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Private Pilot Airplane (PAR) practice questions with answers

15 free practice questions for the Private Pilot Airplane (PAR) 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 91.3, who is directly responsible for, and the final authority on, the operation of an aircraft?

    • AAir traffic control
    • BThe aircraft owner
    • CThe pilot in command
    • DThe FAA inspector
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) The pilot in command

    • AIncorrect. ATC provides services; the PIC is responsible.
    • BIncorrect. The PIC has final authority in flight.
    • CCorrect. The PIC is the final authority on the operation of the aircraft.
    • DIncorrect. The PIC is responsible.

  2. Question 2 · Pilot Qualifications, Airworthiness and Regulations

    A private pilot wants to fly a friend for a business meeting and accept full payment for the flight. Is this allowed?

    • AYes, if the pilot has more than 200 hours
    • BYes, if the friend pays only in cash
    • CYes, if the flight is shorter than 100 nautical miles
    • DNo; private pilots can't fly for compensation or hire
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) No; private pilots can't fly for compensation or hire

    • AIncorrect. Hours don't change private pilot limits.
    • BIncorrect. Payment method doesn't matter.
    • CIncorrect. Distance doesn't matter.
    • DCorrect. Only pro rata cost sharing with shared purpose is allowed.

  3. Question 3 · Pilot Qualifications, Airworthiness and Regulations

    Above what cabin pressure altitude must each passenger be provided supplemental oxygen?

    • A15,000 feet MSL
    • B12,500 feet MSL
    • C10,000 feet MSL
    • D18,000 feet MSL
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) 15,000 feet MSL

    • ACorrect. 14 CFR 91.211 requires oxygen be provided to occupants above 15,000 feet.
    • BIncorrect. That begins crew requirements.
    • CIncorrect. This is a recommended altitude, not this rule.
    • DIncorrect. This is the Class A floor.

  4. Question 4 · Weather Information

    In a winds and temperatures aloft (FB) forecast, '9900' means:

    • ALight and variable
    • BWind from 990°
    • C99 knots from north
    • DMissing data
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Light and variable

    • ACorrect. 9900 indicates wind light and variable (less than 5 knots).
    • BIncorrect. This is a code, not a direction.
    • CIncorrect. This is not the meaning.
    • DIncorrect. It means light and variable.

  5. Question 5 · Weather Information

    A pilot decoding a METAR sees the remarks "RMK AO2 SLP145 T01170083". What does "AO2" tell the pilot about the reporting station?

    • AIt is an automated station that has a precipitation discriminator
    • BIt is an automated station that lacks a precipitation discriminator
    • CIt is a station whose present weather sensor is out of service
    • DIt is a station where an observer is adding to the automated report
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) It is an automated station that has a precipitation discriminator

    AO1 and AO2 in METAR remarks describe the type of automated station. AO2 means the station has a precipitation discriminator and AO1 means it does not.

    • ACorrect. AO2 identifies an automated station with a precipitation discriminator, which can tell liquid precipitation from frozen or freezing precipitation.
    • BIncorrect. That is AO1. An AO1 station cannot tell precipitation types apart.
    • CIncorrect. A failed present weather sensor is reported with a separate maintenance remark (PWINO), not with AO2.
    • DIncorrect. AO2 describes what kind of automated station sent the report. It does not mean a person is adding to the observation.

  6. Question 6 · Weather Information

    Which combination of conditions must be present for a thunderstorm to form?

    • ASufficient water vapor, an unstable lapse rate, and an initial lifting action
    • BSufficient water vapor, a stable lapse rate, and strong surface heating
    • CAn unstable lapse rate, an initial lifting action, and a large temperature-dew point spread
    • DHigh humidity, a low-level temperature inversion, and light surface winds
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Sufficient water vapor, an unstable lapse rate, and an initial lifting action

    Thunderstorms need three things: enough moisture, an unstable lapse rate, and a lifting action that starts the air rising.

    • ACorrect. A thunderstorm needs sufficient moisture, unstable air and a lifting action, such as a front, terrain or surface heating, to start the air rising.
    • BIncorrect. Stable air resists vertical motion, so the deep convection needed for a thunderstorm does not develop. Instability is required.
    • CIncorrect. A large spread means dry air. Without enough moisture, the rising air releases too little latent heat to build a thunderstorm.
    • DIncorrect. An inversion indicates stable air that caps vertical development. These conditions favor fog and haze, not thunderstorms.

  7. Question 7 · Cross-Country Planning and Navigation

    Why should a pilot calculate a new ETA after passing each checkpoint?

    • ATo satisfy a requirement to radio ATC at each checkpoint
    • BTo check groundspeed and catch fuel or wind problems early
    • CTo reset the heading indicator to true north at each checkpoint
    • DTo update the aircraft's weight and balance
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) To check groundspeed and catch fuel or wind problems early

    • AIncorrect. VFR pilots needn't report every checkpoint.
    • BCorrect. Comparing planned and actual times reveals errors.
    • CIncorrect. Heading indicators are set to magnetic headings.
    • DIncorrect. Fuel burn changes weight but that's separate.

  8. Question 8 · Cross-Country Planning and Navigation

    An airplane flies at a groundspeed of 105 knots for 40 minutes. How far does it travel?

    • A60 nautical miles
    • B42 nautical miles
    • C105 nautical miles
    • D70 nautical miles
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) 70 nautical miles

    • AIncorrect. Recheck: 105 × 0.667.
    • BIncorrect. That uses 40% instead of two-thirds of an hour.
    • CIncorrect. That's one full hour.
    • DCorrect. 105 × (40 ÷ 60) = 70 NM.

  9. Question 9 · National Airspace System

    On a sectional chart, a dashed magenta line around an airport indicates:

    • ASurface Class E
    • BClass D airspace
    • CClass B airspace
    • DA prohibited area
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Surface Class E

    • ACorrect. Dashed magenta shows Class E airspace beginning at the surface.
    • BIncorrect. Class D is dashed blue.
    • CIncorrect. Class B is solid blue.
    • DIncorrect. This uses a different symbol.

  10. Question 10 · National Airspace System

    Under 14 CFR 91.225, ADS-B Out is generally required in:

    • AOnly over water
    • BAll Class G airspace
    • COnly Class A airspace
    • DClass B and C airspace
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) Class B and C airspace

    • AIncorrect. This is not the rule.
    • BIncorrect. Class G generally does not require it.
    • CIncorrect. It is required in more than Class A.
    • DCorrect. It is required in Class B and C and certain other airspace, such as above 10,000 MSL.

  11. Question 11 · Performance, Limitations and Aerodynamics

    Operating an airplane above maximum gross weight results in:

    • ABetter climb rate
    • BShorter takeoff roll
    • CHigher stall speed
    • DLower landing speed
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) Higher stall speed

    • AIncorrect. Climb worsens.
    • BIncorrect. The roll gets longer.
    • CCorrect. More weight raises stall speed, lengthens takeoff and reduces climb.
    • DIncorrect. Landing speed increases.

  12. Question 12 · Performance, Limitations and Aerodynamics

    What is the load factor in a level, coordinated 60° banked turn?

    • A2 G
    • B1 G
    • C1.5 G
    • D3 G
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) 2 G

    • ACorrect. At 60° of bank, load factor is 1 ÷ cos 60° = 2 G.
    • BIncorrect. This is straight-and-level flight.
    • CIncorrect. This is about a 48° bank.
    • DIncorrect. This needs about 70° of bank.

  13. Question 13 · Operation of Systems

    Flying from a warm area into much colder air without resetting the altimeter, the airplane will be:

    • ALower than the altimeter indicates
    • BHigher than the altimeter indicates
    • CAt exactly the indicated altitude
    • DUnable to read altitude at all
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Lower than the altimeter indicates

    • ACorrect. Cold air is denser, so true altitude is lower.
    • BIncorrect. Cold air makes the altimeter read high.
    • CIncorrect. Temperature affects true altitude.
    • DIncorrect. The altimeter still works.

  14. Question 14 · Human Factors

    During a cross-country flight, your passenger says she is starting to feel airsick. Which action is most likely to help relieve her symptoms?

    • AHave her focus on a chart or tablet inside the cabin to take her mind off it
    • BOpen the fresh-air vents and have her look at the distant horizon
    • CHave her turn her head often to help you scan for traffic
    • DFly a few gentle S-turns so she can adapt to the motion
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Open the fresh-air vents and have her look at the distant horizon

    Fresh air and a view of the distant horizon reduce visual-vestibular conflict and relieve airsickness. Reading, head movements and extra maneuvering make it worse.

    • AIncorrect. Reading or visual scanning inside the cabin increases the mismatch between what the eyes and the inner ear sense, and it tends to make motion sickness worse.
    • BCorrect. A horizon view reduces the conflict between vision and the vestibular system, and fresh air on the face helps relieve symptoms. Smooth, gentle flying helps too.
    • CIncorrect. Frequent head movements stimulate the vestibular system and tend to worsen motion sickness. Avoiding head movements is a recommended countermeasure.
    • DIncorrect. Habituation comes from repeated exposure over time, not from extra maneuvering once symptoms have started. More maneuvering adds motion and makes symptoms worse.

  15. Question 15 · Airport Operations

    What do threshold stripes painted at the start of a runway indicate?

    • AThe runway's length in thousands of feet
    • BThe runway's width, by the number of stripes
    • CThe number of available taxiway exits ahead
    • DHow many aircraft may hold on the runway at once
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) The runway's width, by the number of stripes

    • AIncorrect. Distance remaining signs show length.
    • BCorrect. More stripes mean a wider runway.
    • CIncorrect. Stripes don't count exits.
    • DIncorrect. Stripes mark width, not capacity.

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Original questions written from the official exam outline. Not affiliated with FAA; never copied from the real exam.