Private Pilot Airplane — Information & Free Practice
US · Examination information
100 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required
Private Pilot Airplane
- Provider
- PSI
- Format
- Computer-delivered multiple-choice knowledge examination; one correct response per question.
- Exam questions
- Total questions: 65; Scored questions: 60; Unscored questions: 5; The total includes the scored and unscored questions.
- Time limit
- 120 minutes, including unscored validation questions.
- Passing score
- 70% correct.
Examination outline
Preflight Preparation (22%)
- Pilot Qualifications
- Airworthiness Requirements
- Weather Information
- Cross-Country Flight Planning
- National Airspace System
- Performance and Limitations
- Operation of Systems
- Human Factors
- Water and Seaplane Characteristics, Seaplane Bases, Maritime Rules, and Aids to Marine Navigation (ASES, AMES)
Preflight Procedures (13%)
- Preflight Assessment
- Flight Deck Management
- Engine Starting
- Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL)
- Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES)
- Before Takeoff Check
Airport and Seaplane Base Operations (7%)
- Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems
- Traffic Patterns
Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds (20%)
- Normal Takeoff and Climb
- Normal Approach and Landing
- Soft-Field Takeoff and Climb (ASEL)
- Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL)
- Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb (ASEL, AMEL)
- Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL)
- Confined Area Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb (ASES, AMES)
- Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES)
- Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES)
- Glassy Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES)
- Rough Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES)
- Rough Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES)
- Forward Slip to a Landing (ASEL, ASES)
- Go-Around/Rejected Landing
Performance and Ground Reference Maneuvers (3%)
- Steep Turns
- Ground Reference Maneuvers
Navigation (8%)
- Pilotage and Dead Reckoning
- Navigation Systems and Radar Services
- Diversion
- Lost Procedures
Slow Flight and Stalls (8%)
- Maneuvering During Slow Flight
- Power-Off Stalls
- Power-On Stalls
- Spin Awareness
Basic Instrument Maneuvers (7%)
- Straight-and-Level Flight
- Constant Airspeed Climbs
- Constant Airspeed Descents
- Turns to Headings
- Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes
- Radio Communications, Navigation Systems/Facilities, and Radar Services
Emergency Operations (7%)
- Emergency Descent
- Emergency Approach and Landing (Simulated) (ASEL, ASES)
- Systems and Equipment Malfunctions
- Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear
- Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES)
- Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES)
- Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES)
Night Operations (3%)
- Night Operations
Postflight Procedures (2%)
- After Landing, Parking, and Securing (ASEL, AMEL)
- Seaplane Post-Landing Procedures (ASES, AMES)
Examination sources
- FAA PAR and CAX Applicant Information
main content, alignment paragraph and bulletin links
- PAR Applicant Information Bulletin
p.4, complete Content Area / Corresponding ACS / % of Items table and double-asterisk footnote
- Private Pilot for Airplane Category ACS
printed p.i, supersession statement
- Private Pilot for Airplane Category ACS
printed p.66, Private Pilot Airplane Knowledge Test Table, introductory statement
- Private Pilot for Airplane Category ACS
printed p.67, first paragraph
- Private Pilot for Airplane Category ACS
printed p.67, References paragraph
- FAA Airman Certification Standards adoption list
ACS List, Private Pilot for Airplane Category row
- 14 CFR 61.105 Aeronautical knowledge
61.105(a)–(b)(13), complete aeronautical knowledge list
- FAA Recreational Pilot and Private Pilot Knowledge Tests
How should I prepare for the knowledge test?
- Private Pilot for Airplane Category ACS
printed p.55, Area IX Task F, knowledge element PA.IX.F.K6
- Private Pilot for Airplane Category ACS
printed p.76, Appendix 2: Safety of Flight, Multiengine Considerations, feathering/shutdown and zero-thrust safety paragraph (indexed blocks 4713..4719)
- PAR Applicant Information Bulletin
p.4, Private Pilot Airplane Test Specifications, assessment table
- PAR Applicant Information Bulletin
p.4, asterisk footnote to assessment table
- ACS Companion Guide for Pilots
printed p.3, Airman Knowledge Test Description
- FAA ACS Knowledge Test Table: Correct Allotted Times
p.1, explanatory paragraph and PAR row of correction table
- FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix
p.2, Validation Questions
- PAR Applicant Information Bulletin
p.6, Examination Results
- PAR Applicant Information Bulletin
p.2, Internet Scheduling, opening and steps 1–2
- ACS Companion Guide for Pilots
printed p.2, Steps for Knowledge Test Registration, steps 1–5
- PAR Applicant Information Bulletin
p.4, Authorization for the PAR test
- FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix
p.13, Recreational & Private Pilot, PAR row (Test Code / Test Name / Number of Questions / Age / Allotted Time / Passing Score)
- PAR Applicant Information Bulletin
p.2, Required Identification at Examination Site
- 14 CFR 61.35
61.35(a)(1)
- PAR Applicant Information Bulletin
p.2, Canceling an Examination Appointment
- ACS Companion Guide for Pilots
printed p.2, Steps 3–5, Select Test and Testing Center / Select an Available Time Slot / Pay for Test
- FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix
p.1, General Requirements, identification notes
- FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix
p.13, Acceptable forms of retest authorization, failure note