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News & Media Final Exam

Final Exam

Test your knowledge

March 1, 2021

Checkride-ready

Illustration by Ryan SnookSee how you measure up to FAA standards with these questions from the AOPA Pilot Information Center.

  1. VFR approaches to land at night should be accomplished
    A. the same as during daytime.
    B. at a higher airspeed.C. with a steeper descent.
  2. A seaplane and a motorboat are on crossing courses. If the motorboat is to the left of the seaplane, which has the right-of-way?
    A. Both should alter course to the right.
    B. The motorboat.
    C. The seaplane.
  3. For internal cooling, reciprocating aircraft engines are especially dependent on
    A. a properly functioning thermostat.
    B. the circulation of lubricating oil.
    C. air flowing over the exhaust manifold.
  4. A first class medical certificate is issued to a 39-year-old pilot on January 10, this year. To exercise the privileges of a private pilot certificate, the medical certificate will be valid until midnight on
    A. July 31 this year.
    B. January 31, one year later.
    C. January 31, five years later.
  5. What is the definition of a high-performance airplane?
    A. An airplane with a normal cruise speed in excess of 200 knots.
    B. An airplane with an engine of more than 200 horsepower.
    C. An airplane with 180 horsepower, or retractable landing gear, flaps, and a fixed-pitch propeller.

Ace

Illustration by Ryan SnookCan you correctly answer these questions from retired TWA captain and 28,000-hour pilot Barry Schiff?

  1. With respect to flight in icing conditions, when the outside air temperature is between zero and minus 10 degrees Celsius, _____ type of structural ice can generally be expected; when the OAT is between minus 15 and minus 20 degrees Celsius, _____ type of ice can generally be expected.
  2. While listening to an air traffic control frequency, you overhear a pilot identifying himself as “Tango-Bonanza-Four-Six-Four-Alpha.” The use of tango indicates that the aircraft
    A. has at least one turbine engine.
    B. has two engines.
    C. is an air taxi flight.
    D. is turbocharged.
  3. What is the speed limit in the Class A airspace overlying Washington, D.C.?
  4. What is the difference between a helicopter and a gyroplane?
  5. True or false? Engine manufacturers urge pilots not to allow the manifold pressure (in inches) of naturally aspirated (non-turbocharged) engines to exceed propeller rpm (in hundreds).

Final Exam Answers

  1. The correct answer is A. The aircraft does not know that it is dark. It flies the same day or night. There is no sound logic in flying steeper or faster approaches at night, compared to flying during the day. (Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 10)
  2. The correct answer is C. When a seaplane is on the surface of the water, it is operating as a vessel and is subject to navigable waters regulations as well as FAA regulations. Although worded a bit differently, both FAR 91.115(b) and 33 CFR 83.15 (known as Rule 15), stipulate that if two vessels (or aircraft) are on a crossing course, the vessel (or aircraft) to the other’s right (starboard) has the right-of-way. The vessel on the left should give way to pass well clear.
  3. The correct answer is B. Unless water-cooled, an aircraft engine does not incorporate a thermostat like an automobile engine. Air flowing over the exhaust manifold is a common way to heat air for cabin and carburetor heat. However, it is the circulation of engine oil that provides internal engine cooling, and that’s why it is important to ensure the engine is always filled to its recommended capacity. (Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 7)
  4. The correct answer is C. If exercising private pilot privileges, a first class medical certificate issued to a 39-year-old pilot on January 10 will expire on the last day of the same month, five years hence. (FAR 61.23[d])
  5. The correct answer is B. FAR 61.31(f) defines a high-performance airplane as one that has an engine of more than 200 horsepower. Specific ground and flight training, and a one-time logbook endorsement, is required for any pilot to act as pilot in command of a high-performance airplane.
  6. Clear, rime. Mixed clear and rime generally can be expected between minus 10 and minus 15 degrees C. (FAA Advisory Circular 91-74B)
  7. The correct answer is C. According to the Aeronautical Information Manual, the prefix “Tango” is used by air taxi or other commercial operators that do not have FAA-authorized call signs (such as “American Twenty-Two”).
  8. The speed limit in Class A airspace over the nation’s capital is the same as in Class A airspace everywhere else over the United States. It is Mach 1.0, the speed of sound.
  9. The rotor of a helicopter is powered; the rotor of a gyroplane is not powered and turns by autorotation. The rotor in both cases, however, provides necessary lift.
  10. False. If this were true, every low-altitude takeoff would violate such a recommendation because this is when manifold pressure almost always exceeds rpm. The most reliable advice for operating an engine is found in the pilot’s operating handbook.

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