Checkride ready

1. What minimum radio equipment is required for operation within Class B airspace?

A. Two-way radio communications equipment, a 4096-code transponder, an encoding altimeter, and ADS-B Out.
B. Two-way radio communications equipment, a 4096-code transponder, and an encoding altimeter.
C. Two-way radio communications equipment, a 4096-code transponder, and DME.

2. A second class medical certificate is issued to a 38-year-old pilot on March 10, this year. To exercise the privileges of a private pilot certificate, the medical certificate will be valid until midnight on

A. September 30, this year.
B. March 31, two years hence.
C. March 31, five years hence.

3. To act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers, a pilot must show by logbook, or other flight record, the performance of three takeoffs and three landings within the preceding

A. six calendar months.
B. 90 days.
C. three months.

4. A pilot owns a 1952 Piper Super Cub equipped with a red rotating beacon but no position lights. Which statement is true regarding night flight in this airplane?

A. Night flying is prohibited.
B. Since the airplane was manufactured prior to 1979, night flight is permitted without position lights.
C. Limited night flying from sunset to the end of evening civil twilight is possible.

5. Who may perform maintenance on an aircraft under the supervision of an A&P mechanic?

1. A FAA pilot certificate holder.

2. A convict on work release from prison.

3. A pilot who had his airman certificate revoked.

A.1 only
B.1 and 3
C.1, 2, and 3

Ace

Can you correctly answer these questions from retired TWA captain and 28,000-hour pilot Barry Schiff?

6. Why is it that the cabin door on almost all single-engine airplanes with only one cabin door is on the right when it makes more sense for that door to be on the left (next to the pilot)?

7. For instrument-rated pilots: Unless otherwise specified, departure procedures (DPs) provide obstacle protection as long as the aircraft is at least _____ feet high as it crosses the departure end of the runway, does not turn until reaching _____ feet, and climbs at least _____ feet per nautical mile.

A. 35, 400, 200
B. 35, 500, 300
C. 50, 400, 200
D. 50, 500, 300

8. True or false? An absence of ground features such as water, darkened areas, and terrain made featureless by snow can create the same illusion during a straight-in, visual approach as when approaching a downhill runway. In each case, the pilot tends to perceive that the aircraft is at a lower altitude than it really is.

9. Many airplanes are equipped with electrical inverters. What is the purpose of an inverter?

10. A pilot flying a typical single-engine airplane experiences thick smoke in the cockpit. Until the problem causing the smoke has been resolved, what is usually the most effective way to evacuate smoke from the cockpit?

ANSWERS

1. The correct answer is A. Class B airspace requires the ability to communicate with ATC, to be seen and positively identified by ATC, and the capability to broadcast out certain flight parameters using automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast. (FARs 91.215(b) and 91.225(b) and (d))

2. The correct answer is C. Although still technically a second-class medical certificate, after 12 calendar months, a second-class medical “reverts” to a third-class medical. Therefore, when exercising private pilot privileges, a second-class medical certificate issued to a 38-year-old pilot on March 10 will expire on the last day of the same month, five years hence. (FAR 61.23(d))

3.The correct answer is B. Three takeoffs and three landings completed in an aircraft of the same category and class and within the last 90 days is required to act as PIC of an aircraft carrying any passenger. (FAR 61.57(a)(1))

4. The correct answer is A. Regardless of age of manufacture, VFR at night requires approved position lights, and no person may operate an aircraft from sunset to sunrise unless the aircraft has lighted position lights. (FAR 91.205(c)(2) and 91.209(a)(1))

5. The correct answer is C. Any person working under the supervision of a holder of a mechanic certificate may perform the maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations that the supervising mechanic is authorized to perform. (FAR 43.3(d))

6. It has to do with cockpit visibility. The door posts and adjacent vertical window frames are typically wider than just the window frames and cause more of an obstruction to visibility, which is why they are placed farther from the pilot (on the right side of the cabin). A rare exception is the Cessna P-210, which has a single door on the left.

7. The correct answer is A. Increased or unusual climb and/or turn criteria is published in certain DPs when necessitated by terrain or ATC requirements.

8. False. It is true that a pilot approaching a downhill runway tends to perceive his altitude as being lower than it really is (he tends to come in too high). A pilot approaching a runway over featureless terrain, however, tends to perceive his altitude as being higher than it really is (he tends to come in too low).

9. An inverter converts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) for those appliances requiring AC electrical power.

10. It usually is best to open a door or window on the right side of the cockpit. An opening on the pilot’s side (left) might cause evacuating smoke to pass in front of his face and worsen his ability to see and/or breathe.