Private Pilot prep questions

Private Pilot Stage 1 Oral Exam

Certificates and Documents

• What personal documents must you have with you to fly solo?
• What documents are required to be on the aircraft for flight?
• How long is your medical certificate valid? Over 40?

4. How long is your student pilot certificate valid? 5. Do you have to carry your logbook with you on solo flights? 6. How long is your solo endorsement good for?

Airworthiness Requirements

• Who is responsible to determine that the aircraft is in an airworthy condition?

2. What preflight action is required by FAR §91.103? 3. What aircraft and equipment inspections are required to be done? 4. What equipment is required for day VFR flight (FAR §91.103)?

• If the landing light is inoperative, can you fly without it?
• What must be done with inoperative equipment?
• When do ELT batteries need to be replaced?

8. What is an Airworthiness Directive?

• What is an MEL? Do we have one?
• How do you determine if equipment installed on the aircraft is required or optional?
• Who is responsible to make sure that all inspections have been complied with?
• Who is ultimately responsible for the safe operation if the aircraft?

Operation of Aircraft Systems

• How much usable fuel does your aircraft have?
• What is the purpose of the mixture control?

3. What is a magneto and how is it used in this aircraft?

• What is the alternator for?

5. Why do you see an RPM drop when you apply carburetor heat during the engine run-up?

• What grades of fuel can be used in this aircraft?

7. What will happen if two different grades of fuel get mixed? 8. What do you do if you find water in the fuel on preflight?

• What is the temperature most conductive to carburetor icing?
• What type and horsepower engine does this aircraft have?

11. How many fuel pumps does this aircraft have? 12. When should you use the electric fuel pump? 13. How does the engine start? 14. What causes a spark plug to become fouled?

National Airspace System

• What type of airspace is the practice area in?

2. What are the cloud clearance requirements for class E? 3. What are the cloud clearance requirements for class G?

• Do you have to establish 2-way radio communications to enter class D?
• Do you need a transponder to fly in class E?
• Do you have to have a radio to operate in class E airspace? Class G?
• What altitude would you have to fly in the traffic pattern if the ceiling was reported 1200’?
• If the ceiling in the practice area was reported 2800’ overcast, what is the highest altitude you can fly?

Performance and Limitations

• Why do you need right rudder during climb out?
• What causes a stall?
• What causes a spin?

4. Why do you need rudder in a turn? 5. What is the spin recovery for this aircraft? 6. What is Vg for this aircraft? 7. What are the V speeds for this aircraft? 8. Compute a takeoff distance using today’s conditions.

FAR 91, AIM, Emergency and Safety Procedures

• Can you deviate from an FAR? When?

2. What actions are required if you do deviate from an FAR? 3. What actions will you take if you are in the practice area and lose communication? 4. What is the emergency frequency and squawk code? 5. If you and another aircraft are approaching head on, what action should you take? 6. In the traffic pattern, which aircraft has the right-of-way? 7. If an aircraft is being overtaken, which one has the right-of-way? 8. What is the minimum safe altitude you can operate over a city? Sparsely populated? 9. If you scuba dive, how long should you wait to fly?

• What do the regulations say about alcohol consumption and flying?

11. What is a NOTAM and when should you check them? 12. How high should you fly over a national wildlife refuge area? (Woodruff) 13. What is a common source of carbon monoxide in the cockpit? 14. What action should you take if you detect carbon monoxide in the cockpit? 15. What action do you take if you have a cockpit fire?

Private Pilot Stage 2 Oral Exam

Cross-Country Flight Planning

• How do you determine if your charts/AFD are current?
• How did you select a minimum safe altitude for this route?
• What factors did you consider when selecting your cruising altitude?
• What are the operating hours for the tower?
• If the tower is closed, what kind of airspace is at the airport?
• What is the ADIZ?
• What is a DVFR flight plan used for?

8. How do you find the frequency to initiate flight following from any airport?

• What will happen if you do not close your flight plan?
• What is the standard direction of traffic pattern turns?

11. Review flight log.

• What is variation?
• Are winds reported from true or magnetic north?
• What is true airspeed?
• How did you determine the temperature at your cruising altitude?

Weather Information

1. What are the different parts of an Area Forecast and how long is it valid for? 2. What is an AIRMET? 3. When an AIRMET S is issued it means the ceiling and visibility are below what? 4. How long is an AIRMET issued for? 5. What is a Convective SIGMET? 6. What type of weather is broadcast over HIWAS? 7. Where can you get HIWAS? 8. How long is a TAF report valid? 9. How large of an area does a METAR or TAF report cover? 10. How often does AWOS update? 11. How do you update your weather en-route? 12. What is EFAS? What altitude? 13. By how many miles does the AIM recommend you avoid a severe thunderstorm? AIM 7-1-29 14. What does it mean if the ceiling and visibility are omitted from the ATIS report? 15. What are the different types of weather briefings you can request from FSS?

• When would you use an abbreviated briefing?

17. How often does ATIS update? 18. How can you obtain a current altimeter setting in flight?

National Airspace System

• At Class G airports with control towers (LCQ), are you required to communicate with the tower if you are transitioning the airspace? Overflying?
• What airspace is along your route?
• What airspace is at your destination? Equipment and weather requirements?

4. Do you need a transponder to overfly Class C? Class D? 5. What are the different types of Class E airspace?

• What type of flight activities are conducted in an MOA?

7. How can you find out if a Restricted Area or MOA is active? 8. Can you fly thru a restricted area?

Performance and Limitations

• What will be some of the most significant disadvantages of operating an aircraft with a CG beyond the aft CG limits?
• How do you determine the temperature at your planned cruising altitude?

3. What airport is located at N29˚15.00’ and W81˚27.55’? 4. Calculate a takeoff distance from above airport using today’s weather conditions.

• What effect will high density altitude have on an aircraft?

6. What is the leaning procedure for this aircraft?

• What is Va?

8. What is the crosswind demonstrated limit for this aircraft? 9. What will increase load factor? 10. If load factor is increased, what happens to stall speed?

Operation of Systems

• What type of oil does your aircraft use?
• What grade of fuel does your aircraft use?

3. If you mix fuel grades, what happens? 4. How does carburetor heat work?

• Why does the use of carburetor heat result in a loss of performance?

6. Which gyros operate electrically? 7. What is a possible cause of detonation?

• Why is it important to lean the mixture?
• What is the fuel capacity of this aircraft?

10. Which instruments use the pitot static system? 11. Which instruments are gyros? 12. Are there any backup systems on this aircraft?

• Is it normal just after engine start to have high oil pressure and low oil temperature?

Aeromedical Factors

1. At what altitude does a pilot need to use oxygen? 2. What action do you take if you detect carbon monoxide in the cockpit? 3. How does carbon monoxide affect the body? 4. What are the symptoms of hypoxia? 5. What is the IMSAFE checklist?

FAR 91 and AIM

1. What preflight action is required by FAR §91.103?

• What are the fuel requirements for VFR flight?

3. What are the different NOTAM categories? 4. How high do you have to fly above a congested area? 5. When must you fasten your seatbelt? 6. Can you drop objects from an aircraft?

• What is the standard direction of traffic patterns?

Safety Practices and Procedures

1. Describe the lost procedure. 2. What is the emergency squawk code? 3. What is the emergency frequency? 4. What do you do if you lose communications in Class D airspace? 5. What do you do if you have an engine fire in flight? 6. If ATC assigns you a heading and altitude that you cannot maintain due to weather/cloud conditions, what should you do?

Special Emphasis Areas in PTS

• Explain the procedures for wake turbulence avoidance.
• If you receive a taxi clearance “taxi to runway 23”, what does it clear you to do?

3. What is the spin recovery procedure for this aircraft? 4. Where is the potential for stall/spin accidents the greatest? 5. Do you have to accept Land and Hold Short clearance from ATC?

Private Pilot Stage 3 Oral Exam

Certificates and Documents

1. How long is a First Class Medical good for?

• How long is a Third Class Medical good for?
• How do you change your address?
• How long do you have to notify the FAA of the change of address?

5. How do you replace a lost certificate? 6. How long is a temporary certificate valid for?

Airworthiness Requirements

• What is a special flight permit?
• Where do you get a special flight permit from?
• How long is an airworthy certificate valid?

4. How often does a transponder need to be inspected? 5. Where do you find AD’s?

• Scenario: Inop equipment requiring a ferry permit.
• What is a supplemental type certificate (STC)?

Weather Information

1. Is any hazardous weather expected for this trip? 2. What is the convective outlook? 3. What is HIWAS and how do you get it? 4. What valuable information can be obtained from a winds and temps aloft forecast? 5. What information can you get from a surface analysis chart? 6. How often are surface analysis charts issued? 7. What information can you obtain from a radar summary chart? 8. How often is an area forecast chart issued? 9. How does advection fog form? 10. How does radiation fog form? 11. What is the dew point? 12. What do you need for a thunderstorm to form? 13. How does having frost in the wings effect the aircraft?

Cross Country Flight Planning

• How did you select your enroute altitude?
• What is the lowest altitude you can safely fly this route?

3. What is the highest altitude you can fly this route, considering weather conditions?

• What is traffic pattern altitude at your destination?
• What directions are traffic patterns at your destination?

6. If you were to fly this route at night, would you change anything? 7. What color are airport beacons for civil land airports?

• How can you determine if there is fuel at your destination?

9. What does radar flight following provide to VFR aircraft?

National Airspace System

1. What is the maximum speed below 10,000 feet? 2. What is the maximum speed below Class B airspace? 3. Can you fly VFR at 19,500 feet? 4. When do you need a transponder? 5. Can you land VFR at a Class D airport with only 2 miles visibility?

• What is ADIZ?

7. What depicts a change in the floor of Class E airspace?

Performance and Limitations

1. How do you calculate takeoff distance for non paved runway? 2. What is the leaning procedure for your aircraft? 3. Can we take a 210 lb. passenger with us? 4. What is the takeoff distance over a 50 ft. obstacle? 5. What is pressure altitude? 6. How do you calculate TAS? 7. What is the temperature at 5000 feet? 8. What is density altitude today?

Operation of Systems

1. What horsepower engine is in your aircraft? 2. How many spark plugs are there? 3. What is the purpose of having 2 magnetos? 4. What is the purpose of having an alternator? 5. What grade fuel does your aircraft use? 6. What type of oil does your aircraft use?

FAR/AIM

1. Can you drop objects from your aircraft? 2. What is considered careless and reckless operation of an aircraft? 3. When must you use your seatbelt? 4. Can you operate an aircraft in formation flight? 5. Can you takeoff in an aircraft with any frost on any surface?

Private Pilot End of Course Oral Exam

Certificates and Documents

• What personal documents must you have in your possession to act as PIC?

2. Does your flight certificate expire? 3. What should you do if you lose your flight certificate?

• How long do you have to notify for a change of address?

5. What currency requirements must be met to vary passengers? 6. What are the limitations to your private pilot certificate? 7. What flight time are you required to log in your logbook? 8. Are you required to carry your logbook with you on all flights?

• How long is your medical certificate good for? Over 40 years?

10. With your private pilot SEL certificate, can you fly any SEL aircraft?

• What is considered a complex or high performance aircraft?

12. Can you carry a passenger that is under the influence (FAR §91.17)?

• Can your passengers pay for any part of the flight?

Airworthiness Requirements

• What documents are required to be on the aircraft during flight?

2. When should you compute weight and balance (FAR §91.103)? 3. What aircraft / equipment inspections are required? 4. When do ELT batteries need to be replaced (FAR §91.207)? 5. What minimum equipment is required for day VFR flight (FAR §91.205)? 6. What equipment is required for night VFR flight? 7. What is a minimum equipment list (MEL) (FAR §91.213)? 8. Does your aircraft have an MEL? 9. What is an Airworthiness Directive (AD)? 10. Who is responsible to make sure all AD’s are complied with? 11. What is a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)? 12. What preflight action is required by FAR §91.103?

• Who has the final authority for the operation of an aircraft?

Weather Information

1. What types of weather conditions are AIRMET Sierras issued for? 2. What is a convective SIGMET? 3. What is a PIREP? 4. What is EFAS? Freq? 5. What is ceiling / visibility is considered marginal VFR? 6. What are the different parts of an Area Forecast and how long is it valid for? 7. What kind of weather is broadcast on HIWAS? (AIM 7-1-10) 8. What kind of information can be obtained from a surface analysis chart? 9. How would you update your weather in flight? 10. How do you determine the wind at your altitude? 11. How do you determine the temperature at your enroute altitude? 12. What are the different types of weather briefings you can obtain form FSS? 13. When would you use an abbreviated briefing? Outlook? 14. How often are surface analysis charts updated? 15. What is considered a severe thunderstorm and by how many miles should you avoid it? (AIM 7-1-29) 16. How often is AWOS updated? 17. How often is ATIS updated?

Cross Country Flight Planning

1. What type if information would L,D and FDC NOTAMs be issued for? 2. How do you determine if your charts and AFD are current? 3. What is a DVFR flight plan? (AIM 5-1-5) 4. How do you determine the minimum safe altitude for your route? 5. What are the fuel requirements for cross country flight? 6. What is the difference between Pilotage and dead reckoning? 7. What would you change about your planned trip if it was to be flown at night? 8. What colors are beacons at civil airports? 9. If you see an airport beacon flashing 2 white and then a green, what does that mean? 10. How will you open your flight plan for this flight? 11. Where can you find the frequencies to initiate flight following for this flight? 12. Where do you find the operating hours for a control tower that does not operate 24 hours? 13. What happens to the airspace at Class D airport when the tower is closed? 14. Do you have to contact the tower at Lake City (LCQ) to takeoff or land? (Class G with control tower) (FAR§91.127 15. How do you get to the FBO?

National Airspace System

1. Identify and explain basic VFR weather minimums for Class B,C,D and E airspace. (AIM 3-3-1) 2. What is Special VFR clearance, and when should you request one? (FAR §91.157) 3. What are the dimensions on Class C airspace? (FAR §91.130 AIM 3-2-4) 4. At what altitude does Class A airspace begin? (FAR §91.135 AIM 3-2-2) 5. Can you fly VFR in Class A airspace? 6. What equipment and pilot certification is required to fly into Class B airspace? (FAR§91.131 AIM 3-2-3) 7. What are the different types of special use airspace? (AIM 3-4-1) 8. How do you find times and altitudes of use for an MOA or Restricted Area? 9. Do you have to contact anyone to fly thru an MOA? 10. What is an MTR? (AIM 3-5-2) 11. What is the ADIZ? 12. At what altitude is a transponder required?

Performance and Limitations

1. Calculate W&B for this flight with pilot, co-pilot, rear seat passengers (150 lbs) and 50 lbs baggage. 2. What will be some of the most significant disadvantages of operating the aircraft with CG beyond the aft limit? 3. Compute a takeoff distance over 50ft. obstacle using current weather. 4. What effect will high density altitude have on aircraft performance? 5. Why does high density altitude decrease performance? 6. What is VA? 7. What are the effects of operating an aircraft over gross weight? 8. What is VX used for? 9. If severe turbulence is encountered, what should you do? 10. What is the fuel consumption of this aircraft? 11. How do you compute TAS? 12. What is the maximum range of your aircraft? 13. What is the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for this aircraft?

Operation of Systems

1. Which instruments use the pitot static system?

• Where is the static port located on this aircraft?

3. Where does the attitude indicator derive its power? 4. How do the magnetos work? 5. On the runup, if you are checking the mags and you see no drop in RPM, what could this mean? 6. What will happen if you run with mixture full rich for an extended period of time at high altitude?

• What will happen if you run the mixture too lean?

8. What is detonation and what can you do to prevent it?

• What is the purpose of using wing flaps?
• Why does this aircraft not have an electrical fuel pump?

11. Where is the battery located?

• What is the total fuel capacity for this aircraft?

13. Are there any hydraulic systems on this aircraft? 14. What causes carburetor icing?

• Can you develop carburetor icing at 65˚F?

16. How does the cabin heat work? 17. What is the alternator used for?

• What type of oil does this aircraft use?

19. Why does the use of carburetor heat result in a performance loss?

Aeromedical Factors

1. What is hypoxia and how do you recognize the symptoms? 2. What is hyperventilation? 3. When is ear block normally encountered and how do you remedy it? (AIM 8-1-2) 4. How do you overcome vertigo? 5. What are the most common sources of carbon monoxide in the cockpit? 6. What is the maximum blood alcohol content allowed to exercise the privileges of a pilot certificate? 7. May you fly with a hangover? (FAR §91.17 AIM 8-1-1) 8. How long should you wait after scuba diving before flying? (AIM 8-1-2) 9. Can you carry a passenger under the influence? (FAR §91.17) 10. What are the oxygen requirements? 11. Describe the IMSAFE checklist?