Free Ground Instructor (Advanced) Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Ground Instructor (Advanced) practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A recreational pilot and one passenger split $240 in fuel, oil, airport charges, and aircraft rental for a flight. What is the minimum share the pilot may pay?

   1. A. $60
   2. B. $80
   3. C. $120
   4. D. $240

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 61.101(a)(2) says the pilot may "Not pay less than the pro rata share of the operating expenses of a flight with a passenger". Two occupants divide $240 equally, so the minimum pilot share is $120. The other amounts reflect dividing by four, dividing by three, or paying the full bill rather than the required minimum.

   Reference: 14 CFR Part 61 — Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors — § 61.101(a)(2)

2. 2A private pilot proposes flying alone to a business meeting and being paid by the employer for the flight. Which condition is necessary for the business-employment exception in § 61.113(b)?

   1. A. The flight must constitute the business's principal transportation service
   2. B. The flight must be only incidental to that business or employment
   3. C. The flight must constitute the pilot's principal compensated employment
   4. D. The flight must be offered as a transportation service to business customers

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The exception requires that "The flight is only incidental to that business or employment". The aircraft also cannot carry passengers or property for compensation or hire. Selling transportation instead of using it incidentally fails the exception.

   Reference: 14 CFR Part 61 — Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors — § 61.113(b)(1)–(2)

3. 3A pilot holds a commercial pilot certificate and is evaluating a proposed passenger-for-hire flight. What does that personal certificate confer concerning the operation's authorization?

   1. A. It supplies an air-carrier operating certificate authorizing scheduled passenger operations
   2. B. It supplies an on-demand operating certificate authorizing passenger charter operations
   3. C. It supplies a pilot-school operating certificate authorizing compensated flight-training operations
   4. D. It supplies personal piloting privileges subject to the qualifications applicable to the operation

   Answer: D

   Explanation: Section 61.133(a)(1) permits compensated piloting when the pilot is qualified under Part 61 and "the applicable parts of this chapter that apply to the operation". The personal airman certificate confers piloting privileges; it does not itself issue the operator an air-carrier, on-demand, or pilot-school operating certificate.

   Reference: 14 CFR Part 61 — Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors — § 61.133(a)(1)

4. 4An ATP who meets § 61.167(a)(2)'s qualifications will instruct another pilot in an aircraft under that ATP instructional authority. What aircraft control provision is specifically required?

   1. A. Functioning dual controls
   2. B. A single throwover control wheel
   3. C. A single pilot control station
   4. D. Coupled automatic flight controls

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 61.167(a)(2)(iv) permits this instruction only if the aircraft has "functioning dual controls". A single control station, a single throwover wheel, or coupled automatic controls does not replace that express dual-control requirement under the stated ATP instructional authority.

   Reference: 14 CFR Part 61 — Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors — § 61.167(a)(2)(iv)

5. 5A sport pilot plans to use an otherwise eligible four-seat airplane under sport-pilot privileges. What is the maximum number of passengers the pilot may carry?

   1. A. One passenger
   2. B. Two passengers
   3. C. Three passengers
   4. D. Four passengers

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 61.315(c)(4) prohibits "carrying more than one passenger." The airplane's seating eligibility does not increase the pilot's passenger privilege.

   Reference: 14 CFR Part 61 — Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors — § 61.315(c)(4)

6. 6A recreational pilot plans a flight to an airport 65 nautical miles from departure. The pilot's existing logbook qualification covers flights within 50 nautical miles. Which additional training and proficiency finding must an instructor document for the planned distance?

   1. A. The applicable cross-country training and proficiency requirements
   2. B. The applicable complex-airplane training and proficiency requirements
   3. C. The applicable tailwheel-airplane training and proficiency requirements
   4. D. The applicable high-performance training and proficiency requirements

   Answer: A

   Explanation: For a flight exceeding 50 nautical miles, § 61.101(c)(3) requires "a logbook endorsement" certifying proficiency in "the cross-country training requirements of subpart E". The required additional qualification concerns cross-country flying; complex, tailwheel, and high-performance aircraft endorsements address different aircraft operating qualifications.

   Reference: 14 CFR Part 61 — Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors — § 61.101(c)(1)–(3)

7. 7An aircraft salesperson holds a private pilot certificate and wants to demonstrate an airplane in flight to a prospective buyer. What is the minimum logged flight time specified for this privilege?

   1. A. 100 hours
   2. B. 150 hours
   3. C. 200 hours
   4. D. 250 hours

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 61.113(f) requires "at least 200 hours of logged flight time". The question asks the minimum, so a higher total is not the threshold.

   Reference: 14 CFR Part 61 — Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors — § 61.113(f)

8. 8A commercial airplane pilot lacks the applicable instrument rating and has the corresponding limitation on the certificate. Which proposed passenger-for-hire flight is within that limitation, assuming all other requirements are met?

   1. A. A daytime flight 40 nautical miles from departure
   2. B. A nighttime flight 40 nautical miles from departure
   3. C. A daytime flight 75 nautical miles from departure
   4. D. A nighttime flight 75 nautical miles from departure

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 61.133(b)(1) prohibits passenger carriage for hire "on cross-country flights in excess of 50 nautical miles or at night". Only the daytime 40-NM flight avoids both restrictions.

   Reference: 14 CFR Part 61 — Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors — § 61.133(b)(1)

9. 9An ATP instructs under § 61.167, excluding briefings and debriefings. What is the maximum combined aircraft, simulator, and flight-training-device instructional time in any 24 consecutive hours?

   1. A. 6 hours
   2. B. 8 hours
   3. C. 10 hours
   4. D. 12 hours

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 61.167(a)(3)(i) prohibits instruction "For more than 8 hours in any 24-consecutive-hour period". The question asks the maximum allowed duration.

   Reference: 14 CFR Part 61 — Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors — § 61.167(a)(3)(i)

10. 10A sport pilot has completed the required night training and endorsement but relies solely on a U.S. driver's license and does not meet BasicMed conditions. What additional medical qualification is needed for night privileges?

    1. A. A current driver's license supported by a recently renewed state vision examination
    2. B. A current medical certificate issued under Part 67 that meets applicable validity requirements
    3. C. An expired medical certificate supported by possession of a current state driver's license
    4. D. A pending medical application supported by a scheduled aviation medical examiner appointment

    Answer: B

    Explanation: Section 61.329(b) requires: "Either hold a medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter or meet the conditions of § 61.113(i) and the operation is conducted consistent with this section." Because this pilot does not meet those BasicMed conditions, a current Part 67 medical certificate is needed. A driver’s-license vision check, expired certificate, or pending application does not supply that certificate.

    Reference: 14 CFR Part 61 — Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors — § 61.329(b)