Free FAA Flight Navigator Knowledge Test Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the FAA Flight Navigator Knowledge Test practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A navigator is preparing to serve aboard a U.S.-registered civil aircraft on a domestic flight. Under 14 CFR 63.3(d), the required second-class or higher medical certificate must have been issued within what preceding period?

   1. A. 6 months
   2. B. 12 months
   3. C. 24 months
   4. D. 36 months

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 63.3(d) requires a medical certificate issued "within the preceding 12 months." Thus a navigator serving in this domestic operation must satisfy the 12-month requirement, regardless of longer periods that may apply to other medical privileges.

   Reference: 14 CFR Part 63—Certification: Flight Crewmembers Other Than Pilots — §63.3(d)

2. 2A navigator plans a 360-NM cruise leg at 200 knots TAS with a direct 20-knot headwind and a constant fuel flow of 600 lb/hour. What cruise fuel is required, excluding climb, taxi, and reserve?

   1. A. 981.8 lb
   2. B. 1,080 lb
   3. C. 1,188 lb
   4. D. 1,200 lb

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The handbook states, "GS determines the time the flight will take." Groundspeed is 200 − 20 = 180 knots; time is 360/180 = 2 hours; fuel is 2 × 600 = 1,200 lb. Using TAS yields 1,080; adding the wind yields 981.8; adding 10% to the no-wind fuel yields 1,188.

   Reference: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge—Chapter 16: Navigation — Chapter 16, Navigation; Fuel Consumption

3. 3A forecast discussion describes small vertical displacements growing into vigorous convection along the route. Which atmospheric characteristic does this behavior indicate?

   1. A. Absolute stability
   2. B. Instability
   3. C. Neutral stability
   4. D. Isothermal stratification

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The FAA states, "In an unstable atmosphere, small vertical air movements tend to become larger". Growing displacements indicate instability rather than damped or unchanged vertical motion.

   Reference: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge—Chapter 12: Weather Theory — Chapter 12, Weather Theory; Atmospheric Stability

4. 4A navigator plans to use a single ground site providing VOR azimuth, TACAN azimuth, and TACAN distance. What facility designation describes that integrated site?

   1. A. VOR/DME
   2. B. VORTAC
   3. C. NDB
   4. D. ILS/DME

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The AIM defines a VORTAC as providing "VOR azimuth, TACAN azimuth and TACAN distance (DME) at one site." VOR/DME does not add TACAN azimuth; an NDB or ILS/DME is a different facility configuration.

   Reference: Aeronautical Information Manual—Navigation Aids — ¶1-1-6, VORTAC

5. 5A navigator needs pressure altitude as an input to an aircraft performance chart. What altimeter setting produces a pressure-altitude indication?

   1. A. 28.92 inHg
   2. B. 29.82 inHg
   3. C. 30.00 inHg
   4. D. 29.92 inHg

   Answer: D

   Explanation: Pressure altitude is indicated when the barometric scale is "adjusted to 29.92" inches of mercury. A local pressure setting would instead reference the indication to local conditions.

   Reference: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge—Chapter 8: Flight Instruments — p.8-6, Types of Altitude—Pressure altitude

6. 6At 1410 UTC, a navigator records a fix with 210 NM remaining on a leg. The best groundspeed estimate is 140 knots. With no further speed change, what is the estimated arrival time?

   1. A. 1510 UTC
   2. B. 1540 UTC
   3. C. 1550 UTC
   4. D. 1610 UTC

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The handbook directs, "To find the time (T) in flight, divide the distance (D) by the GS." Here 210/140 = 1.5 hours, or 90 minutes, so 1410 + 0130 = 1540 UTC. Truncating to one hour gives 1510; treating .5 hour as 50 minutes gives 1550; rounding up to two hours gives 1610.

   Reference: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge—Chapter 16: Navigation — Chapter 16, Navigation; Basic Calculations; Time T = D/GS

7. 7At the instant of a celestial observation, a body's declination is 20° N and its GHA is 315°. What is the body's geographical position?

   1. A. 20° N, 45° W
   2. B. 20° S, 45° E
   3. C. 20° N, 45° E
   4. D. 20° S, 45° W

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Bowditch states that declination equals GP latitude and, for GHA greater than 180°, "its explement (360°- GHA) is equal to the longitude (east)." Therefore the GP is 20° N and 360 − 315 = 45° E.

   Reference: The American Practical Navigator, Volume I — §2000, Circles of Equal Altitude, p.348

8. 8An aircraft is west of a VOR on its 270° radial. For direct inbound tracking with a conventional CDI, which selected course and TO/FROM indication correspond to the station?

   1. A. 270° with FROM
   2. B. 090° with FROM
   3. C. 270° with TO
   4. D. 090° with TO

   Answer: D

   Explanation: A VOR radial is "a line of magnetic bearing extending outward from the VOR station." The inbound course is the reciprocal of the outward 270° radial, so select 090° with TO. Heading may differ for wind correction.

   Reference: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge—Chapter 16: Navigation — Chapter 16, Navigation; Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR); radial definition

9. 9A navigator measures a straight route segment of 2 inches on a sectional chart whose stated scale is 1 inch = 6.86 NM. What ground distance does the segment represent?

   1. A. 3.43 NM
   2. B. 6.86 NM
   3. C. 13.72 NM
   4. D. 16.00 NM

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The FAA gives the sectional scale as "1 inch = 6.86 nautical miles (NM)". Multiplying 2 × 6.86 gives 13.72 NM. The other results halve the scale, omit the measured length, or use the approximate statute-mile scale.

   Reference: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge—Chapter 16: Navigation — p.16-2, Sectional Charts

10. 10A navigator hears several voice transmissions on a tuned VOR frequency. Which transmission can positively identify the VOR itself?

    1. A. An FSS voice briefing that gives the parent FSS name
    2. B. An approach-control voice message that gives the airport name
    3. C. An automatic station-name recording followed by the word VOR
    4. D. A recorded weather report that gives the associated airport name

    Answer: C

    Explanation: The AIM specifies "the recorded automatic voice identification" with VOR following the range name. A live FSS or approach-control message can be remoted through a differently named facility; a weather report identifying an airport does not authenticate the VOR transmitter itself.

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