Final Exam

Checkride ready

See how you measure up to FAA standards with these questions from the AOPA Pilot Information Center.

1. The best speed to use for a power-off glide is one that will result in the greatest forward distance for a given amount of
   A. Weight.
   B. Fuel.
   C. Altitude.
2. When a distress or urgency condition is encountered, the pilot of an aircraft with a coded radar beacon transponder who desires to alert a ground radar facility should squawk code
   A. 7500
   B. 7700
   C. 1200
3. Which aircraft has the right of way over all other air traffic?
   A. A balloon.
   B. An aircraft in distress.
   C. An aircraft on final approach to land.
4. If a pilot cannot obtain the current altimeter setting at takeoff, what should the altimeter be set to?
   A. 29.92 inches mercury.
   B. Pressure altitude.
   C. Airport elevation.
5. While operating under VFR flight following in controlled airspace, ATC assigns a heading and altitude for a segment of the flight. The pilot
   A. Must comply with those instructions.
   B. Need not comply with those instructions as flight following is optional.
   C. Must comply with the altitude assignment but not the heading.

Ace

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

6. When an aircraft is equipped with dual airspeed indicators, why are their respective pitot tubes installed on opposite sides of the fuselage?
7. True or false? The pilot can spin-up one or more wheels before landing when flying some U.S.-produced general aviation airplanes.
8. A pilot uses the natural horizon to recover from a steep, 180-degree right turn. The conventional attitude indicator will have precessed slightly during the turn and show a
   A. climbing left turn.
   B. climbing right turn.
   C. descending left turn.
   D. descending right turn.
9. Why is the reference line on a conventional magnetic compass called a lubber line?
10. Why do some pilots routinely chock their airplanes in their hangars?

Final Exam Answers

1. The correct answer is C. Best glide speed maximizes altitude lost with the greatest gain in forward distance. Typically expressed as a ratio such as 8:1, or 8 feet of forward distance for every foot of altitude loss. The greater the ratio, the farther the aircraft can glide. Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 9
2. The correct answer is B. Transponder code 7700 normally triggers an alarm or special indicator at all ATC control positions. Unless already in contact with ATC, pilots should then immediately establish communications with an ATC facility. Aeronautical Information Manual 6-2-2
3. The correct answer is B. Balloons have the right of way over any other category of aircraft and an aircraft on landing approach has the right of way over other aircraft in flight, but an aircraft in distress has the right of way over all other air traffic. FAR 91.113(c)
4. The correct answer is C. If unable to receive a current altimeter setting from an ATIS or AWOS station, or ATC, the altimeter should be set to field elevation prior to takeoff. AFH, Chapter 2
5. The correct answer is A. Although VFR flight following is optional and initiated by the pilot, any ATC clearance or instruction issued to the pilot must be complied with. If complying would cause the pilot to violate any regulation such as flying too close to or into a cloud, the pilot must advise ATC. FAR 91.123(b)
6. Certification regulations specify that they are far enough apart to preclude the possibility of one bird strike decommissioning both.
7. True. Some Learjets have a nosewheel spin-up system that is used before landing on unpaved runways to prevent rocks from being thrown into the engine inlets during touchdown.
8. The correct answer is A. The error usually is at a maximum following a 180-degree turn and at a minimum after a 360-degree turn.
9. Also called a lubber’s line, it makes steering a ship easier for the inexperienced helmsman or lubber, a contemptuous name given to a sailor on his first voyage.
10. They live in areas most susceptible to earthquakes.