, the rotor disk would be unbalanced, and the excess lift on the side of the advancing blade would cause the helicopter to roll forcefully toward the retreating rotor blade.
- Climb, Communicate, Confess, Comply, and Conserve (fuel).
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