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Recreational & Private Pilot Knowledge Test Questions

Recreational and private pilot licenses allow people to fly aircraft for pleasure, fun, travel and transportation. To qualify for these entry-level licenses in the United States, individuals must meet the Federal Aviation Administration's training and testing requirements. The FAA's requirements include several hours of flight training and classroom-style learning sessions. Additionally, prospective recreational and private pilots must pass a verbal test, flight test and a computer-based knowledge test to earn licenses. The knowledge tests consist of a number of questions from several aviation-related categories.

Aircraft Systems and Aerodynamics
- Pilots need to know what makes their aircraft work. For this reason, the FAA private and recreational knowledge tests include several questions on "aircraft systems," which are the components that enable airplanes, helicopters and other air vehicles to fly. They also include questions on "aerodynamics," the forces that keep aircraft aloft. Specifically, the FAA knowledge tests will ask about the makeup of an aircraft engine, the basic layout of an air vehicle's fuel and oil systems and the principles of airflow over an airplane's or helicopter's wings or rotors. Additionally, the tests ask students to describe the induction, compression, power and exhaust -- the four-stroke cycle -- that causes a reciprocating aircraft engine to function.
Navigation
- Private and recreational pilots must also have the ability to navigate their aircraft to their intended destinations. The FAA's knowledge tests include questions on navigation by visual references and aeronautical chart symbology. Additionally, the FAA knowledge tests include questions on the use of electronic navigational aids, including very high frequency omnidirectional radios, nondirectional beacons and global positioning systems. Also, the navigation portion of the private and recreational pilot knowledge tests ask individuals to perform basic time, speed and distance calculations.
FAA Regulations and Weather
- It is crucial for pilots to know and abide by FAA rules and regulations. For this reason, the private and recreational knowledge tests include a number of questions on these rules. Specifically, the tests contain questions on regulatory items such as day and night currency, visibility requirements, carrying passengers and time between alcohol use and flight. Additionally, these knowledge tests include questions on aviation weather and forecast products. Specifically, the tests will ask questions about METARs, TAFs and area forecast, as well as questions related to general weather safety, such as the recommended distance pilots should fly around thunderstorms.
Aeromedical Factors
- Pilots must also be aware of the medical and physiological factors surrounding their ability to safely control aircraft. Because of this, the private and recreational computer-based knowledge tests include several questions on aeromedical factors and flight physiology. Specifically, the tests include questions on the effects of alcohol, drugs and medications on the human body, the impact fatigue has on pilot performance and how respiratory illness and congestion affects individuals at altitude.

Aviation