Free Commercial Pilot Glider Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Commercial Pilot Glider practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A pilot holds a commercial pilot certificate with a glider rating and proposes to carry a paying passenger. Under § 61.133(a)(1), what governs the pilot's authority to conduct that flight?

   1. A. The commercial certificate supplies the operating authority, subject to the flight manual's aircraft limitations.
   2. B. The pilot must be qualified under Part 61 and the other applicable regulations governing the operation.
   3. C. The pilot must hold a flight instructor certificate and satisfy its applicable experience and operating requirements.
   4. D. The pilot must hold an airline transport certificate and the applicable operating qualifications for the flight.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 61.133(a)(1)(i) permits carrying persons for hire "provided the person is qualified in accordance with this part and with the applicable parts of this chapter that apply to the operation". A commercial certificate alone does not establish compliance with every regulation applicable to the proposed passenger flight.

   Reference: 14 CFR Part 61 — Commercial Pilot Privileges and Limitations — § 61.133(a)(1)(i)

2. 2During a steep maneuver, a glider stalls at an indicated airspeed higher than its usual straight-flight stall speed. Which aerodynamic condition directly produces the stall?

   1. A. The wing exceeds its critical angle of attack.
   2. B. The wing reaches its maximum lift-to-drag ratio.
   3. C. The glider reaches its minimum-sink airspeed.
   4. D. The glider reaches its maximum rate of turn.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The handbook states, "A stall occurs when the angle of attack exceeds the critical angle of attack." Airspeed varies with loading, but the critical angle of attack is the controlling aerodynamic condition. The other performance points do not define a stall.

   Reference: Glider Flying Handbook — Aerodynamics of Flight — Chapter 3, p. 3-14, Figure 3-20

3. 3A glider pilot evaluates atmospheric stability from a sounding. An unsaturated parcel displaced upward reaches a temperature of 11 °C. Which surrounding-air temperature at that level would make the parcel cooler than its surroundings and tend to return it downward?

   1. A. 9 °C.
   2. B. 13 °C.
   3. C. 11 °C.
   4. D. 7 °C.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The handbook states, "In scenario B, the lifted parcel at 3,000 feet AGL has cooled to a lower temperature than the surrounding air and will descend." At 13 °C, the surrounding air is warmer than the 11 °C parcel, producing the restoring response. At 11 °C the comparison is neutral; at 9 °C or 7 °C the parcel is warmer and tends to keep rising.

   Reference: Glider Flying Handbook — Glider Flight and Weather — Chapter 9, p. 9-9, atmospheric stability

4. 4For a glider loading calculation, a 180-pound occupant is at an arm of −20 inches from the datum. What signed moment should the pilot enter?

   1. A. Negative 3,600 pound-inches.
   2. B. Positive 3,600 pound-inches.
   3. C. Negative 9 pound-inches.
   4. D. Negative 200 pound-inches.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The handbook gives "Weight × Arm = Moment." Thus 180 × (−20) = −3,600 pound-inches. The positive result loses the arm's sign, −9 divides rather than multiplies, and −200 combines the magnitudes by addition rather than calculating a moment.

   Reference: Glider Flying Handbook — Glider Performance — Chapter 5, p. 5-16, Sample Weight & Balance Problems

5. 5A glider pilot uses a performance chart requiring pressure altitude and temperature. Field elevation is 1,600 feet MSL, the pressure-correction table gives +112 feet, and outside temperature is 85 °F. A separate chart gives density altitude as 3,500 feet. Which altitude-temperature pair belongs in the performance chart?

   1. A. 1,488 feet and 85 °F.
   2. B. 1,600 feet and 85 °F.
   3. C. 3,500 feet and 85 °F.
   4. D. 1,712 feet and 85 °F.

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The handbook's chart example states, "This step provides a current pressure altitude of 1,712 feet." Apply the supplied correction: 1,600 + 112 = 1,712 feet. The chart uses that pressure altitude with the measured 85 °F, rather than subtracting the correction, omitting it, or substituting density altitude.

   Reference: Glider Flying Handbook — Glider Performance — Chapter 5, p. 5-1, Density Altitude, Figure 5-1 worked example

6. 6During a glider cross-country flight, a pilot fixes position by matching a lake, road junction, and town to the sectional chart. Which navigation method is being used?

   1. A. Dead reckoning.
   2. B. Radio navigation.
   3. C. Satellite navigation.
   4. D. Pilotage.

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The handbook states, "Pilotage is navigation by reference to landmarks or checkpoints." Matching visible terrain to the sectional is pilotage, rather than position derived primarily from elapsed-time computation or radio/satellite signals.

   Reference: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge — Navigation — Chapter 16, p. 16-12, Pilotage

7. 7A glider equipped with a VOR receiver is about to use a station for navigation. Which reception positively identifies the VOR?

   1. A. A voice weather transmission originating from the associated Flight Service Station.
   2. B. The station's Morse identifier or its recorded automatic VOR voice identifier.
   3. C. An approach controller's radio transmission referring to the VOR station's name.
   4. D. A database-generated expected station identifier displayed by the VOR receiver.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The AIM states, "The only positive method of identifying a VOR is by its Morse Code identification or by the recorded automatic voice identification". Associated broadcasts and an expected database label alone do not confirm the transmitted station identity.

   Reference: Aeronautical Information Manual — Navigation Aids — AIM 1-1-3, VOR identification

8. 8On a glider's wing, the pilot deploys panels that rise only from the upper surface, disturb the airflow, and increase the descent rate. Which devices match the handbook's description?

   1. A. Ailerons.
   2. B. Spoilers.
   3. C. Flaps.
   4. D. Dive brakes.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The handbook states, "Spoilers extend from the upper surface of the wings, alter the airflow, and cause the glider to descend more rapidly." It distinguishes dive brakes as extending from upper and lower surfaces. Ailerons and flaps are trailing-edge controls, so spoilers match these upper-surface panels.

   Reference: Glider Flying Handbook — Components and Systems — Chapter 2, p. 2-2, Lift/Drag Devices

9. 9While aerotowing a glider, the towplane rocks its wings deliberately. What does this emergency signal direct the glider pilot to do?

   1. A. Check the glider for an abnormal configuration.
   2. B. Move to the low-tow position and continue towing.
   3. C. Release the tow rope immediately.
   4. D. Move to the left of the towplane and rock the glider's wings.

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The handbook states, "The tow pilot rocks the wings of the towplane to request an immediate release by the glider pilot." Rudder waggling instead signals a glider problem to check, and moving left while rocking the glider's wings signals that the glider cannot release.

   Reference: Glider Flying Handbook — Abnormal and Emergency Procedures — Chapter 8, p. 8-2, Mechanical Failures and Figure 8-1

10. 10A properly equipped commercial glider is approaching Class B airspace. What ATC authorization must be received before operating within it?

    1. A. A traffic-advisory service acknowledgment from the controller.
    2. B. A two-way radio exchange acknowledging the glider's callsign.
    3. C. An ATC clearance for operation in that Class B airspace.
    4. D. A radar-identification response and a discrete transponder code.

    Answer: C

    Explanation: Section 91.131(a)(1) states, "The operator must receive an ATC clearance from the ATC facility having jurisdiction for that area before operating an aircraft in that area." A traffic-service acknowledgment, established two-way communications, or radar identification with a code does not by itself constitute the Class B entry clearance.

    Reference: 14 CFR Part 91 — Flight Rules — § 91.131(a)(1)