Free Sport Pilot Weight-Shift-Control Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Sport Pilot Weight-Shift-Control practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A sport pilot and one passenger split a recreational WSC flight's $180 bill, consisting entirely of aircraft rental and fuel. What is the minimum amount the pilot must pay?

   1. A. $45
   2. B. $60
   3. C. $90
   4. D. $120

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 61.315(b) states, "You must pay at least half the operating expenses of the flight." Half of $180 is $90. The listed expenses are eligible operating expenses.

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

2. 2Following a WSC landing accident, which isolated injury meets the NTSB serious-injury definition based on the fracture alone?

   1. A. A simple fracture of a toe
   2. B. A simple fracture of a finger
   3. C. A simple fracture of the nose
   4. D. A fracture of the femur

   Answer: D

   Explanation: Section 830.2 includes an injury that "results in a fracture of any bone (except simple fractures of fingers, toes, or nose)". A femur fracture qualifies; the three simple fractures listed as alternatives are expressly excepted.

   Reference: 49 CFR Part 830 — Aircraft Accident Notification and Reporting — §830.2, Serious injury, item (2)

3. 3On final approach in a WSC aircraft, a pilot is using a tri-color visual approach slope indicator. Which color indicates the aircraft is on the visual glide path?

   1. A. Red
   2. B. Amber
   3. C. White
   4. D. Green

   Answer: D

   Explanation: AIM 2-1-2 states, "the on glide path indication is green." For this tri-color system, red is below and amber is above the glide path; white is used in other visual approach-light systems.

   Reference: Aeronautical Information Manual — Airport Lighting Aids — AIM 2-1-2, Tri-color Systems

4. 4On short final in a WSC aircraft, wind shear abruptly changes a headwind to a tailwind. Before the pilot compensates, what immediate change should be expected?

   1. A. Increased airspeed and improved performance
   2. B. Decreased airspeed and improved performance
   3. C. Decreased airspeed and reduced performance
   4. D. Increased airspeed and reduced performance

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The PHAK states, "a headwind changing to a tailwind causes a decrease in airspeed and performance." The sudden loss of relative airflow is especially hazardous close to the ground.

   Reference: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge — Chapter 12: Weather Theory — Chapter 12, Low-Level Wind Shear, printed page 12-11

5. 5A WSC pilot is about to initiate a right turn during training. Which action should immediately precede the maneuver?

   1. A. Establish the bank, then scan the area to the right
   2. B. Look left while banking right to monitor the raised wing
   3. C. Look right and clear the area before initiating the turn
   4. D. Begin the turn while checking the area directly behind

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The WSC handbook states, "if a right hand turn is to be performed, the pilot must look right and clear the area before initiating any turn to the right." Clearing precedes the maneuver and is directed toward the intended turn.

   Reference: Weight-Shift Control Aircraft Flying Handbook — Chapter 1, Collision Avoidance, printed page 1-9

6. 6To enter a WSC takeoff-performance chart, the pilot first needs pressure altitude. Which altimeter setting permits a direct reading of that quantity?

   1. A. The current destination setting
   2. B. The departure field's QFE setting
   3. C. The nearest sea-level pressure setting
   4. D. The standard setting of 29.92 inHg

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The PHAK explains that with the altimeter set to the standard 29.92-inHg datum, "the altitude indicated is the pressure altitude". The source specifies that standard setting; local or destination settings do not provide the requested direct pressure-altitude reading.

   Reference: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge — Chapter 11: Aircraft Performance — Chapter 11, Pressure Altitude, printed page 11-3

7. 7A WSC aircraft's current basic empty weight is 550 lb and its maximum allowable gross weight is 1,100 lb. What useful load is available before adding occupants, baggage, and usable fuel?

   1. A. 1,650 lb
   2. B. 550 lb
   3. C. 1,100 lb
   4. D. 275 lb

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The PHAK defines useful load: "It is the basic empty weight subtracted from the maximum allowable gross weight." Thus 1,100 − 550 = 550 lb. Adding gives 1,650; using gross weight gives 1,100; halving the remaining load again gives 275.

   Reference: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge — Chapter 10: Weight and Balance — Chapter 10, Terms and Definitions, Useful load

8. 8A WSC aircraft encounters an aerodynamic stall at an airspeed above its published one-G stall speed. Which condition directly caused the stall?

   1. A. The wing exceeded its critical angle of attack
   2. B. The aircraft exceeded its normal trim airspeed
   3. C. The engine reached its maximum continuous rpm
   4. D. The aircraft exceeded its best-glide airspeed

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The WSC handbook states, "This is caused when the wing root exceeds its critical angle of attack. This can occur at any airspeed in any attitude with any power setting." Stall is controlled by angle of attack, rather than a single airspeed or engine setting.

   Reference: Weight-Shift Control Aircraft Flying Handbook — Chapter 6, Stalls, printed page 6-21

9. 9A WSC pilot feels compelled to continue a recreational flight because friends are waiting at the destination. In the PAVE checklist, which category contains that pressure?

   1. A. Pilot
   2. B. Aircraft
   3. C. Environment
   4. D. External pressures

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The PHAK states, "External pressures are influences external to the flight that create a sense of pressure to complete a flight—often at the expense of safety." Waiting friends create completion pressure rather than changing aircraft capability or weather.

   Reference: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge — Chapter 2: Aeronautical Decision-Making — Chapter 2, E = External Pressures

10. 10The Chart Supplement lists a runway as 3,000 feet long. A current NOTAM relocates its landing threshold 600 feet inward and closes that 600-foot approach-end portion. For a landing toward the relocated threshold, what runway length should a WSC pilot use for planning?

    1. A. 3,000 feet
    2. B. 600 feet
    3. C. 2,400 feet
    4. D. 3,600 feet

    Answer: C

    Explanation: AIM 2-3-3 states, "When a threshold is relocated, it closes not only a set portion of the approach end of a runway, but also shortens the length of the opposite direction runway." Apply the current closure to the published length: 3,000 − 600 = 2,400 feet. Using the unchanged length, the closed portion, or adding the closure gives the distractors.

    Reference: Aeronautical Information Manual — Airport Marking Aids and Signs — AIM 2-3-3, Relocation of a Threshold