Private Pilot Practice Test: FAA Written Exam (PAR) Questions

899 practice questions across the 14 knowledge areas of the Private Pilot Airplane ACS: regulations, weather, airspace, navigation, performance, systems, aerodynamics, airport operations, aeromedical factors, takeoffs, landings, stalls and emergencies. We wrote every question from the FAA's own handbook and regulations, and each answer links the exact page or rule it comes from. The real test is 60 questions in 2 hours at 70%.

The real test: 60 questions in 2 hours. 42 right (70%) passes.

Passing score: FAA knowledge test passing score (70%), the codes on your test report, and retesting

Here: 899 questions. Our own practice questions, written from the FAA's Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Aviation Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28B), the AIM, 14 CFR parts 61 and 91, and the FAA-CT-8080-2H testing-supplement figures, all U.S. government works. Topics follow the Private Pilot Airplane ACS (FAA-S-ACS-6C). Not the FAA's test questions. Free.

What's on the test

"On the test" is the rough share of a 60-question test for each topic; the FAA's mix changes from test to test.

10 sample questions

1. Who is directly responsible for, and the final authority as to, the operation of an aircraft?

   • A.The pilot in command
   • B.The flight instructor who signed the pilot off
   • C.Air traffic control
   Show answer

   A. The pilot in command

   PAR-413 · Regulations (14 CFR 61 and 91) · 14 CFR 91.3

2. What does the red line on the airspeed indicator mark?

   • A.The maximum flap speed
   • B.The best glide speed
   • C.The never-exceed speed
   Show answer

   C. The never-exceed speed

   PAR-197 · Airworthiness, documents and maintenance · PHAK page 232

3. What is the standard sea level pressure and temperature?

   • A.29.92 inches of mercury and 32 °F
   • B.29.92 inches of mercury and 59 °F
   • C.30.00 inches of mercury and 70 °F
   Show answer

   B. 29.92 inches of mercury and 59 °F

   PAR-58 · Weather theory · PHAK page 289

4. What is a METAR?

   • A.An in-flight hazard advisory
   • B.A 24- or 30-hour forecast for the airspace within 5 statute miles of an airport
   • C.An observation of current surface weather in a standard international format
   Show answer

   C. An observation of current surface weather in a standard international format

   PAR-109 · Weather reports, forecasts and briefings · PHAK page 316

5. What is the scale of a sectional chart?

   • A.1:1,000,000, so 1 inch is about 14 NM or 16 statute miles
   • B.1:100,000
   • C.1:500,000, so 1 inch is about 6.86 NM or 8 statute miles
   Show answer

   C. 1:500,000, so 1 inch is about 6.86 NM or 8 statute miles

   PAR-292 · Navigation and cross-country planning · PHAK page 389

6. Class A airspace is generally:

   • A.From 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL 600
   • B.From the surface to 10,000 feet MSL
   • C.From 1,200 feet AGL to 14,500 feet MSL
   Show answer

   A. From 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL 600

   PAR-134 · Airspace · PHAK page 377

7. Which of these is an effect of flying an overloaded airplane?

   • A.A lower stalling speed, because the wing is working harder and making more lift at every speed
   • B.Higher takeoff speed, longer takeoff run, reduced climb and a higher stalling speed
   • C.Better maneuverability
   Show answer

   B. Higher takeoff speed, longer takeoff run, reduced climb and a higher stalling speed

   PAR-157 · Performance, weight and balance · PHAK page 246

8. In a four-stroke reciprocating engine, the order of the strokes is:

   • A.Intake, power, compression, exhaust
   • B.Power, intake, compression, exhaust
   • C.Intake, compression, power, exhaust
   Show answer

   C. Intake, compression, power, exhaust

   PAR-27 · Aircraft systems and instruments · PHAK page 163

9. Which four forces act on an airplane in flight?

   • A.Thrust, drag, lift and weight
   • B.Power, friction, lift and gravity
   • C.Thrust, pitch, roll and yaw
   Show answer

   A. Thrust, drag, lift and weight

   PAR-1 · Aerodynamics · PHAK page 98

10. At a towered airport, pilots are required to:

    • A.Self-announce position and intentions on the CTAF, since the tower only handles IFR traffic
    • B.Fly a right-hand pattern
    • C.Maintain two-way radio communication with ATC and acknowledge and comply with instructions
    Show answer

    C. Maintain two-way radio communication with ATC and acknowledge and comply with instructions

    PAR-223 · Airport operations, radio and ATC · PHAK page 336

What the study guide does

• Short study rounds and flip cards.
• A practice test built like the real one: 60 questions, 42 to pass.
• Pass Meter: your chance of passing if you sat the test today, worked out from your own answers.
• An explanation for every answer.