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FAA · CAX

Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX) practice questions with answers

15 free practice questions for the Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX) Knowledge Test, spread across the exam's topics. Try each one, then open the answer to see why every option is right or wrong.

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  1. Question 1 · Pilot Qualifications, Airworthiness and Regulations

    Under 14 CFR 61.31, when is a type rating required to act as PIC?

    • AFor any airplane with retractable gear
    • BFor all complex airplanes regardless of weight
    • CFor airplanes over 12,500 lb or turbojet-powered
    • DFor all multiengine airplanes under 6,000 lb
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) For airplanes over 12,500 lb or turbojet-powered

    • AIncorrect. That's a complex endorsement matter.
    • BIncorrect. Complex needs only an endorsement.
    • CCorrect. Some other aircraft are also specified.
    • DIncorrect. Weight and turbojet power are the triggers.

  2. Question 2 · Pilot Qualifications, Airworthiness and Regulations

    Under 14 CFR 91.319(a), unless a listed exception applies, no person may operate an aircraft that has an experimental airworthiness certificate:

    • ACarrying persons or property for hire in operations requiring a Part 119 certificate
    • BCarrying any passenger, even on a noncommercial flight for the owner's personal use
    • CWhile conducting flight tests to show compliance with airworthiness requirements
    • DWith a pilot in command who holds a private pilot certificate rather than commercial
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Carrying persons or property for hire in operations requiring a Part 119 certificate

    14 CFR 91.319(a) prohibits operating an experimental aircraft for any purpose other than the one its certificate was issued for. It also prohibits carrying persons or property for compensation or hire in operations that require a Part 119 certificate or that fall under the other listed categories.

    • ACorrect. 91.319(a)(2)(i) prohibits carrying persons or property for compensation or hire in operations that require an air carrier or commercial operator certificate under Part 119.
    • BIncorrect. 91.319 doesn't ban carrying persons on noncommercial flights. The Administrator may set limits on who can be carried, but a blanket ban on passengers isn't the rule.
    • CIncorrect. Showing compliance with airworthiness requirements is one of the purposes an experimental certificate is issued for. 91.319(a)(1) bans operating for purposes other than the one the certificate was issued for, not for that purpose.
    • DIncorrect. 91.319 doesn't require a commercial pilot certificate to fly an experimental aircraft. The pilot just needs the certificate and ratings that the operation requires.

  3. Question 3 · Pilot Qualifications, Airworthiness and Regulations

    How can a NASA ASRS report help a pilot after an inadvertent violation?

    • AIt erases the event from all FAA records
    • BIt can limit FAA penalties for qualifying events
    • CIt replaces NTSB accident reporting
    • DIt grants a free flight review
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) It can limit FAA penalties for qualifying events

    • AIncorrect. It limits penalties under conditions.
    • BCorrect. The program encourages safety reporting.
    • CIncorrect. Accident reporting rules still apply.
    • DIncorrect. It doesn't affect flight reviews.

  4. Question 4 · Weather Information

    What weather is usually associated with high pressure?

    • AWidespread thunderstorms
    • BGenerally fair weather with sinking air
    • CStrong, gusty winds and blowing dust in all cases
    • DContinuous freezing rain
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Generally fair weather with sinking air

    • AIncorrect. Storms are more typical of lows and fronts.
    • BCorrect. Sinking air discourages clouds.
    • CIncorrect. Highs often bring light winds.
    • DIncorrect. That isn't typical of highs.

  5. Question 5 · Weather Information

    The remarks section of a METAR contains "AO1." Compared with a station that reports "AO2," what capability does this automated station lack?

    • AA precipitation discriminator to tell liquid from frozen precipitation
    • BA human observer who augments and backs up the automated report
    • CA pressure sensor capable of reporting the altimeter setting
    • DA sensor that reports the prevailing visibility at the station
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) A precipitation discriminator to tell liquid from frozen precipitation

    AO1 means an automated station without a precipitation discriminator. AO2 means one with a discriminator, which can tell liquid from frozen or freezing precipitation.

    • ACorrect. AO1 marks an automated station without a precipitation discriminator. AO2 stations have one and can tell liquid precipitation from frozen or freezing precipitation.
    • BIncorrect. AO1 and AO2 both describe the type of automated station, and neither indicates human augmentation. The difference between them is the precipitation discriminator.
    • CIncorrect. AO1 and AO2 stations both report altimeter settings. The AO1/AO2 label is about precipitation-type capability, not pressure sensing.
    • DIncorrect. Both types of automated station report visibility. The AO1/AO2 label shows only whether the station can tell precipitation types apart.

  6. Question 6 · Cross-Country Planning and Navigation

    In the Northern Hemisphere, when turning from a north heading, the magnetic compass initially:

    • ALags the turn
    • BLeads the turn
    • CShows correctly
    • DSpins freely
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Lags the turn

    • ACorrect. Northerly turning error.
    • BIncorrect. That's turning from south.
    • CIncorrect. It lags in northerly turns.
    • DIncorrect. It lags in northerly turns.

  7. Question 7 · Cross-Country Planning and Navigation

    True course is 045°, TAS 100 knots and wind 315° at 20 knots. About what true heading should be flown?

    • AAbout 034°
    • BAbout 056°
    • CAbout 045°
    • DAbout 015°
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) About 034°

    • ACorrect. A left crosswind needs about 11° of left correction.
    • BCorrection must be into the wind.
    • CIncorrect. A crosswind requires correction.
    • DIncorrect. That over-corrects.

  8. Question 8 · National Airspace System

    A pilot plans a VFR flight that will penetrate an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the contiguous United States. Which set of requirements applies under 14 CFR Part 99?

    • AFile and activate a DVFR flight plan, operate a transponder with altitude reporting, and keep a listening watch on a working two-way radio
    • BFile a standard VFR flight plan, with a two-way radio required only when the aircraft is above 2,500 feet AGL
    • CSquawk code 1200 and monitor 121.5 MHz, since VFR aircraft inside an ADIZ are exempt from filing a flight plan
    • DObtain an IFR clearance and an IFR flight plan, since VFR penetration of an ADIZ is not permitted under Part 99
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) File and activate a DVFR flight plan, operate a transponder with altitude reporting, and keep a listening watch on a working two-way radio

    Under 14 CFR Part 99, VFR flight into an ADIZ requires a DVFR flight plan (99.11), a functioning two-way radio with a continuous listening watch (99.9), and an operating transponder with altitude reporting (99.13).

    • ACorrect. Under 99.11, VFR flight plans must be designated as DVFR. Section 99.9 requires a functioning two-way radio with a continuous listening watch. Section 99.13 requires the transponder to be operated, with altitude reporting equipment in the contiguous U.S. ADIZ.
    • BIncorrect. The flight plan must be designated DVFR. Part 99 requires a functioning two-way radio for operation into an ADIZ at any altitude.
    • CIncorrect. Section 99.11 requires a flight plan to be filed, activated and closed for operations into or within an ADIZ, and VFR flights are included.
    • DIncorrect. VFR flight into an ADIZ is permitted on a DVFR flight plan, so an IFR flight plan is not required.

  9. Question 9 · Performance, Aerodynamics and Maneuvers

    P-factor causes a left-turning tendency mainly at:

    • AIdle descent
    • BLow power cruise
    • CHigh angle of attack
    • DZero angle of attack
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) High angle of attack

    • AIncorrect. It's strongest at high AOA.
    • BIncorrect. It's strongest at high AOA.
    • CCorrect. The descending blade takes a bigger bite.
    • DIncorrect. It's strongest at high AOA.

  10. Question 10 · Performance, Aerodynamics and Maneuvers

    Retracting flaps abruptly at low airspeed can cause:

    • ALower stall speed
    • BInstant climb
    • CSudden sink
    • DNo change
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) Sudden sink

    • AIncorrect. Stall speed rises.
    • BIncorrect. Lift drops.
    • CCorrect. Retract gradually with adequate speed.
    • DIncorrect. Lift drops.

  11. Question 11 · Operation of Systems and High-Altitude Operations

    What does an impulse coupling on a magneto do?

    • ACharges the battery during cruise
    • BAdvances the ignition timing for full takeoff power
    • CGives a stronger, retarded spark for starting
    • DFeeds fuel to the cylinders
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) Gives a stronger, retarded spark for starting

    • AIncorrect. Magnetos don't charge batteries.
    • BIncorrect. It retards timing for starting.
    • CCorrect. It helps start at low cranking speed.
    • DIncorrect. Magnetos provide spark.

  12. Question 12 · Operation of Systems and High-Altitude Operations

    On approach in an airplane with electrically actuated retractable gear, the gear does not extend when selected down. The gear circuit breaker is in and the master switch is on. What should the pilot do next?

    • AExtend the gear using the alternate or emergency extension procedure in the POH/AFM
    • BAccelerate above VLE so that increased air loads help force the gear into the down position
    • CPlan an immediate gear-up landing at the nearest airport to minimize time airborne
    • DTurn the master switch off and on repeatedly to reset the gear motor and its relay
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Extend the gear using the alternate or emergency extension procedure in the POH/AFM

    If the electric gear won't extend after basic checks (circuit breaker, master), use the POH/AFM emergency or alternate extension method. A gear-up landing is the last resort.

    • ACorrect. Retractable-gear airplanes have an emergency means of extension for when the normal power source fails, such as a manual crank, a free-fall release or stored pressure. The POH/AFM procedure should be flown before considering a gear-up landing.
    • BIncorrect. Exceeding VLE or VLO can damage the gear and doors. Emergency procedures usually call for flying at or below a specified airspeed, not above the gear limits.
    • CIncorrect. A gear-up landing is the last resort, used only after the emergency extension procedure has failed. It is not the next step.
    • DIncorrect. Cycling the master is not a gear-extension procedure. It can drop other electrical equipment and lose time when the pilot should be running the POH alternate-extension checklist.

  13. Question 13 · Human Factors

    The antidote for the 'resignation' hazardous attitude is:

    • AFollow the rules
    • BNot so fast
    • CI'm not helpless
    • DIt could happen to me
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) I'm not helpless

    • AIncorrect. That's anti-authority.
    • BIncorrect. That's impulsivity.
    • CCorrect. You can make a difference.
    • DIncorrect. That's invulnerability.

  14. Question 14 · Airport Operations

    When ATC issues a hold-short instruction, the pilot must:

    • ACross the runway
    • BIgnore it if clear
    • COnly acknowledge 'roger'
    • DRead it back
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) Read it back

    • AIncorrect. Hold short.
    • BIncorrect. Comply and read back.
    • CIncorrect. Read it back.
    • DCorrect. Hold-short instructions require readback.

  15. Question 15 · Emergency Operations

    For an engine fire in flight, a typical first step is to:

    • AIncrease power
    • BShut off fuel
    • COpen cabin heat
    • DClimb steeply
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Shut off fuel

    • AIncorrect. Cut fuel first.
    • BCorrect. Then follow the POH checklist.
    • CIncorrect. That can admit smoke.
    • DIncorrect. Prepare for a forced landing.

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